Item not available in Hobby Lobby Stores. Theyre really cheapyou can buy leather thumb pads on Amazon for about $1.50. TL;DR - See bullet points for specific questions. After youve learned the basics of whittling, feel free to move on to harder woods. Want to start taking action on the content you read on AoM? Below Ive included a short list of the most popular whittling woods. So you have your tools and wood and know the basic cuts. For a dry wood - it's pretty much the ultimate for knife carving. Here are the ones I use (link to Amazon). This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it should give you a good idea of the needs different wood carvers have, what tools they use, and what might be most interesting to you. Place both your right and left thumbs on the back of the knife blade. I figured it must have been the wood, so I just soldiered on, applying more and more pressure with the knife. Time for a style refresh? Or for the man looking for something meditative to help him center his thoughts. I can't justify buying my entire wish list at once and I'd like to keep my cost down as much as possible while I'm learning and getting started. For now, I don't have a lathe or any shop tools like that. Obviously, I won't be able to jump right in and start carving pipes or anything very complicated. Unfinished and ready for stain, paint, and more, these pieces are a crafter's dream. Grab a hunk of your favorite wood and shape it using your imagination. Mini Basswood Carving Blocks features rectangle shaped prisms that are large enough to start to practice, or perfect, carving! Those chisels, "Wood Carvers Basic Tool Set With Straight Handles" are junk - you'll spend longer sharpening them that you will using them. Thats when its time to bust out the push stroke. The problem with these is when they wear out, youll have to buy another set. Note that Lime is technically a species of tree (Tilia in the Latin)- this collects a number of subspecies. Cuts made with the grain will peel away smoothly; cuts made against the grain will give resistance and eventually split.. Use the larger knife blade. Do you need a workbench? If there's any additional information needed from me, just let me know. You can begin your whittling/wood carving hobby with less than $70, and even less when things go on sale. Uncached Time = Mon Aug 01 15:53:27 CDT 2022, Cached Time = Mon Aug 01 15:50:34 CDT 2022, Cached Time = Mon Aug 01 15:53:27 CDT 2022, Cached Time = Mon Aug 01 15:50:42 CDT 2022, Cached Time = Mon Aug 01 15:50:38 CDT 2022. The only downside is that most knives found at pawn shops or similar, or just inexpensive knives in general, will need to be sharpened a bit. You can buy books with ready-to-go whittling patterns. My first was an oak bowl - defiantly not something to try with a knife. Thesesoft and lightweight blocks of wood areideal for carving and crafting. You can make anything from a simple letter opener to extraordinarily detailed faces using a single, inexpensive knife! You'll see wood all over the place - side of roads, tree felling services, forests, fallen branches after storms, unseasoned fire wood. This is the perfect place to start, Help your creativity flourish with tools, supplies & more, Everything to help you put your sewing projects in motion, Make memories with our papercrafting essentials, Fall in love with elegant finds for your big day, Party favors, decor & more to get the celebration started, Stock up on all things artsy for your next creation, New needle art project? When I think of relaxation, my mind often turns to the old man sitting on the porch in a rocking chair, a knife in one hand, a piece of wood in the other. Just keep practicing, and youll eventually get a feel for figuring out wood grain. Is there a wood that lends itself to beginners? Another ten minutes in, the blade skipped off a knot and glanced my index finger. Just have a go. Several types of specialty whittling knives exist on the market today. You can achieve beautiful works of art using nothing but a pocket knife and an old branch, or you can invest in more expensive tools and go even further. Dont know how to sharpen a knife? Just be sure to print on Video: How to Carve a Baby Turtle - Pattern Included! Is it just me or is it extremely hard to find wood carving knives? Get this book when youre ready to move on to advanced projects. I've got a Mora 106 and a spoon knife. After months of practice, you might be ready to move on to the really cool projects like wooden chains or the mysterious ball in the cage.Maybe even one day, youll be as awesome as this old-timer: If whittling looks like something youd like to take up, I highly recommend the following books. How to Measure Remaining Sunlight With Your Hands. Wooden knives are a popular item to whittle from a tree branch. What are my essential tools as a beginner? I like to glue things to them. I have so many questions and these just scratch the surface. His pocket-knife to the