50 things to do with a penknife - Matt Collins

A beautifully presented, practical gift guide to the age-old art of whittling.

There are 50 projects featured in the book, ranging from quick makes to more elaborate projects, and even a chapter on creating things from cork. The 8 main themes are:

Quick Things - including a doorstop, a bookmark and a gift-box book;

Into The Woods - including a willow whistle, walking stick, fish hook and slingshot;

Around The House - including chopsticks, coat and crochet hooks;

Cork Creations - including a succulent pot, stamp, and earphones spool;

Ornamental Carving - including a boat, a deer and a spinning top;

Kitchen Carving - including a carrot flute, apple candle and onion flower;

The Natural World - including a bird feeder and instructions to prepare a fish for cooking, a graft an apple tree.

The projects cater for a range of skill levels and the instructions are complemented by smart step-by-step illustrations, which highlight the tactile quality of the material in hand. The book also includes an introduction with advice on selecting a penknife, maintaining your blade, choosing your caving material, and carving techniques.

Featuring the ultimate crossover of cool craftsmanship and savvy survival-skill projects, this book is the perfect gift for creative adventurers.