Protecting sharp Carving Knives

[STAR]

Since I have joined here I have received a lot of help from quite a few. Being new to carving I am undergoing a steep learning curve. From being hopeless at sharpening before joining I am pleased to say that the two HSS Carving knives I have made from an old HSS metal circular saw are razor sharp.

I only have to look at them to cut myself., Mind you it took about 12 attempts at getting the angle with out a bevel and hours and hours of redoing, but thanks to several members here I think I may have come out the opther side providing I can get some repeatability next time. I am not touching these babies again until they need a slight touch up.

Now, here is another problem. You solve one and you are presented with two more. When you have the carving knifes on your bench we have no problems , it is easy to make a little stand with clear acrylic perspec on the front and the rear so you can see what you have and at the same time give you protection from cutting yourself.

But, if you want to transport them to a club or somewhere how do you protect the edge and your hands. because carving knives have short blades which presents some difficulties. I saw where somebody recommended corks but what else can you do.

The odd shape of the handles makes a roll a bit difficult and the short blade is very sharp. If you use a roll how would you design it and is their another option.

Pete

[Old Scout]

For what its worth: I use wood protectors a shown in old issues of WCMag. Take 2 pieces of wood say ,1x2x3/8 thick, lay your blade on one piece & scribe around it. relieve wood so blade is flush ,then glue the other piece to the relieved one. after it sets up carve whatever you like on the protector. I have one that is a duck head, one a moose[cow] head, a ice cream cone etc They work great& are interesting. I have heard that cork has enough grit so it will dull your edge. Good luck!!!

[pallin]

Many carvers use a piece of Tygon tubing of appropriate size. The Kestral knives I recently bought have pieces of automotive gas line tubing.

[oldbearx2]

I agree with pallin, I use the clear tubing, lets you see what the blade shape is, also use it on my gouges. Depending on the number of tools you have you can try a plastic tackle box. I have wooden tool holders on by carving bench but use a tackle box when I travel.

[Donna_T]

Star,
I, too, agree with the plastic tubing. The nice thing is that it comes in all sizes so you can get the size that fits your carving tool. Our local hardware store has the tubing on a rack--sells it by the foot. I usually buy a foot of 2-3 different dimensions--then just cut it to the length I need to go over the blade and fit snug onto the wood handle where the blade joins the handle.

When I first started getting the tubing, it was thick and not very flexible. However, in recent years, it's gotten thinner and it works perfectly for safely transporting tools. I usually cut it 1/2" or so longer than the blade for additional buffer.

You're so right--you solve one problem and another crops up. But this is a great place to help solve carving problems.

Happy Carving!
Donna_T

[SlowMover]

I agree with the plastic tubing, available at most "real" hardware stores for a modest price per foot..comes in a wide range of sizes so you should be able to find the size that fits over the tip of the handle to anchor it in place while protecting the blade...I use it for all my tools...I make it a practice to keep the tubing over ALL TOOLS that I don't have in my hand at the time, as with the tube in place the tool tip is protected if you accidentaly drop it or knock it off of the table/bench...make sure you protect your tips at all times (there is a story behind this tip..don't repeat my mistake)

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I also use the plastic tubing.

Dave

[Merle Rice]

I don't know where I got this idea, maybe WCI. I took an empty Milk Jug and cut strips about 1" wide and 8" long, then fold it in half, then fold each end in to the middle, then fold the 2 halves together with the the folded sides together. Take a Plastic Tie and tie the sides together. The sizes doesn't matter, it depends on the size of the Knife. I have Leather covers that I got from Cape Forge and use this method for inserts. Been using mine for a couple of years with great success. Hope my explaining the method is clear, if not let me know. Merle

[Kenny_S]

Neat Idea Merle. I am lazy and just use the tubeing when I travel. Inexpensive as well as your Idea is also!

[kdispoto]

I've been using plastic toothbrush covers and some old plastic cigar tubes someone gave me.