How to Whittle: 25 Beautiful Projects to Carve by Hand

We’re in the midst of a do-it-yourself renaissance. How-to videos dominate YouTube, Etsy is thriving, and the aesthetic of getting back to creating things with our hands is en vogue. Woodworking is just one of those subjects that has seen a resurgence in popularity, and Josh Nava has laid claim to one part of the woodworking DIY market with How to Whittle.

An in-depth and richly detailed look at how to make your own wooden tools, utensils, and projects by hand, How to Whittle is the perfect DIY book. Nava offers the fundamentals on what tools you need, how to use them, and some things you can make, but not everything is explained for you because the author understands that doing is the most valuable part of the learning process.

The photography not only shows off the stunning pieces you can bring to life with just knives and your own skill, but it offers valuable insight into technique, what to look for, what to avoid, and how to work with the wood, not against it, for the best results.

I’m only just starting on this DIY journey, but I’m glad I have the steady hand of Josh Nava to guide me.