Whittling -- a thing of the past?
Photo: Whittling classic by Dr. Terry Trier
Dad was a great whittler. Every spring, he'd make us whistles from fragrant willow twigs when the sap was running. With these we could slide the skin along the slippery cambium of wood and make birdlike sounds. My brother had a jackknife, and so did I. He whittled some, but my tiny decorative knife was too small.
How many people still whittle? Not many, I suspect. Even so, interested whittlers can learn how to make a willow whistle on You Tube.
Dad was a great whittler. Every spring, he'd make us whistles from fragrant willow twigs when the sap was running. With these we could slide the skin along the slippery cambium of wood and make birdlike sounds. My brother had a jackknife, and so did I. He whittled some, but my tiny decorative knife was too small.
How many people still whittle? Not many, I suspect. Even so, interested whittlers can learn how to make a willow whistle on You Tube.