[pallin]

I agree with Clifford Parker. Whittling is typically done with a knife while holding the piece in your hands. Most whittlers learn to cut with the muscles of their hands, a squeezing motion pulling the blade toward the thumb. I disagree with those who say whittling has no preplanned result. Whittling is more than making shavings.
Carving is a broader category of woodworking typically done with specialized carving tools, using cutting strokes away from the body which involve the arm, shoulder and chest muscles. The work may require using mallets to drive the tools thru the wood, or powercarving machines. The work usually needs to be secured to the workbench to resist the forces applied. Chip carving, like whittling, is a specific type of carving done with knives.

[Mitchell]

Check "Similar Threads" below for previous discussions on the same subject.

[Kenny_S]

Depends on if'n ya spit tabacy or nots! If'n you does spit, it be called WHITTLING and ya belongs in thatthere Spit an Whittlin Club. If'n ya dosen't spit, ya belongs in the No Spit and Whittlin Club. Ya hear!
Nah, I ain't gots no edgufication. Don't need one no how since I doesn't work no more.Just sit a spell and spit and whiddle a Oppps whiddle is makin peepee, Sorry or is it piddle.

Nos madder, Eyes doesn't care what ya call me as longs as ya calll me to viddle time. Ya hear!!!!!

[Just Carving]

Youse bitter'n not be spittin in de house or youse gonna git a whuppin up de side of yer head--an' dat's gonna durn will schmart, ya hear?

[K. Ellenburg]

Well I havent been able to make any thing wittlin or carving, except something that looks like a tooth pick and cost my 18 dollars in wood, what category would that be in in wittlin or carving?

[Smokey]

I believe that would make you a darn good beginner. Afterall a toothpick(flat ones) require 2 flat planes as well as smooth sides, no sharp ends. The round ones are even tougher, requiring a tapered radius(tough to do), smooth sides, no sharp ends. Wow--I'd say you are doing fine. I believe the worse thing a beginner can do is to attempt a project that is too advanced. That will surely lead to discouragement. Heck give yourself a break, experiment, try different woods,different techniques. Above all be careful and have fun.

[Just Carving]

If you want to do something that will help you in the end, pick up a stick--about 1 1/2" sq., and try to carve a perfectly round end--like a half sphere. Basically you're rounding off all the corners. Then carve the other half of the sphere. Then roll it across the table. I found that to teach me about the wood, the knife, and to visualize roundness. Do that a few times, then you can tell everybody you haven't lost your marbles!

Bob L

[K. Ellenburg]

My wife asked me the other day, " what are you making" and I said nothing its just practice, but I think if I had a few more tools it would go a lot easier. LOL

[Just Carving]

And just in time for Easter! You're learnin'! LOL

[JimSawyer]

And don't forget wood sculpture.