ETSers:

I'd like to encourage you to whittle away at fallen branches whenever you can. It's a good way to desensitize the general public to the sight of an opened knife at work. It also gives you another criterion to apply when reviewing your collection for EDC selection.

I think my all-time favorite whittling project is the pointed stick. I alternate between the sharp-ended and roundy-ended versions. I also like the pointed stick with rings of bark removed, or the more challenging pointed stick with rings of bark left on.

(Not to mention the figure-four deadfall.)

I try to select raw material that's free of grit, so as not to incur needless sharpening time. Of course, one can't always get clean windfall from the ground.

For dirty sticks, I like to use the combination can and bottle opener found on Leatherman and Wenger tools. It makes a great roughing blade, and keeps my knife edge sharp for more delicate work.

That combination opener is one reason I favor Wenger over Victorinox. The clever use of the backspring for the scissors is another.

Bear