Whittling Walking Sticks

Peter Benson set up the Essex School of Woodcarving in 1996. He travels often and runs many workshops overseas as well as judging competitions around the world. He writes regularly for woodcarving journals and is the author of The Art of Carving Netsuke, Whittling Handbook and Woodland Whittling published by GMC Publications. Peter is based in Essex.

The book begins with an overview of all the tools and materials you’ll need to get started. Whittling is a very accessible craft and can be done with any sharp knife and a small set of palm gouges for adding detail. Peter also explains how to sharpen your tools, source and prepare the walking stick shaft, prepare a blank and join the stick head to the shaft. Different ways of adding eyes to animal walking stick heads are also described in detail so you can choose the method that best suits you and your subject.If you’re new to carving and walking stick making, then the simple Thumb Stick is the ideal place to start. Following that are designs for 10 animal themed walking stick toppers, including an otter, duck, polar bear and eagle. The projects range in complexity but are all clearly set out with step-by-step photographs and instructions. Each one can also be customised to suit your style, taste and level of experience. You can adjust the poses of the animals’ heads, add lots of texture or very little, paint them or leave the wood natural, carve the eyes or add glass ones – the choice is yours but you can be guided by Peter’s advice. A gallery of finished walking sticks at the back of the book offers even more inspiration. All of this makes Whittling Walking Sticks an excellent addition to the library of woodcarvers of all levels of experience.

• Practical informationTools and equipmentKeeping your tools sharpSourcing and preparing the shaftPreparing the blankAdding the eyesJoining the stick head to the shaftProjectsThumb stickOtterDuckDogBadgerFoxPolar bearEagleKingfisherCheetahFrogTemplatesResources