Description

The Gator is one of the most challenging Critters to carve. The feet and face require a patient hand and some tricky knifework. He really benefits from painting where he really comes alive. He can be tackled by a novice but is definitely recommended for intermediate to advanced whittlers. It can just as easily be carved into a crocodile (just make the nose more V-shaped) should you prefer the non-American cousins.

The Gator’s Inspiration

The American Alligator (A. Mississippiensis) is one of two alligator species (the other being the Chinese Alligator). Alligators are a type of crocodile. There are several differences, the most obvious of which are Alligators upper jaw overhangs the lower and has a much wider U-shaped nose. The average American Alligator weighs about 800 lbs and 13′ long. The largest alligator ever measured was 15′ 9″ and weighed just over 1,000 lbs. It is on display at the Mann Wildlife Learning Museum in Montgomery Alabama. The American Alligator is native to the southeastern United States and while it isn’t known how long they live, a few in captivity have lived to be over 80 years old. They prefer freshwater though will go into brackish water as well. Large males are very territorial while the smaller gators will tolerate others of similar size. They eat fish, insects, snails, and worms when young though as they grow will move to larger prey including fish, mammals, and even bears. Their favorite food is coypu and muskrats. Alligators have been around for 37 million years. The American Alligator was once hunted near extinction, but after being placed on the endangered species list in 1967 their numbers have rebounded to learn more about the Alligator please visit https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Reptiles/American-Alligator

General Description (applies to all our Critters)

All our Critters are made from basswood and roughly 1″ thick, 1.75″ tall and 10″ long. They can all be made into nifty letter openers (just carve their nose/tail into a flatter shape with sharp edges) or carved more true to their namesake critters. While they vary in difficulty (which we try to describe in the description for each) their long, slender shape lends themselves to easier whittling and safe, easy holding (never cut towards yourself or have any part of your body in the path of the knife).

The time it takes to carve will of course vary by Critter but even moreso by experience. Most will take many hours to get right, but if you’re skilled at whittling and “hurry” they can be carved to 90%+ within a few hours. These make excellent projects for learning to carve. They’re excellent gifts both carved and uncarved.

These whittling “kits” are perfect to learn to whittle with. These make excellent carving projects whether you’re looking for a project to do with your kids, grandkids, cousins, friends, or just to do yourself. There’s no easier way to learn carving in wood. We offer ones of varying difficulty to satisfy everyone from the novice to expert. As you get better at carving you’ll be able to add more details to help make each one uniquely yours.

These make excellent group activities whether it’s for your scouting group looking to learn to carve, or your book-club looking for a new activity. All you need is a sharp knife (a locking knife and safety gloves are highly recommended) and a Critter! All of our Critters are designed to make excellent letter openers for those wanting a fun and practical project. They can just as easily be carved into a more natural shape if you don’t need a letter opener. These make excellent gifts, either as blanks to introduce whittling to someone, or fully carved to give them a piece of art. These make an excellent craft project as a stand alone activity, or provides something fun to do while sitting around the campfire talking.

Whittling is an excellent way to relax and slow down. A chance to make something truly yours and explore your artistic side. Our Critters are designed around being easy to carve but there’s no limit to the details you can add. You can easily stop once you’ve roughed the shape with a knife, or you can take it further, sanding off the whittling marks. You can leave it as the natural wood, stain it, or paint it to truly bring out the character of the critter. Carve a single critter, or carve them all, it’s all up to you!