The primary answer is “Yes.”, but please review and renew your assumptions and your expectations. The primary definition of the word, “whittle” is to, “carve an object) from wood by repeatedly cutting small slices from it.”, which a scalpel guided by a skilled hand can definitely be made to do. Our challenge, as with most things that don’t exactly fit together, is to match up what we have/and/or want with what we need. A scalpel is an extremely sharp instrument designed to cut human or animal flesh. Might we find a knife that is better suited to the task at hand if we take a little more time as we prepare, and since it is designed to cut flesh, let’s be sure and make sure ours is not the flesh it cuts today. A safety assumption for sure! As most sharp things that cut, a scalpel can quickly dull if used in the way for which it wasn’t designed, another expectation/assumption conundrum. This discussion could last for several pages more, which would be way too much information on paper. So the “Boil Down” is: 1. Don’t be in hurry; 2. Check all of your assumptions before starting, then, check them again; 3. Be very aware of what outcome you (and others) expect; 4. Communicate, communicate and communicate some more as you proceed. And, 5. Make sure the tool (s) fits the job and vice versa. We are not in a hurry, I promise! If it is well thought out, it will be okay if not great. M
