Carving is a unique joy in woodworking. It differs strongly from most of the work we do, relying more on one’s ability to visualize and actualize distinct shapes, than to make cuts at precise measurements. It’s a chance to let creativity take the wheel and engage your intuition rather than just your logic. The subject of this issue’s book review takes the matter of intuitive woodworking to its extreme. Whittling Wildlife by Peter Benson is a book not just on carving, but a unique subset called whittling. Whittling Wildlife by Peter Benson, GMC Publications, RRP $19.99, available online and from all good bookshops. WHAT’S WHITTLIN’? To begin, let’s look at what whittling is. Whittling primarily means knife carving, though palm gouges and other small tools will certainly be employed. The workpieces are miniatures, allowing them to be held in a hand as they’re worked on, which is required for safe and effective knife carving. As the title indicates, the projects in this book are animals.…