Whittle a Simple Fish in 15 Minutes - Complete Beginner Whittling Lesson

In this complete beginner whittling lesson you will learn how to whittle a simple fish from a 1x1x2 inch piece of basswood in just 15 minutes.

The learning goals for this lesson are that you will be able to:
1) Use multiple cuts to carve smooth surfaces.
2) Make clean cuts against the grain.

Series Description: Welcome to the Complete Beginner Whittling Lessons Series! This series is intended for people who are completely new to whittling and looking for advice on how to get started. It starts with a series of four videos about what equipment and materials are needed for whittling and then there will be a series of projects that will teach the basics of whittling while completing specific projects.

Note that this series focuses on what I would call hobby whittling using dedicated whittling knives and wood that are specifically designed for whittling as a hobby. We will not focus on found wood carving, knives that are not specifically dedicated to whittling, spoon carving, bushcraft or other forms of whittling and woodcarving in this series.

[Fanecosplay]

Made one of these today as my second wood whittle project ever. Thank you for the great lesson. I learned a lot and my little fishy came out wonderfully!

[scottnei]

That wood sure looks buttery smooth and your knife razor sharp.

[haerdy]

Sweet !! Really good, step by step moves - and calm and nice. thank you !!

[bluegrassmagee]

So Awesome, My Grandkids will love this & a great lesson on cutting!

[boondox]

Thank you for sharing and making videos! It might be simple but it is really good practice for knife control and angles! I love these little bitty carvings for sitting outside during the summer.

[johnhorton]

Thank for taking the time to show this. A cute, easy little carvings. ❤❤❤

[scootergirl]

You are an excellent instructor, first of all. And thanks for the fish carve - it’s perfect to whip a couple out when it’s too close to bedtime to start something bigger. Really enjoyable.

[jimdomanski]

Absolutely splendid little carve. Equally splendid instructions!

[tomwatson]

Just ordered a dhk and a newbie! Really enjoy your videos. Thank you

[seanbradley]

update; I went into a 2 week "carving hiatus" so to get back into a groove I made a couple of more fishes before carving a "bigger fish"! thanks again

[glyphicent]

Thanks for this. These fish are great!

[seanbradley]

ironically my one year grandaughter just learned how to say fish. so guess what I'm going to make her? Thank you! 😊😊

[nanaheather]

I like your technique and instructions. I think this will be a good 1st project after we practice the basic cuts in your other videos. I'll be working with my 8 and 11 yr. old granddaughters who really need to learn to control the knife. Push cuts look way less scary since the 11 yr. old picked up a knife and immediately cut herself last summer and swore she'd never touch a knife again. She has a friend who whittles so she's anxious to give it another go. I got good knives and GLOVES! Thank you very much for your great instructions! 😊

[andrewgward]

Awesome video! This would have been a good Easter carving too, it fits with the fish symbol.😁

[cfoto]

Thanks for an excellent instruction video ❤

[John-wobp]

Wow simple yet satisfying I has no basswood i has only pine sink plunger handles I bought specially for carving perhaps that would work on smaller scale greetings from uk 🇬🇧👍🐾🦊

[dougroll]

Good stuff! Looks like a fun quick carve.👍

[grahamthompson]

Waiting for my materials to arrive at the moment but a bit anxious about starting my first carving. This video popped up in my recommendations at just the right moment. Subscribed and will be watching and learning from you beginners videos. I doubt this will be as simple as it looks but I feel confident that once I have stropped and tested my knives I will at some point be able to achieve what is a great little project. Many thanks 🙏

[edtepperphotoart]

Another great lesson for us newbies. Thanks. I have a DHK 1-1/2" with the finger groove handle and a 1" with the scout handle. Great knives!!

[wendygoerl]

I saw this video and I had a chunk of construction scrap to play on. The cross section wasn't quite square, but I figured, "Okay, so it'lkl be a little leaner than the example." Then you go and knock the diagonals off!