young whittler brings A growing knowledge of material things. This book is the one I started out of, doing the simple bird project which was greatly detailed and pretty easy to do! ), You Dont Have to Be Your Dad: How to Become Your Familys Transitional Character, Podcast #810: How to Turn a Boy Into a Man, A Celebration of the Ideal Bachelor From 1906, Why Ambivalent Relationships Are Terrible for You (And How to Deal With Them), Podcast #808: The Surprising Science Behind Building Stronger Relationships, Podcast #800: The 5 Allies Every Man Needs, How to Comfort Someone Whos Sad/Crying, Bike Maintenance 101: How to Patch an Inner Tube, How to Sharpen a Pocket Knife: An Illustrated Guide, 11 Auto Maintenance Jobs Every Man Can Do Himself, The Basic Dance Step Every Man Should Know, Basic Essentials of Sharpening Your Edged Tools, leather thumb pads on Amazon for about $1.50. However, even on Amazon the prices are pretty steep. Simply flip them if youre a southpaw. Join our email list to receive our Weekly Ad, special promotions, fun project ideas and store news. Note: Due to the nature of this item, size and shape may vary. If youre having a hard time deciphering which way the grain is going, start making some small shallow cuts in your wood. Green wood is a bit easier to carve, but as it dries, it can cause cracks and even ruin your carving. whittle the profile (like an S on it's side - see a spoon for more details), sand - ALWAYS work down through the grits - 40, 80, 120, re-whittle all the crappy mistakes. best of luck! You've only seen one page. Hold the wood in your left hand, the knife in your right with the blade facing towards you. I searched Lowes, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Harbor Freight, and Hobby Lobby. I've found a few online stores that have what I'm looking for, but shipping is just insane for all of them but Amazon. Heres the one I use (link to Amazon), but you can find these at any hardware store. Google 'wooden inlay' for some ideas. waynes book chip carving technique and patterns will give you a great foundation into the simple concept behind chip carving and lots of basic patterns. If you dont wear gloves, use a thumb pad.The thumb on your knife-holding hand tends to get the brunt of the nicks and glances. Push the blade forward with your left thumb while your right thumb and fingers guide the blade through the wood. Another solution that works just as well is duct tape. Balsa wood is a soft, inexpensive, lightweight wood thats perfect for beginning whittlers. Here's the wish list I've compiled on Amazon. Starting a new hobby is exciting. To avoid the same bloody fate as me, I offer the following whittling safety tips: Take it slow.No need to rush! For questions or concerns regarding recent orders or product availability, please contact us. Program, Strengthen Your Tribe: A Report on the Atomic Athlete Vanguard, Sunday Firesides: We Need to Make Adulthood More Desirable, The Best Riddles for Kids (With Answers! Yes, the gloves feel a little cumbersome at first, but you quickly adjust. Its not only easier to learn, but for the beginner, theres much less frustration. Which specific features you liked or disliked, and why. When I first started, I didnt have a bandsaw, so I just bought a coping saw and cut them out by hand. Help other shoppers make informed decisions by reviewing your purchase. Novices and experts alike will appreciate this collection of wood shaping and detailing tools! Need to make bigger cuts? It may take longer, but its infinitely faster than roughing out a carving with a knife, and much cheaper than a power saw. Uncached Time = Mon Aug 01 15:53:24 CDT 2022, Cached Time = Mon Aug 01 15:51:21 CDT 2022, Cached Time = Mon Aug 01 15:53:24 CDT 2022, Cached Time = Mon Aug 01 15:51:24 CDT 2022. Do chisels belong on my wish list? With twelve different sizes and shapes of carving knives and safety caps, a handy container case, and a whetstone to help keep your knives sharp, this kit is the first step you'll need to take to get to carving! I found a few kits for "wood carving", but really they were all hobby and small wooden modeling knives like this. Here's the wish list I've compiled on Amazon. The pull stroke gives you lots of control over your blade and is best for detailed cuts. If you dont already have a knife, you can visit your local flea market or pawn shop, and get any one of them that suits your fancy (bonus points if its a Swiss Army knife). link to Video: How to Carve a Baby Turtle - Pattern Included. I created Woodcrafter's Corner to help others get into this awesome hobby. When you need to do some more intricate carving, you can simply open up your smaller more flexible blade. Here are some spoons I did for Christmas presents: http://imgur.com/a/xQC4U. Now, what to whittle? Just avert your eyes from the fake flowers and wicker baskets as you shop. for me personally the quickest way to get started, and the most immediately rewarding is chip carving! Not