>>183366Use a sharp knife. Dull ones can be dangerous because you apply more pressure than you should which can result in slippage or sudden cut-through. You can always remove a little more, but you can't add it back, so be patient.
Most of all, whittling is a pass-time project. Meaning you do it while you are waiting for something else or you're more or less absent minded about what you are doing and enjoying your surroundings and/or conversation with others. "Whittling" is more about not really having a task, but you carve away then you are like, "oh this sorta looks like a spoon." And, you start making it into a spoon.
"Carving" is when you set out a task, a plan, and carve it out with purpose. Like, "I'm going to make this wood into a spoon".
Above all, just relax.
