What kind of knife is best for the newbie

[Boog]

Hello,
As I mentioned in my Welcome I got a carving set for Christmas. My wife will all good intentions bought it for me without knowing anything about carving, not that I know anything about carving either. The set that she bought me is a Robert Sorby. The point is it did not come with a carving knife. My question is what is the best knife to buy and how much should I pay. I went online and there are many to choose from. I am kind of leaning toward a Murphy bench Knife or the starter knives from Flexcut. I also saw a carving kit with knife and strop and glove at Little Shavers. If anyone can help me it would be greatly appericated,Thanks
Boog

[Mitchell]

Already MANY threads on beginner knife recommendations..... and many varied answers.

I'd recommend the kit with the Glove and strop.

[schwert]

I think you first must ask yourself what sort of carving are you going to do...

A basswood knickknack knife is way different from a found wood spooncarvers tool.

I would read in the various forum areas that spark your interest. In these areas of the forum you will see a slightly narrower selection of tools used.

There really is no answer to your question, but there are hundreds of recommendations.

My only recommendation is to completely avoid an inexpensive carving knife that is not tuned for use out of the box. There are many small knife makers here on the forum. Once you find a carving area of interest, I would contact a couple of these guys and ask them about a knife. They can supply not only an exceptional tool at a good price but will be able to guide you within their line as to which knife may best suit your carving interest.

[Claude]

I agree with Mitchell - the Little Shavers set will come sharp. I use a Flexcut detail carving knife because that was what was available at Woodcraft when I went looking (I didn't know Rick at Little Shavers then...)

"Appropriate" knives do depend on what you intend to carve. 6 inch hand held figures would use different knives that chip carving. If you have a Woodcraft store anywhere close to where you live, they usually will let you try out a knife before you buy.

In addition to wearing the glove and thumb guard, before you cut, always look at the path the blade will take WHEN it slips or the wood breaks; if any part of your anatomy is in that potential path, either move the anatomy, or reposition the tool. This applies to gouges as well as knives.

Claude

[mpounders]

Sorby makes good lathe tools, so I suspect the carving tools are good also, although they might need to be sharpened or honed. It is easier also if you start with a knife that is sharp! Little Shavers is great, and the flexcut stuff is good also.

[Robson Valley]

Lee Valley 1000/4000 grit waterstone, a strop and some honing compound, then the knife.
Dull edges will drive you nuts, the chips and shavings should come off with almost no effort at all..

While it looks nice and sharpens easily, the Pfeil Brienz is a very, very big blade, the bevel is angled to the line of the handle. I'm finding less and less use for it as time goes along.
A Moor chip knife is the reverse, almost a hook bend (30degrees or so). Drag for long stop cuts. Good.
Flexcut (KD14?) has an edge parallel to the axis of the handle. Good.
I have a "surprise" knife in the mail from a very reputable small maker. I'm guessing the edge will be in line with the handle.

[Lazy Carver]

I use Flex-cut knives... I have no complaints... I know of other knives on the market like : Knotts, Helvie, Denny Schroeder, Drake, Mike Shipley, etc.... Try obtaining any knife of quality that you can, then go from there...
Sincerely, Rob (Lazy C.)

[Butch_Speer]

Got to agree with Schwert. Excellent advise.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I love these, Drake Knives.com (JMHO)

Dave

[Mark Dellinger]

I have to agree with everyone. I have the cheap starter knive for about $15, have some flexcuts, as well as a few made by Tom Ellis here on the site. I use to use one knife for about everything. I place the value of each based upon what I am carving. Each one is different and each one is designed for a particular use (more or less).

I would probably go with the starter kit, because it is reasonably priced, I hear nothing but good about Rick. Then as you progress, you may want to contact one of the folks here on the site. If I could afford to I would own a knife from everyone on the site that makes them. I think I may have just set a new goal.

Safe Carving and God Bless,

Mark