only is it easier to carve, but its a much better medium for learning the basics. They hold an edge nicely and are easy to sharpen. Pine. Gave them to my mum for Christmas and we used them to serve the Christmas dinner. Another benefit of pocket knives is that they provide multiple blade types in a single knife. I started making spheres with Yew, but that may have been a little too much in the beginning. Get started on carving and whittling projects using theseBasswood WhittlingBlocks! Whether you go the free route or the upgraded route, the only important thing is that you get started today. I've been carving for a couple of years - one of these days I'll make myself a knife. All the guys in there are woodcarvers and are generally super nice and informative. cook something that requires a fantastic spoon to stir and serve. What effect does the "greenness" of the wood have? But you can also find good, relatively inexpensive basswood blocks on Amazon as well (link to Amazon). 25 characters remaining. Whittling is supposed to be relaxing and meditative.When you get in a hurry with your cuts, thats when accidents happen. Hold the wood in your left hand and the knife firmly in your right hand with the blade facing away from you. I know, not very exciting. Take your woodworking tools and let your imagination roam with thesebasswood blocks! During the Middle Ages, it was the preferred wood of German sculptors who crafted elaborate altar pieces. Now, whenever I feel the wood getting harder to cut, I stop and sharpen my knife. Brace your right thumb against the wood, and squeeze your right fingers in order to draw the blade to your right thumb. Luckly one of the other spoons also had a bit of a fuck up and ended up like a spatula, so the two ended up being a salad tongue set! Strangely, Ive found it cheapest and easiest to order from Ebay (heres a link). 50 characters remaining, 255 characters maximum What are some good beginner projects or what was your first project? Or olive oil. A wood crafter needs the basics! Keep your right thumb out of the path of the blade. I picked up 9 blocks of balsa wood for a little under $4. These blocks are sure to inspire creativity! Help other shoppers make informed decisions by reviewing your purchase. After youve mastered the egg, you can move on to some simple patterns.Cowboy boots are a popular whittling project as well as animals. I've been trying to research this for a few months. when he undertakes it, Hell make the thing and the machine that makes it. Make every cut slow and controlled. After all, whittling and wood carving is fun, but Ive found it to be even more fun with the right tools (and the right wood). Note that chisels for a lathe are quite different to carving chisel (lathe work uses long tangs, to resist transverse (bending) forces; carving chisels are generally socketed to resist longitudinal (mallet impact) forces). Anything with a Janka Hardness over around 6-700 will be a bit too hard to carve well with a knife when dry. Make the bowl as thin as possible - flick it with a finger and it should 'tink', cut hole to hang spoon on spoon hooks in kitchen (mine are next to cooker), boil in water, dry, sand, boil, sand, butter. Once you have both of those, make as detailed a drawing as you can in pencil on the wood. Favourite is cherry or apple. Time for a style refresh? Yeah, an egg. I want to know as much as possible before diving in head first. I'm also wondering if I should even start with wood. Google it to see if you can make spoons from it. Dont get frustrated if you lose track of which way the grain runs while youre in the middle of the project. It's a totally different sort of carving experience; but then you make quite different sorts of things - bowls predominantly. And so recently I decided to explore my boyhood pastime in greater depth. This is the perfect place to start, Help your creativity flourish with tools, supplies & more, Everything to help you put your sewing projects in motion, Make memories with our papercrafting essentials, Fall in love with elegant finds for your big day, Party favors, decor & more to get the celebration started, Stock up on all things artsy for your next creation, New needle art project? Add this to your wishlist http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ZRT75M/ref=wl_mb_recs_3_title. I'm extremely excited to finally start this hobby and I hope to be able to share and help others before too long. You've got this in the bag, Gather 'round our soul-warming collections, Dial up the charm with our jewelry making essentials. The only time I've even specified a type of wood I want was oak when we built a poker table. No - but like any specialised tool, you have to look to specialised places. Most of my woodwork up to now hasn't depended much on the type of wood I use. Whatever you do, dont let the price keep you from enjoying this fun and rewarding hobby. Pocket knives are certainly an excellent choice because theyre so portable. Fortunately, this doesnt need to be expensive eitheryou can use plain old sandpaper. However, lots of books and videos call for you to use a bandsaw (or some other power saw). Cowboy boots are a popular whittling project, How to Rock a Pocket Square: An Illustrated Guide, Use a Newspaper to Test a Knife's Sharpness. The directions assume youre right-handed. Whittling is a great pastime for the man who wants to craft something, but may not have the room or tools to say, build a dining room table. 