What is Reddit's opinion of Walnut Hollow Basswood Whittlers Carving Blocks, 10 Piece, Natural?

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I think you should consider online ordering: amazon in the US has heaps of basswood, such as https://www.amazon.com/Walnut-Hollow-Piece-Whittlers-Carving/dp/B0018N9Z72/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1476868815&sr=8-2&keywords=basswood

That's just the first hit I found, there's lots more. Something like that will give you a well understood canvas to work with, and that reduced the variables you need to consider a lot; which is very helpful for learning.

Pine is a tricky wood, due to the unevenness in hardness between the early and late growth. Whilst it's perfectly possible to carve well, I don't think it's the best wood to learn on (and it's also better suited to gouge's rather than knives, in my opinion).

Definitely should start easier. Walnut is a harder wood and for a first will scare you off. Go on Amazon and find some basswood blanks to start and just mess around. That's how I started.

Walnut Hollow Basswood Whittlers Carving Blocks, 10 Piece https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018N9Z72/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_iFv6IwDNaoOdl

Not the greatest but they're decent quality. Sizes are ok for starter projects.

Best Value Premium Basswood Carving/Whittling Large Beginners KIT. 25% More Wood Than Other Large Kits! Suitable for Kids or Adults, Beginner to Expert. Unfinished Kiln Dried Whittling Blocks. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N1X2WR2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_jLacEbTSQFM9C

These are great for the 5 minute wizards and owls to get you more comfortable with pattern projects

Detail Knife - Perfect Carving Knife for Wood Chips - Ideal Whittling Knife - High- Carbon Steel Chip Carving Tools - General Wood Carving & Cutting K https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M9SDVN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_aTKEvf95G8YkM

This knife is great! Cheap and decent quality plus the straight blade is easier to strop for newbies like us lol.

Flexcut PW14 Knife Strop, with 1 Ounce Bar of Flexcut Gold Polishing Compound, 8 X 2 Inch Leather Surface https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FFJ9TLW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_sPacEbHCQAYYF

This is decent to start for strop's but if you would prefer I can give you a link to the strop and compounds I use when I get home. They were recommended to me from a professional but I can't remember exactly what they were to find them atm.