My first knife?

[sonsw87]

So I was looking for the right knife for my first project and I came across some knives that came up more often than others. Flexcut, oar carver, rough rider, kershaw double cross and buck. any suggestions on these or other knives? I am looking at folding pocket knives because I like to carve whenever i get time when im outside. Thanks!!

[Tom-H]

I like the OAR CARVER. Have both single lock back blade and the two blade knife. Course I have nearly every other knife made, but generally keep on using the pocket knives.

Tom H

[Nomad]

Of the ones you list, I would favor the Oar carver. Some flattening of the bevel or bevels (one blade or two) would be required though. If you don't feel comfortable doing that, you could send it to Allen Goodman or someone else that sharpens woodcarving knives.

[Tom-H]

Yeah Terry, forgot about that bevel. And one other thing to suggest. When sending a knife out to be re-shaped and/or sharpened, ask that the blade be polished. The last several times I have sent a new knife out it came back sharpened, but not polished.

Tom H

[Big Barn]

+1 on the Oar & also for the Kershaw double cross. Both are very good whittlin / pocket carry knives. Your best bet is to physically put them in your hand & see how they feel. Some pocket knives used for whittlin or carving may be a little short or thin in the hand & quickly become uncomfortable after 20-30 mins. For 'pocket' carry, you may want to look at a slightly larger knife like a large stockman or whittler pattern. The Whittin Jack by Flex Cut is a two blade folding knife but I wouldn't call it a 'pocket' knife, it's more of a folding pocket carver. Flex Cut also makes a folding 6 or 4 blade multi-carving tool (Carving Jack). But neither of these are something I would consider a 'pocket knife' either. IMO

[Alfwok]

My Oar carver is way to hard to open but it is pretty and comfortable and locks. I use a boker treebrand stockman. I like it because i have the 2 little blades sharpened for carving and keep the big one stock for everyday use. You want a long handle and carbon steel or highcarbon "HC" blades. stockman congress and whittler patterns are good. The sharpening is the most difficult part. If your just starting out you would be better off using a fixed blade carving knife that comes ready to carve with no sharpening or polishing needed ex drake knives. Or as others said send it out to someone who can sharpen it for you.

[sonsw87]

Thanks for great tip guys!!

Ok so i guess ill go for the oar carvers. Does anyone know where i can get them in Vancouver? So i can try them out on my hands b4 buying.. Also know anyone sharpen knives in Van? Sry its just that I had some bad experience sending stuff out.. Hope someone in this forum is from Vancouver

[sonsw87]

Also I was wondering how often i would have sharpen the knives.

[morganwoodcarver]

There should be no reason to sharpen the knife unless you chip or break the edge. You should maintain the edge with a buffing wheel or leather strop, leather wheel, etc. to keep it sharp. Maintaining the edge is done when you start to get drag or notice the edge not making nice clean cuts. That time will vary based on how much you use the knife.

[sonsw87]

Hmm.. but everyone suggested that i sharpen the oar carver b4 use even the new one..