[mdallensr]

The carvers and groups I know in Ohio don't refer to themselves as whittlers. We have carving classes, clubs, shows, and seminars, but I've not seen anyone promote whittling. Mostly, I've heard that whittling is passing time making chips. We have a bigger issue here about traditional hand carving vs. power carving. I think the chip carvers have the best approach, since you can chip carve just about anywhere and anytime, without a lot of 'stuff'. It combines the social aspects of whittling with the end results of carving.

[quote author=M. D. Allen, Sr. link=board=Beginner;num=1096263418;start=0#10 date=09/27/04 at 12:48:10]Mostly, I've heard that whittling is passing time making chips.[/quote]

Take your favorite bench or pocket knife and a stick of wood, whittle a ball-in cage with an chain attaching it to a fan bird without reaching for a skew, chisel, or gouge and then you will know the REAL meaning of 'passing time making chips', and whittling.

Maybe I'm a bit thin skinned because of my love of whittling but many of my whittling projects are far more complicated than my carvings.

Here's how I define what I do (doesn't necessarily apply to others).
When I'm using a knife and palm tools, I'm whittling.
When I'm using full sized tools and a mallet, I'm carving.
When I'm using my foredom, I'm grinding (don't do much grinding, can't stand the noise).

[Kenny_S]

Thin skinned or thick skinned, does it really matter? Mostly non carvers don't have an understanding of what it takes to whittle or carve. Personally, It makes no difference to me if I whittle or carve. However, I never seen my whittleing grandfather or others draw his own patterns , precut blanks, or have a plan when They CARVED on a stick.

Hey Dave, I just had to respond to this subject again. I have good friends that get together to talk, and they do the same thing, get out a very sharp knife, and whittle a stick to nothing, seeing how thin a shaving they can make. They came to me looking for whittling sticks, and I gave them a lot of chunks of dry wood. It is something I thought was unique to these people, but apparently not. They enjoy it, so what the heck.