Whittling Twigs and Branches

I have been very pleased. One of the few "how to" books to learn a skill that I have come across that can actually do the job straight from the book without already having some skill or personal lessons to go along with it. I have been having fun making animals and leaving them around for my children to find.

The full color pictures are great in showing step by step how to carve. My boys are 10 & 12 and are learning how to carve! Sometimes they fight over the book. Maybe we'll have to order another one!!

Folks, whittling ain't carving and this book should not be confused with that art form. Whittling is a way to keep your mind and hands busy without watching the [...] tube. The author does a good job of passing on his skills to other whittlers. Twig whittling is an inexpensive way of creating a little give-away art for the people you come into contact with during lifes journey. Materials cost little or nothing; what else could you ask? Very detailed instructions, illustrations are informative and authors advice is invaluable. If you enjoy giving your pocket knife a workout while spending quality time inside your own mind, this book is worth the price.

For anyone who likes to go for nature walks and collect twigs and branches and do some whittling with them, then this is the book to get. Easy to follow and read, very good.

I recently purchased this book after seeing Chris Lubkemann demonstrate his rooster carving techniques on the FYI channel. With the help of this book and a little previous wood working experience, I was able to whittle three roosters and a hen from branches collected in my own yard. This book is a tidy, complete, well-illustrated user's guide to whittling twigs and branches. He provides clear step-by-step instructions, and openly shares his opinions and experiences with various types of wood, knives, finishes, etc. As with all really good reference works, I find myself going back and forth between whittling and re-reading the book. I learn something new with each closer look at these pages. Lubkemann's rocking chair philosophy explores what an average person can accomplish with a twenty-dollar pocket knife and a few branches that are absolutely free. I applaud not only his uncluttered approach to this noble craft, but his genuine desire to pass it along to anyone who is interested. An aside: this book is an excellent gift idea for anyone interested in folk art, woodcraft, or chickens.