A Simple Man

There was a time when every boy carried with him not a Play Station but a pocket knife.  Mine was a small Queen Steel #43 with a blue and white bone handle.  It could be found in my pocket most of the time during my pre-teen years, including when I was at school.  Incredibly this did not lead to murder and mayhem or a visit from Homeland Security.

Though they cannot carry them everywhere the way I did, my sons both have pocket knives and an interest in learning to use them.  It was for this reason that I ordered The Little Book of Whittling: Passing Time on the Trail, on the Porch, and Under the Stars by Chris Lubkemann.  Chris learned to carve as a boy during his parents’  service as missionaries in South America.  He is currently the resident woodcarver at the Amish Farm and House in Lancaster, Pennsylvania – so he knows what he’s doing.

Despite his level of expertise, however, this book is very useful for the layman and the projects it contains are within reach of the average father and son who want to explore the world of wood carving.  Lubkemann begins the book with an introduction to whittling, how to choose wood, how to choose a knife and most importantly how to use a knife safely.  There’s a section on sharpening and honing as well as one covering the carving strokes needed to complete basic projects.

A few of the whittling projects we completed. The knife on the far right was made by my 11 year old son, the other two items by me.

Among the projects in the book are a knife, a spoon, birds and other animals and even a miniature canoe.  Each project is clearly illustrated and easy to follow.  My sons and I made several different versions of the knife and I even tried to make a spoon .  We’re by no means experts yet – as I’m sure you can tell from the picture – but we enjoyed ourselves and spent many peaceful hours on the deck this summer working on our carvings.

I recommend this book to anyone with a desire to learn to carve.  Whittling is an excellent way to spend time with your kids, while also teaching them something useful.   In addition, it helps them to realize that fun doesn’t always have to come with a high price tag or a user interface.  Perhaps they in turn will pass this wisdom on to their own sons one day.

Carnival of Family Life at Colloquium