25 characters remaining. So be careful! Its the most used cut in whittling. Balsa. Knives, gouges, strops, wood (of course) the list goes on. Which specific features you liked or disliked, and why. However, to get started, you definitely dont need to spend a lot of money. Wrap it tight enough so it wont slip off, but not so tight that you lose circulation to your thumb. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ZRT75M/ref=wl_mb_recs_3_title. Heres a guide to carving your very own wooden egg. This book has a great guide on how to carve an awesome looking knife from a tree branch. I pressed on, but I ended up getting blood all over my project. Sometimes where you want to cut wont allow you to do the pull stroke. To perform this cut, imagine youre paring an apple. Then start carving and have fun! Green wood is softer. To protect your thumb, wear a thumb pad. What are some good beginner projects or what was your first project? Make a long, sweeping cut with the grain and away from your body. Here's a link to their locations. Just fyi, I have just the 5 piece power grip set, some clamps, and sand paper. Help other shoppers make informed decisions by reviewing your purchase. link to How to Whittle a Complete Chess Set - with Patterns! Item not available in Hobby Lobby Stores. Use this cut at the very beginning of your project to carve your projects general shape. But it has its drawbacks. Plus, the resistance the wood gives when you cut against the grain makes whittling much more difficult. Pine is another traditional whittling wood. You dont need a pre-cut block of wood to whittle. The push stroke, like the pull stroke, gives you greater control over your knife for detailed cuts. A great book for beginners. Heres a link! I thought, Hey, Ive used knives my whole life. Package contains 72 cubic inches of wood. Obtain wood fresh from the tree. Make your stroke short and controlled. Hi! This item cannot be shipped to the following state(s): 50 characters maximum Works well for chisel too - holds a lot of detail. Softwoods are the best for whittling because they cut nice and easy. Theres a whole new world out therepassionate people, fun projects, and awe-inspiring creations. It was like I was carving a warm block of butter. Not bad at all, considering the quality and longevity of the tools (the wood wont last forever, but it will last for a while). Now, I will give this a slight caveat: the knife does need to be sharp. While you can use any ol wood you have lying around, I always recommend starting with basswood. Easy to find in all shapes and sizes, and very easy to work with. Another nice feature of specialty whittling knives is that they often have curved handles that fit comfortably in your hand to help reduce fatigue during long whittling sessions. Whether you liked or disliked the product. If theres a decent cheap wood for beginners, I won't worry about this. We only recommend products we genuinely like, and purchases made through our links support our mission and the free content we publish here on AoM. No matter which kind of wood you use, look for wood with a straight grain as it is easier to whittle than wood that has the grain going in multiple directions. It happens to most people when theyre first getting started with woodworking of any kind. The Yankee boy, before hes sent to school, Well knows the mysteries of that magic tool, The pocket-knife. With a wizards magic gem. At this point, my wood was slippery with hemoglobin, so I had to stop. Generally, you want most of your cuts to go with the woods grain. 255 characters remaining, 25 characters maximum Projects: Look for woodcarving books with the step to step instructions with pictures. you can make beautiful carvings with just a compass and straight edge! While the blade might not be sharp enough to cut wood, its usually still sharp enough to cut human flesh. Alternatively, you could buy this extremely inexpensive knife (link to Amazon). I'm mallet and chisel - so not something I can speak to. Where should I look for wood and what kind of prices should I expect? Or you could just sort of wing it and make up your own pattern. If you want your whittling experience to bepleasurable and relaxing, keep your knife sharp. There are lot's of people who will give you lots of advice. Or simply for the guy who wants to while away time on a camping trip. *No discounts may be applied to your price or reduced items. Its soft, cuts easily, and is readily available. 