Yes, and a small traditional slip joint is one of the best whittling tools there is. What matters is a thin, very sharp blade under about three inches, a comfortable handle, and a shape with a usable point. Big blades and thick grinds are what make people think a knife whittles badly.
Control and thinness. A thin blade behind a very sharp edge slices wood fibers cleanly; a thick one crushes them and needs force. That is why a modest traditional pattern outperforms a big modern folder here.
A finger choil is a real advantage, because choking up shortens the effective blade and puts your hand right behind the cut.
A sheepsfoot or a straight-edged pattern is excellent for controlled push cuts. A spear point gives you a usable tip for detail. Traditional whittlers use several small blades for exactly this reason.
Avoid heavy belly and thick stock, which fight you on every stroke.
Whittling dulls an edge fast, and a dull edge in wood means force, which means slips. Strop between sessions and sharpen properly when stropping stops working.
Cut away from yourself, and mind the blood circle.