Advice on quality of brands?

[STAR]

Because I am just getting into carving I have been reading some of the old threads on this informative site.

Not to hijack a thread about beginner knives I thought I would ask these questions here.

Because I am in Australia many of the preferred knives are not available here. But because they are small getting them sent here would not be that expensive as far as postage goes.

Maybe, if I list what is available in Australia and what I can easily get from Woodcraft in America you guys and ( girls ) might steer me in the right direction. I like to have at least one quality, sharp tool, which is my standard that I can judge others by until my learning curve is not so steep.

Available in Australia.

Henry Taylor. UK Sheffield
Pfeil
Flexcut
U.J. Ramelson

There may be others I do not know about yet.

Because I have a daughter who is in L.A. often, the local Woodcraft store at Stanford delivers items to her hotel on my behalf.

Available at Woodcraft.

Hock
Butz
Pfiel
Flexcut
Woodcraft generic brand.

----------
Which of these, if any, are the bees knees. Or should I go that extra distance and order a few knives from some of the maker's you have mentioned in your threads. If so, What brand or maker would be a good standard so that I can judge others by.

Thanks

Pete

[brent]

The Woodcraft generic and the Pfeil carving knife are both good to carve with. What's this I hear?? I thought everyplace in the world had Murphy knives!
You can use a pocket knife if you are so inclined.
IMHO, the Butz knife is good but overly priced. Surely you have a good source of carving tools down under!??
Flexcut makes good tools also. I don't care for the knives....uncomfortable in my hands, but they are good knives.
Ramelson are good tools but some can require a good deal of work on the edges....once there, they're as good as any others. Can't say anything about Hock except for what I have read and he does make a very good plane blade.
Hope this is some help.

[STAR]

[QUOTE=brent;382849]The Woodcraft generic and the Pfeil carving knife are both good to carve with. What's this I hear?? I thought everyplace in the world had Murphy knives!
You can use a pocket knife if you are so inclined.
IMHO, the Butz knife is good but overly priced. Surely you have a good source of carving tools down under!??

----------------
Thanks for the replies Brent. I guess my posts really do show my ignorance about all things carving.

About the Murphy, we probably do, but I have no idea what they are. I guess I have led a sheltered life. As far as carving tools are concerned I only know of a few places and if the do not also sell woodworking gear they are not in my phone book.

I will now be able to do some more searches for specialized wood carving stores here but really I did not want to go there yet until I have some idea of what I am looking for and what I need.

As I have said previously I am a long way down the food chain on this carving caper, but do not mind taking myself out of my comfort zone to learn some new skills. I am happy where I am with my woodworking now, but still a novice amateur, so it is time to broaden my horizon, even if I have to ask some dumb questions to get started.

Thanks for your input.

Pete

[Robby]

I don't like flexcut's knives but I like their gouges, chisels, and v's. I buy their steel and make my own handles. I've got some of the locallay made knives, but I usually use the flexcuts. I'm not the least bit worried if I take them to a grinder to alter them (as long as they stay cool) cause if I do mess up the temper, I'm not out that much money. Have yet to mess one up. For detail knives, I use custom made. If your gonna do larger carvings, the pfiel is hard to beat.

[mobjack68]

Hey Star, welcome aboard. Funny that I should happen into this "discussion" again. I have been watching a set of chisels on another forum and the owner thought they were made of gold. Which knives/chisels....let the steel be the deciding factor!! Solingen, Sheffield....The Pfiel brand are listed as Swiss Made, they are the German steel, Solingen. Anything listed as Sheffield, English/England...Two Cherries uses Sheffield, you get the idea. If it is possible that you might get into making your own knives???? I use damaged, older straight razors cut to length, ground to whatever my heart desires, handle to my liking, and sharpened to my heart's content. Only out the price of the razor and my time, most older razors are exceptionally fine steel. They are stamped most times with the manufacturer of the steel....(back to that)
Damascus makes for a really neat look, pass it by for fine cutting/carving uses....

[Eddy-Smiles]

Woodcraft is sort of like a super market for all things wood and as such they carry a select variety of carving tools... some better than others. If you really want a great knife to use as a standard for future comparisons then I'd recommend that you look into ways to purchasing one of the other private brands mentioned throughout the threads in this forum. Even though you're overseas it may be possible have a one shipped to you pre-paid. Or perhaps you could arrange to have it shipped to your daughter's hotel.

[Old Codger]

Pete in regards to your request about a good, first rate knife...You can't go wrong with the Hock carving knives! I picked up a couple of them a little over a year ago and they've been one of my best carving purchases ever...scary sharp, hold an edge extremely well, and are easily honed readhy to carve with just a few strokes...love them! You might also contact Gil and Bonny Drake to see if they would ship one or two of their excellent knives to you also...DrakeKnives.com All of their knives and gouges/v-tools are top notch and difficult to beat - plus the Drakes are just nice people and offer excellent service. Good luck and safe carving to you.
Kenn

[sashadoc]

I have a Helvie that was given to me by a forum member and I wouldn't part with it for the world! In the end it comes down to quality as the first consideration and "feel" as the second. After a while the knife feels like part of your hand.
Tim

[Steve Reed]

Pete, be prepared for a lengthy discussion anytime you ask about "the best" tools. Everyone has their favorites. My advice is to get the best tools you can afford, and then work with them. All the replies above are valid, and not "dissing" anyone, however my first set of "carving tools" were a set of chisels and gouges from a hardware store. They worked, and were a great experience in learning to sharpen and maintain an edge. Any of the tools you mentioned will work just fine as long as you maintain them well. I'm also pretty sure you should be able to find some produced "down under" as we here from other Aussie carvers here. Look for a club, and talk to them as well. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
Happy carving!

[Lynn O. Doughty]

While the information here is excellent you might want to check out this Australian carving forum for an answer. I'm sure they can give you some info more directly connected to your country. Just scroll down and you will find the Woodcarving & Sculpture forum. Here's the link:

Woodwork Forums - Powered by vBulletin