106, 120 or 122 depending on the size you think is best - in the long run, I suspect one might want more than one size. Its nice to have a set of specialty whittling knives for when youre whittling at home, while using your pocket knife for whittling sessions on the go. As you increase your skill, youll get a good feel for what you enjoy most. From all my research, these seem to be some of the most suggested tools. check out basswood (linden) to get started with! What I like about this kit is that it includes three knives, each with their own use, a carrying case, and a leather strop with honing compound. Thats pretty much it! The cool thing about spoons is that you can stop when you like. I thought it would be cool to whittle a ducks head, so I took a piece of wood, drew an outline of a ducks head on both sides of it, and started whittling. The wood tends to dictate the shape of the spoon. I do my whittling in the front room and hoover up all the crap at the end of the evening. Some whittlers think pine doesnt hold detail very well. I would think chisels would be used more for lathe work, but I'm curious how much use they would get (and what uses) while carving by hand. Wear gloves when you first start. I'm just getting started, and am using basswood. Uncached Time = Mon Aug 01 15:54:51 CDT 2022, Cached Time = Mon Aug 01 15:54:05 CDT 2022, Cached Time = Mon Aug 01 15:54:51 CDT 2022, Cached Time = Mon Aug 01 15:54:23 CDT 2022, Cached Time = Mon Aug 01 15:54:18 CDT 2022. As far as the tools are concerned, I'm from Portland and just from a cursory search I've found two places that have carving tools (and it looks like they ship): You likely have similar craft/hobby shops in your area. But a simple project like an egg is a good way to introduce beginning whittlers to the law of wood grains. Brett & Kate McKay December 12, 2011 Last updated: May 17, 2022. Make some spoon butter, or rub some bees wax on it and you're good to go. Check out this post which is one of the most popular of all time. Its a good wood to whittle with because its soft and doesnt have much grain. Its one of the cheapest and most accessible hobbies you can take upall you need is a knife and some wood. 50 characters remaining, 255 characters maximum What kind of wood would be best for it? Ideally it wouldnt be freshly-cut. 25 characters remaining. I also whipped up a pattern you can print at home! You may also begin to upgrade your gear along the waywhich leads directly into my next point. You've got this in the bag, Gather 'round our soul-warming collections, Dial up the charm with our jewelry making essentials. Anytime you find a good piece of wood, you can just whip out your pocket knife and start sculpting your wooden masterpiece. Btw, been carving for only a week and a half so just my 2 cents, Press J to jump to the feed. Random twigs and branches. The Art of Whittling by Walter Faurot. Flexcut offers a wide selection of different kinds of whittling knives, and I bought this starter set from them. I cant tell you how many times Ive cut myself while whittlingand how many more times these gloves have saved me. Split it lengthways into bits that are spoon size. Hold the wood in your left hand and your knife firmly in your right. Wood Carving Kit has everything you need to get started except for the raw materials. This is the perfect place to start, Help your creativity flourish with tools, supplies & more, Everything to help you put your sewing projects in motion, Make memories with our papercrafting essentials, Fall in love with elegant finds for your big day, Party favors, decor & more to get the celebration started, Stock up on all things artsy for your next creation, New needle art project? This is especially true of all the stuff you need. Instead of cutting, dull blades have a tendency to glance off the wood and head right towards your hand. I'm also wondering if I should even start with wood. Thus, by his genius and his jack-knife driven, Ere long hell solve you any problem given; Make any jim-crack, musical or mute, A plow, a couch, an organ, or a flute; Make you a locomotive or a clock, Cut a canal, or build a floating-dock, Or lead forth Beauty from a marble block Make any thing, in short, for sea or shore, From a childs rattle to a seventy-four; Make it, said I?ay! The Little Book of Whittling by Chris Lubkemann. As far as Im concerned, these are an absolute necessity. At that point, you just need to practice carving. After my hands started aching something fierce, it finally dawned on me that my knife probably needed some sharpening. I really appreciate any help I can get. Its a lot easier than wood and gives you a chance to practice the different techniques. What are the best budget knives you recommend to beginners (and where could I find them)? You can find basswood at most craft stores (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc) or lumber stores (Ive found it at Menards). I've got a ton of questions, but I'm going to