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": "Whittling is my favourite hobby. I only have to use my pocket knife and some wood"}, {"role": "user", "content": "Thats a unique activity. What do you make?"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "I like to make birds wearing hats, and angry squirrels. I should probably wear safety gear, like a leather thimble and a carving glove"}, {"role": "user", "content": "Interesting! Safety gear is very important, I agree. What else do you know whittling? "}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "There are different kinds of whittling. In Norway there is a type called splash whittling, where you make a herringbone pattern with an axe"}, {"role": "user", "content": "It seems very hard so it must require a lot of skill. How long have you been whittling? "}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "About 5 years. I'm not very good at it. Carving is different - you use more tools, a mallet..."}, {"role": "user", "content": "So you also carve? I used to carve out pens when I was in high school."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Yeah I like using a lathe, although my shop teacher told me scary stories about it in school. "}, {"role": "user", "content": "Well its not very nice for a teacher to be scaring students! What is a lathe?"}]