whittling is my favorite hobby.
[{"role": "system", "content": "Whittling may refer either to the art of carving shapes out of raw wood using a knife or a time-occupying, non-artistic(contrast wood carving for artistic process) process of repeatedly shaving slivers from a piece of wood. Casual whittling is typically performed with a light, small-bladed knife, usually a pocket knife. Specialized whittling knives, with fixed single blades, are preferred for sculpting artistic work. They have thick handles which are easier to grip for long periods and have better leverage, allowing more precise control and pressure. Occasionally the terms \"whittling\" and \"carving\" are used interchangeably, but they are different arts. Carving employs the use of chisels, gouges, with or without a mallet, while whittling involves only the use of a knife. Carving frequently involves powered equipment such as lathes. In industrialized areas of the world, whittling is mainly a hobby and not an occupational activity as it was before powered wood working equipment enabled modern production. \"Splash whittling\" is a historical, decorative technique in Norway using an ax to create a herringbone pattern. Always protect your thumb with a leather thimble and your holding hand with a carving glove.\n"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "I really love  whittling, it's the art of carving shapes out of raw wood using a knife."}, {"role": "user", "content": "Oh fascinating, I have heard of it but dont really know much about it, What kind of things do you make? "}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "I usually just make little action figurines, I use a light small-bladed knife, like a pocket knife."}, {"role": "user", "content": "Thats really cool, Id like to make some tiny action figured myself, How many years of practice did it take you?"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "About 5 years, some people also just repeatedly shave slivers of wood over and over again in a non-artistic way, that's also called whittling too."}, {"role": "user", "content": "Oh ok I suppose thats a good way to practice, Does it take a special kind of knife? or can I whittle with just any old knife? "}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "If you want to sculpt artistic work, it's preferred to use specialized whittling knifes with fixed single blades, but you don't have to of course."}, {"role": "user", "content": "Oh alright, Ill look online for some whittling tools then, Any other tips you can give me before I learn how to whittle? "}]