attempt to stay as brief as possible. Until you get comfortable with the different knife strokes, Idrecommendwearing a pair of leather work gloves when your first start whittling. If you wanted to skip right to this section, I wouldnt blame you. Depending on where you are from Woodcraft is a great place to get your tools. I recommend it. So if a knife you have isnt sharp, youll need to get it sharp. Fixed blades offer a bit more sturdiness than what you get with a folding knife. Wood carving is not an expensive hobbyyou can start for free with tools you already have! It happened to me at least. Basswood. You can buy it by the boatloads at craft stores like Hobby Lobby for pretty cheap. To that his wistful eye Turns, while he hears his mothers lullaby; His hoarded cents he gladly gives to get it, Then leaves no stone unturned till he can whet it; And in the education of the lad No little part that implement hath had. Robin Wood, whose pretty much a professional at knife carving, recommends Mora knifes. Its smooth, relatively soft, and holds up very well in the long term. Four or five layers should do the trick. Welcome! Look online - it's far easier to find specialised shops that way. And with a hobby like wood carving, it seems like theres a lot to know. Whether you liked or disliked the product. Is it just me or is it extremely hard to find wood carving knives? None of which are wood carving specialised places. You might even branch out (so to speak) into different types of wood carving. Time for a style refresh? Several cutting styles exist in whittling, but well just stick with the basics for the purposes of this article. Very sharp. More blood. If youve ever seen an old-timer whittle, chances are you saw him using the pull stroke. Join our email list to receive our Weekly Ad, special promotions, fun project ideas and store news. To these succeed His bow, his arrow of a feathered reed, His wind-mill, raised the passing breeze to win, His water-wheel, that turns upon a pin; Or, if his father lives upon the shore, Youll see his ship, beam ends upon the floor, Full rigged, with raking masts, and timbers stanch, And waiting, near the wash-tub, for a launch. I searched Lowes, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Harbor Freight, and Hobby Lobby only to find out none of these stores carry good carving knives. Books by Chris Pye are pretty good. Then wrap a couple of layers of duct tape around your thumb with the sticky side facing in. Not great, but its turning out better than I thought it would. The only issue is knowing how to start. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. 255 characters remaining, 25 characters maximum Craft stores, like Hobby Lobby, often carry a variety of softwoods that are good for whittling. this was probably my 6th or 7th real serious attempt at chip carving, expanding on basic principles i learned from the wayne barton book, carved on maybe a 4 dollar piece of wood. Theergonomicallyshapedhandle does indeed help reduce hand fatigue compared to carving with a pocket knife. When green, the wood is easier to cut. 255 characters remaining, 25 characters maximum The Art of Manliness participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. In this week's video, I'll show you how to carve a simple and easy baby water turtle. The only place I can find that sells it is Amazon, which is where I got mine. Luckily, you can buy all the high-quality beginner tools youll need for less than the cost of a single video game. This product has been discontinued. And I plan to pick up more as I decide to carve more detailed line/relief carvings. For beginners, Id suggest you keep it simple.Keith Randich, author of Old Time Whittling, suggests beginners whittle an egg as their first project. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. I get green wood from a tree up my dads house. I use chisels. Try carving a turtle out of a soap. From whittling to pyrography, shaping and working with wood is a fun and rewarding way to unleash your creativity. You can do a good amount right there. Are there any chain stores I haven't thought of where I could buy knives locally? Before you start whittling, simply wrap your knife-holding thumb with duct tape. Spoons are perhaps more tricky than other things - you need curved tools to cut the bowl (a spoon knife is normal; a gouge could be used). Heres a guide to carving your very own wooden egg. Make several, thin slices to reduce the wood to the desired size and shape. Cuts against the grain cause your wood to tear, split, and just plain look ugly. Dont cut too deep or you might split the wood. Unlike pocket knives, theyre fixed blade, meaning they dont fold. For added safety, wear a thumb pad. By the way, if youd like some recommendations for more tools with more options, be sure to check out my recommended tools page. Obeying the first rule of whittling will not only ensure better cuts, it will also ensure that you keep all your fingers.