Best Bench/Roughout Knife for under $25

[desiknow]

Hey guys, what your favorite standard bench knife for under $25.

Desi

[Kenny_S]

Flexcut, detailer,roughout, pelican; Then one of Denny. My first helvies were under $25 each but ya can't touch one for that anymore. But my all time favorite is a Case Stockman pocket knife.

[Just Carving]

Just recently became a convert--Stanley Classic 199. I think I spent a big whopping $4.59. THANK YOU to Mr. Lynn O. Doughty who made me realize that it's okay to break the "Traditional" rules by using a utility knife--or box cutter as he prefers to call them. In my book, if it works, that's all that matters. This knife is sharp, and I can do a lot before I need to pick up a different tool. Best part, it goes a long way before the blade needs some honing or sharpening. Just make sure to use the heavy duty blades, and a fixed blade handle--NEVER a retractable model. I might try the folding fixed blade model, but I'll have to see on that.

http://www.stanleytools.com/default....+Utility+Knife

But if you want the economy model, this is about the cheapest I've been able to find.

http://www.northernsafety.com/cart/c...2113&ACTION=01

Looks the same as the Stanley, but no "Stanley" on it. That's okay my name is Bob.

In either case, you're gonna need to sharpen that bad boy, and then strop and hone it, too.

M-a-a-a-annn! There's always a catch, ain't there?!?!?

[Mike-in-WV]

Well, I have to agree with Kenny about the flexcut. Also have a couple of very old pocket knives on the bench along with a hooked roofers knife that I really like for removing bark from my walking staffs.

[Bartster]

desiknow,

for under 25 bucks you cant beat a denny knife, they are sharp and easy to keep that way with just stropping. most any supplier has them. in a wide range of blade lengths, for a starter i would go with a 1 1/2 or 1 7/8 blade.

bart

[Tom-H]

Bob, I too use the box cutter for roughing. But, I have also been using it for more than the roughing. The large flat surface and the straight edges make it very easy to cut small and large flat planes. I also have used a folding box cutter, but find them not as comfortable in the hand.. Tom H

[Just Carving]

Tom,

I looked at the folding cutter this afternoon, and I'm sticking with the 199. That folding cutter looked like a blister in the making with the thumb button sticking out of the blade. I already have a folding knife with the thumb button, and it can be an annoying pain sometimes--parden the pun.

You're right about the point on the blade--it can set you up to lift out some nifty chips and leave some sharp corners. I do want to grind off that corner on the back of the blade. It's annoying when I get my thumb on top of the blade. I'm thinking modifying the blade to get rid of the corner and maybe taking just a little bit off the top of the handle so the thumb sits on a nice smooth arc when pushing the blade through the wood.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Never....I repeat.....NEVER use a utility knife that has a retracting blade or one of those that have the folding or snap-off blades. THEY ARE DANGEROUS! You want a handle that locks those blades firmly in place. I use the cheaper version of the two models Bob referred to in his post, plus I have a couple of real old Stanley handles that they don't make anymore. About five years ago I bought a contractors blade pack that has 100 blades.......Talk about cheap! Still using it! Us Okies are always on the lookout for a good deal!

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I just got a Frost knife from woodcraft, 2 5/16 in blade, great roughin, bench knife and sharp...has a laminated blade 12.00 less shipping

[desiknow]

This is great!!!

I wouldn't mind some more suggestions or confirmations.

So far it looks like flexcut, Denny, and a Stanley Box cutter are in the lead.

Gimmie More!!