Tools

I use Beavercraft knifes, one for rough carving and another for precision, a small saw from a multi-tool pocket knife. I protect my hands from cuts with anti-cut gloves, reinforced with sport tape at the thumbs because we often press hard with the pulp of the thumbs while carving. For surface finishing I use sandpaper and small files. I paint the pieces with liquid wax polish (tinted or not) for wood tints, and acrylic paint. Basswood is a great species for whittling, quite soft but not easy to split, with fine grain and without knot.

To learn I recommend the Carving is fun Youtube channel.