What a difference a blade makes

[jmischel]

I've been carving (or attempting to carve) for just over a month now. I did my first two "projects" with an old hunting knife, and a very cheap pocket knife. Then I went out and bought a smallish 3-blade Buck folder, figuring I'd sharpen it up and that'd be my whittling knife.

The Buck is a fine little tool, but it has a major drawback in my opinion: the handle is too small. My hand gets cramped holding that little thing. And with that long blade (about 2.5", although only 2" is usable), the back of the knife is digging into my index finger right at the second knuckle. Two weeks of using that for carving, and the tip of my index finger went numb.

You know, I thought that Buck was sharp. I did one project with it and then used my Lansky setup to re-shape the bevel a bit. I couldn't get it down to the 17 degrees I wanted (that Lansky is great for kitchen knives, but doesn't work well with very small blades), but I managed 20 degrees. The knife is sharp--sharpest darned pocket knife I've ever had. But on my last project it felt like I was having to really force it to cut across the grain.

Time to get a real carving knife, right? Well, I read here about a member who uses a utility knife, and I went to look at his work. Amazing. So I stopped by Home Depot early last week and picked up a fixed-blade utility knife. The 3 or 4 that I have in my toolboxes are all retractable.

Sat down on Tuesday to began carving a little snowman ornament, and I was stunned! That blade goes right across the grain almost effortlessly. And it's very comfortable in my hand. The bevel is much shallower than on the pocket knife, allowing me to shave very, very thin slices. The difference truly is astounding. Working with the pocket knife was fun, but difficult at times. Working with the utility knife is an absolute joy.

I'm not saying that I won't go buy a specialty carving knife, but for now I'm seriously enjoying what I can do with this utility knife. After I took the spare blades out of the handle. That "click, click" with every stroke was pretty darned annoying.

A question for anybody who's using one of these: do you use the Heavy Duty blades that seem to come with every knife? I've seen "paper" blades at the store--supposedly much sharper. Is there any benefit to using those rather than the heavy duty blades?

Jim

[gene-messer]

Jim .. I have never used a utility knife like Lynn uses .. but you can look at his pieces and see he is a master with it ..

I have never been big on using pocket knives for a beginner to whittle .. the handle is uncomfortable and just isnt the best for carving ..

Iam glad you found something you use and is comfortable .. Thats why it is so important to listen to alot of old pros on this board .. they have been there and done that ..

Thanks for sharing Jim ..

Gene

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Jim, if you decide to buy a carving knife, I suggest looking at the Drake knives. I just bought my first Drake knife and absolutely LOVE it !! They come sharp and stay sharp, and priced right. The handle is shaped real nice (could be a little thicker) . Hope this helps.

Dave

[Eddy-Smiles]

Jim.... I started out using X-acto knives to carve wooden fishing plugs for years. I had a collection of every blade that X-acto produced. There was a blade for every need. However, once I was introduced to a regular fixed blade carving knife I've never looked back. The X-acto and all of the blades are still sitting in my tool box. There's no comparison!

[Clifford_Parker]

Jim,

I carry a Schrade 3 blade medium Stockman for carving while camping, fishing, or hiking. I also have several fixed blade carving knives including four that I made myself from Bosch reciprocating saw blades. I haven't tried the utility knife yet but Lynn does get wonderful results from his.

My point is that each tool has it's place in a carver's arsonal. My fixed blade knives are difficult to carry in my pocket while doing outdoors activities but are more useful to me at home or the club.

Which Lansky set do you have and what wood were you using for your project? Were you stropping often?

I have the Lansky Pro and it will get very close to 17 degrees though, as you noticed, with smaller blades it is usually between 17 and 20. 20 is fine for softer woods like basswood or white pine but will dull faster if used on oak, maple, etc..

[jmischel]

I think I have the Lansky Pro. It's the set that comes with five stones--70, 120, 280, 600, and 1,000.

I've been working with basswood since my first attempt at carving pear wood. Maybe I'll go back to the pear and other found wood (my yard is full of nice things) once I learn a bit about carving. Yes, I was stropping often.

As I said in my original message, I'm not against the idea of getting a fixed blade knife or knives. I know that specialty tools will allow me to do things that are very difficult to do with what I have. For now, I'm learning how to use the utility knife. And getting reasonable results.

I haven't completely given up on the pocket knife, either, although I might consider something slightly larger. Or, I did see where somebody had made a sort of handle for his pocket knife--a larger handle into which you can slip the knife after extending the blade. I might look into doing something like that.

As a sometime tool while out in the woods, the pocket knife is okay, yeah. But not for daily use. At least not this one, for me.

[stickwhittler_matt]

Hi Jim:

I am not an expert on anything, but I heard pear wood is the next generation "violin wood" or wood that is used for making "top quality" musical instruments. When it is seasoned, boy oh boy is it ever hard. I have a very good source for large diameter cottonwood "root" from that straight line wind storm we had blow thru our part of the woods, and took about 200, three to six foot dia. cottonwood trees down. Flat out uprooted the darn things, so after reading about the kachina dolls coming from the cottonwood root as a carving source, gave it a shot, man that stuff cuts like butter, and holds detail as well as anything else I've tried. But I am still new to this carving gig, so most of the old timers on this board could offer better advice than I....but if you could find some, give it a shot, or PM me and maybe I can work out a way to get ya some.

Keep on whittlen, the world needs more designer worm wood...(;>)

Matt

[xsailer]

I haven't used my utility knife much but found out when I stropped it it got a lot sharper if you can believe it. At least the blade went thru the wood a lot easier. I much prefer my carving knives thou...to each their own. If it gets your job done and you like it go for it.

[wabbiter]

I've only just started carving/whittling and use opinels No's 6 and 8, i think there greatCheers..mack

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

LOL prepare thyself to meet thy knife maker ha ha.....if you listen to all of us you will soon have a box full of knives like we do I prefer the Helvie knives and my homemade converted straight razors....and yes have tried the utility knife.....I sharpened the blade and stropped it and it makes a great bench knife lol......just my opinion!