Beginner's Knife -- Murphy Carving Knife

[PaulPinkston]

I am a New carver and I do not understand why the Murphy Carving Knife is considered to be a "Beginner's Knife"? It seems to do what I need it to do, at this point.

Is the knife made of poor quality material and may not hold up as a more costly knife would. Thus the cheaper price of the Murphy Knife and a shorter life span.

Thanks,

Paul

[carlt]

Paul,

I don't own a Murphy knife, but have used one in the past. I sharpened and stopped it, worked just fine!!! Most carving knives are made of 01 tool steel, with a piece of wood as a handle. If it works for you, keep it sharp and wear it out. Hope this helps. My modest opinion only!

Carl

[PaulPinkston]

Thanks for the reply.

Paul

[Old Codger]

Hi Paul... I have an often use a Murphy knife... It's a good all around knife that holds it's edge fairly well. I normally use one of my Drake knives or a Hock knife but still go back to my ole Murphy knife at times... It's a good knife and certainly worth it's price if not more...a beginner can't go wrong with one and even many experienced carvers still use one while using more expensive knives for detail or more specific carving techniques... Remember, it's NOT the knife, it's the carver who carves the carving. Hope this at least partially answers you question and safe carving to you.
Kenn

[Claude]

Hi, Paul.
Because it's a decent all-purpose carving knife at a fairly low price. If a beginner decides to not carve any more, he/she is not out a lot of money. If he/she wants to continue carving, the knife is still a good all-purpose knife. You may find that the handle is too small (if you have large hands), so you might want to eventually get a custom built knife with a fat handle, for example. Or, you might want to eventually get a small, thin, long detail blade for reaching difficult spots. Or...

Claude

[mpounders]

It's marketing! In-expensive, decent, low price might make some shy away from the knife. But calling it a beginner's knife would encourage someone new that this is just the thing to start out with, AND it is a low price! Like Kenn said, it's the carver, not the knife. I like knives and I have some different types that do certain things a little better that others of different shapes. A famous carver who passed away recently used a cheap kitchen knife. Lynn Doughty's skill with a utility knife convinced a lot of people to give it a shot and it is my favorite knife. Some people own more expensive cars, but it doesn't make them better drivers!

[schwert]

I have a huge problem with many inexpensive knives being touted as beginner tools.

A beginner NEEDS a well sharpened tool out of the box in my view. This way they can both see how a properly tuned knife works in the wood and then learn to maintain its edge without a load of reprofiling required.

An inexpensive Murphy knife needs to be properly sharpened before it is used. How is a beginner expected to know how to properly tune a knife? And without a proper edge the beginner thinks their skill is at fault rather than the tool not being suitable for use as supplied.

I think a beginner is much better served with a knife from a good maker supplied ready to use.

So many believe it is better for a beginner to not waste a lot of money on a tool until they KNOW they want to carve...this is a huge mistake. First the cost difference between a top end knife and a Murphy is really not all that much, and second if the beginner finds carving not to their liking it is bog simple to sell off the tool at very little loss right here.

There really is nothing wrong with a Murphy knife as the base for preparing a good tool...but to recommend one to a beginner is more likely to result in frustration with carving.

There are many small makers of carving knives here that with an email or two can supply a raw beginner with a knife that will most likely result in satisfaction right out of the box on their first piece of wood....This is what a beginner ought to do.

[Claude]

Originally Posted by schwert

...
An inexpensive Murphy knife needs to be properly sharpened before it is used.
...

I agree. However, I usually recommend that beginners purchase the beginner's set from Rick at Little Shavers Wood Carving Supply and Rick sharpens all the tools properly before sending them out.

Claude

[Eddy-Smiles]

I think another thing to take into consideration is that each blade has a unique feel as a result of the way it's made, how thin it is, how it's ground...i.e... While it's true that any carver or whittler can make due with any knife as long as it's properly sharpened, at some point (no pun intended) many carvers move choose to upgrade in quality, style, or manufacturer, out of personal preference.

[PaulPinkston]

Thanks for all the great replys

Paul