Dolphin Pendent

When living in Florida, especially on the beach, one must get with the program.  For a whittler, this means all things from the sea.  Dolphins are sighted multiple time a day just off the beach.  They are either feeding or if you're lucky you can see them "playing".  To the tourist, the trip is not complete until you see the Dolphins.

Since I truly believe that it is better to give than receive, I decided to come up with a fast and relatively easy whittling of the Dolphin.  This was achieved by eliminating any "curved" edges on the Dolphin pattern.  I merely flattened the curves.  This flattening created "flat planes" on the edges of the pattern.

After drawing the Dolphin and making a pattern, I traced the pattern onto 3/8 " Basswood and cut the blanks.

The first knife cuts are shallow stop cuts at the base of the Dolphins Dorsal fin.  After making these stop cuts, use the knife to thin the Dorsal fin on both sides of the blank.  Remove about 1/3rd of the wood from each side of the Dorsal fin.

Next, use the knife to thin the Dolphins tail.

Use your knife to slightly taper the Dolphins head  to the nose (both sides),  Start to remove some of this wood from in from of the Flippers, and continue to the nose.

The following photo has the edge of the blank marked where the flat edges come together.  At each of these marks make a shallow stop cut (both sides of the blank).

This next step is where the "Simplified Flat Plane" style is achieved.  Starting anywhere on the edge use the knife to remove a sliver of wood from the edge, between the stop cuts.  Try to have each sliver or wood removed about the same width.  Also try to remove the slivers so that the planes created are clean where they meet.

Next, flatten the edges of the Dolphins flippers and dorsal fin.

In the above photo you'll notice that the Dolphins flippers have been split.


I seldom paint anymore.  I use a three dip method of finishing the piece.  The first dip is in PRE-STAIN.  After shaking the excess off, dip the piece in stain, and set aside to dry.  After the stain is dry dip the piece into lacquer and let dry.  If you're too cheap to buy beer , do this in a closed non ventilated room.

Here is one that is completed and fitted for either an ornament or a necklace.