8 Best Whittling Knives for Woodworking Projects

Best All-Around Whittling Knife Set for Beginners
Cor Cordium Wood Whittling Kit
Most Splurge-Worthy Whittling Knife
Flexcut Whittlin’ Jack
Best Whittling Knives for Spoon Carving
BeaverCraft S13 Spoon Carving Kit
Best Folding Whittling Knife
Old Timer 24OT Folding Whittling Knife
Most Comprehensive Whittling Knife Set
Flexcut KN250 Deluxe Knife Set
Best Bare-Bones Whittling Knife Kit
Flexcut Whittler’s Kit
Best Whittling Knife Set for Chip Carving
BeaverCraft S15 Whittling Wood Carving Kit
Best Single Whittling Knife
BeaverCraft Detail Whittling Knife

Best All-Around Whittling Knife Set for Beginners

Consi

Cor Cordium Wood Whittling Kit

By including eight blank wood blocks, cut-resistant gloves and a range of knife types, this Wood Whittling Kit is a quality choice for first-time woodworkers who want to get to work right away. Plus, a roll-up storage bag makes it easy to keep all your tools organized and in one place. One Amazon reviewer, Lilith Bellflower, praised the low price. “If you’re new to the craft like me and want to dip your toes in before spending hundreds on good knives and such, please get this!” they wrote.

Pros:

Includes everything a beginner needs to get started
Thick handles made from walnut wood
Comes with wax block and leather strop for maintenance

Cons:

May not be durable enough for everyday use

Most Splurge-Worthy Whittling Knife

Flexcut Whittlin’ Jack

The high-end Flexcut Whittlin’ Jack would be a slam dunk holiday gift for a dedicated woodworker—or yourself if you’d appreciate the compact functionality. It’s not cheap, but the money is worth it, thanks to the ultra-durable razor-sharp carbon steel blades and steel and wood handle. It’s just over 4 inches long when folded up, making it handy for slipping into a pocket and having on hand when spare whittling time comes about.

Pros:

Durable, high-quality construction
Lightweight and compact
Includes two whittling-specific blades

Cons:

Slightly more expensive than comparable models

Best Whittling Knives for Spoon Carving

BeaverCraft S13 Spoon Carving Kit

The S13 Spoon Carving Kit from BeaverCraft includes a hook knife for scooping and sloyd knife for details, making it fitting for those interested in creating wooden spoons. The large whittling knife removes big sections of wood when starting your creation, and can be used to create small details in the handle. These knives are also suitable for use on hardwoods, as Amazon reviewer, Tucker, stated, and easily cut through the maple spoon he used them on.

Pros:

Knives specific for scooping and shaping curves
Storage pouch protects sharp edges
Also suitable for making small bowls

Cons:

Lacks a gouge for creating large spoons

Best Folding Whittling Knife

Old Timer 24OT Folding Whittling Knife

The Old Timer 24OT Folding Whittling Knife features six blades, but has a foldable design for safety and convenient transportation. Its 6-inch handle is long enough to maneuver comfortably, and combined with the textured surface, provides a sturdy grip as you whittle. Weighing just 3.9 ounces, this could be the best whittling knife for a hike or camping excursion.

Pros:

All six blades fold down
Made with carbon steel blades

Cons:

Blades are relatively small

Most Comprehensive Whittling Knife Set

Flexcut KN250 Deluxe Knife Set

If money’s no object and you want to be prepared for a wide variety of whittling or carving projects, consider the Flexcut KN250 Deluxe Knife Set. It includes 18 different blade types, allowing you to handle everything from rough carving to extremely detailed cuts. According to one Amazon user, Andrew, the extra-sharp blades are ready to use right out of the box. “Blades come razor sharp; no sharpening or stropping required before you start carving,” he wrote.

Pros:

Includes 18 knives and wooden tool box
Ergonomic handles
Made by a well-respected brand

Cons:

On the expensive side
Doesn’t include a leather strop

Best Bare-Bones Whittling Knife Kit

Flexcut Whittler’s Kit

Whether you’re a first-timer interested in sculpting and detail work or an experienced whittler who wants a spare set, the Whittler’s Kit from Flexcut is a dependable option. Its two knives—a detail and a mini-detail blade—are all you need to begin creating figurines or intricate carvings. The handles are made of durable ash wood and designed to fit comfortably in the hand.

Pros:

No extra blades you don’t need
Includes sharpening compound
Made in the U.S.

Cons:

No storage pouch

Best Whittling Knife Set for Chip Carving

BeaverCraft S15 Whittling Wood Carving Kit

In addition to whittling and roughing knives, BeaverCraft’s S15 Whittling Wood Carving Kit includes a dedicated chip carving knife. It provides the opportunity to make those detailed chip carvings on the surface of wood, which is a must for tasks like letter engraving and creating textures, like animal fur, feathers and tree branches. This three-piece knife set stores conveniently in a fabric roll-up pouch and includes a sharpening compound to keep your blades sharp and safe.

Pros:

Brand provides instructional chip-carving videos
Suitable for left- or right-handed users
Ergonomic handles designed to prevent work fatigue

Cons:

Doesn’t include gloves

Best Single Whittling Knife

BeaverCraft Detail Whittling Knife

If you don’t have the budget or need for multiple pieces (or just want to replace your primary blade), this Detail Whittling Knife could be the best whittling knife for you. This single detail knife can easily fit in a drawer or on a workbench, and is still versatile enough to tackle a wide range of whittling projects. It doesn’t include any kind of storage, but that can be solved with a wine cork or a wall-mounted magnet on your workbench.