Snitte: The Danish Art of Whittling

A fascinating practical introduction to the Danish art of whittling, with inspiration and instructions for making adorable decorative wooden birds. Snitte, Denmark's art of wood whittling, is a rite of passage for most Scandinavians, and the passion for it lasts a lifetime. Wood whittling's practical, outdoorsy nature has been married to fine craftsmanship in this beautiful book about creating wood-sculpted birds that can be left uncoloured and crisp as they are in wood or coloured carefully to make exquisite sculptures. Written by a passionate Danish woodsman, Frank Egholm, the book teaches even the beginner the basics of wood whittling a bird shape with step-by-step demonstrations (and templates), how to mount them elegantly on real pieces of wood, and how to paint them delicately to bring out their colourful beauty. From the familiar robin, blue tit and wagtail to the less common yellowhammer, the book has templates for eight European birds. Whether you are new to whittling or are looking for a fresh project with your whittling skills, this is a perfect book to make something special and tap into the wonders of Scandinavian craft.

Frank Egholm is a passionate woodsman who has been teaching woodworking in his native Denmark for a lifetime. Along with his wife (a teacher), they spend as much time as possible sharing their love of woodworking, teaching children and adults to enjoy the outdoor life and crafting wood.