knives??

[perrynp16]

My name is Perry and I am new to wood carving. I am looking to get my first carving knife but I cant figure out which to get. I see lots of kits out there. I can tell that some are obviously going to be ruined after a day and Ive seen others that look really nice but are 20 bucks a knife and I already know that just starting out that I dont need a bunch of nice knives to learn. So if anyone can tell me a good place to buy them from, what kind of steel to look for, and maybe the national brand like japanese or swedish or something like that. Thanks Perry

[Clifford_Parker]

Contact Rick at Little Shavers Wood Carving Supply and either buy a Murphy knife, a carving glove, and a thumbguard or order his beginner set. Either way you will be getting quality tools that are sharp and ready to carve as well as the safety equipment you need for starting.

[Mitchell]

This question is asked about every two months (or more often). What type of carving are you interested in?

I would suggest that you find a carver i your area and "network" to see what they like and also to use their tools to see what you like/dislike in a knife. What one person likes, another might not.

Carving knife suggestions

Just Starting Out

Pocket knife & carving

carving knives

Different knife blade shapes - what are they for?

Links in this thread (similar question): Tools and Tips for Getting Started

Not really knives, but somewhat related: Tools Recommendations?

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Welcome.....not sure why you think you would ruin a knife after one day? Planning on opening paint cans lol Talk to Rick at littleshavers...he will get you started right....and if you are opening paint cans...make your own knives ha ha......

[arbarnhart]

Open a paint can with a knife? I trained my kids better than that - they would use a Pfiel gouge.

[vicon1]

I have a lot of knives dunkle, flexcut, deepforge, but the best knive I have used is a Ron Wells it is scary sharp!

[chuckbolton]

my favorite knife for roughing out is a ron wells knife-- i have several others one is for fine detail work and it "rolls" better. mike shipley is now making ron wells knives and makes a detail knife. its not so much the name as does the knife in question does the job-- ron wells knives do hold their edge well. learn to make ur tool (knife, gouge, v-tool or what ever do what u want it to do. after watching gerald sears i intend to learn to do most things with a knife. you spend no time changing or looking for a tool. mike shipley does his carvings with fewer than 10 tools and 4 of them are knives. i dont even want to count the number i have--the real truth of the matter is-- all of the brands mentioned are good knives-- the problem arises when we sharpen them, or dont get them sharp. so in reality-- the ones we like are sharp and the ones we dont like-- cant generally be blamed on the knife--its the operator--

[scooter]

I'm all over Drake knives. They'll go through basswood like a hot knife through butter.

S~

[Dan S]

I'll throw in my two bits. Don't stress too much about the purchase. Buy a quality knife, you will end up buying more later anyway. They are sort of like crack or maybe like potato chips, you gotta have one more. If you can, try someone elses first. Mitchell is right. What everyone else likes may not be to your taste. Remember that the steel in the blade is more important than the pretty handle. Although, I can't seem to resist a pretty knife!
Be sure to buy the glove and thumb gaurd and get in the habit of using them from the start. I have some annoying nerve damage in my left thumb from a quick slip of a knife. Everytime I flip open a bottle of paint it reminds me not to be stupid.

Dan