[SmallJawz]

I have tried Helvie, Lyons and Ron Wells knives but seem to like Flexcut knives the best.
How about you all ??

Brian

[Donna_T]

I use my Helvie to do most of my heavy duty knife carving--so it's my favorite. I've had a Ron Wells detail knife for about 8 years and when I need some fine tuning done to a carving, I use it. I have several other knives, including a homemade one that a good friend gave me cause the bone-handle was too small for his hands and from time to time I use them.
Donna T

[Mike-in-WV]

For most of my carvings I use my palm tools and pocket knives including my new Pelican case knife. About a week ago I recieved my first Flexcut knife and I could not be happier. Handled a lot of knives in my day but have never seen a knife this sharp or well built. I'm about to order there detail knife next and will probably have the whole set over time, can't afford to buy the whole set at one time. Mike

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

I've got all the ones you have mentioned plus a bunch more. Of the one you mentioned, I like the Helvie best and the flexcut least. If I had my choice of all the ones I own, I like the homemade ones from old staight razors best, followed closely by a couple made from murphy blades and the Helvies. The ones I like the least (of around 50) are the Flexcut and one I made from some piece of unknown piece of steel I had laying around the shop (mostly I messed up the handle design).

[Oops_Ouch]

Since I use mostly full sized gouges, my opinion on knives may not be worth much - but here goes.

I have not been really happy with the Flexcut knives I have owned with the major exception of the mini-pelican knife which I have found to be excellent. I have not tried the detail knife and I think that I should.

Two makes that have worked very well for me are Diobsud and the crooked knives from Kestrel.

In the end I think that everyone eventually finds what feels most comfortable to themselves.

Jim

[Nancy_G]

My favorites have always been my old Knotts but I've found Diobsub and I'm HAPPY. Flexcut does nothing for me. Knives or gouges -- there's nothing like a Diobsud. I just wish they came in a larger range of sizes & shapes.

[Nancy_G]

SmallJawz -- to have you with us. Tell us what you carve. Better yet, show us what you carve !!

[Anthony Filetti]

I use Helvie knives. I've had two for about 8 years and they have been comfortable and hold their edge well. I am very pleased with these and do not foresee a change, unless I purchase more.

I also have a Butz detail knife, this knife required extensive stropping (thank goodness for my power strop) to bring it to the sharpness required for detailing. The knife has a cherry handle. This week i had to take a peen to the rivets (appear to be brass) to flatten them out. So overall this knife proves to be usedful (it's shape), but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.

[Kenny_S]

I am a fan of Helvies knives and have 3 of them. Also, Flexcut detailer, a couple of Dennys, Couple of Murphy's and a couple home made ones out of a saw mill blades. In order of use, Helvies,Flexcut,Denny.

I carry a couple of pocket knives, Boker and a Case.

Welcome to the board.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Being as how Kenny brought up pocket knives, here's what I carry:
Kershaw Double Cross
Model 303 Buck
Swiss army knife (can't remember the model, but fairly large one) on my belt.

All with modified blades. Rick in Seattle performed the surgery on the Kershaw, the rest were done by myself.