Carving Knives( Thin)

I would like to know if their is any one out their , that would know anything about carving knives that are very sharp and thin blades. I carve in a paint medium. I need a thin blade that will stay sharp and be able to sharpen it often. x-acto are great but I would like to be able to find something that is like this but can be sharpened. And a little larger. I buy 3,000. blades at a time. So need find something I can sharpen . Oh what is a easy sharpener that will make a knife sharp every time. Electric would be great. Oh Does any one know of carving lessons in Washington. Around Issaquah Wa
Thank you so much
Fre4life1

[Donna_T]

Hi Fre4,
I just checked the Colwood Electronics board listing for carving clubs and didn't see one specifically for your town. However, if you will check it out, you may know which town is closest to you--if any.

http://www.woodburning.com/clubs.htm#WA

I'm not aware of any particular source for knives with long thin blades. I did buy one from a regional knife maker about 5 years ago, but don't really recall seeing them anywhere else. I use it for some really fine detailing.

Sharpening is a question that all of us have searched for the ultimate answer. Don't know that we've found it, but each of us have kinda evolved in our sharpening techniques...but always looking for something better. Personally, I don't know of anything better than an Arkansas stone and a good strop to sharpen a knife.

Good luck.
Donna T

Have you tried surgical knives? There is a surgical knife with a replaceable blade., similar to an exacto, but better steel, and sharper. I don't know how it would be to re-sharpen. Check with a local jewelry equipment supplier and see if they have them. I worked with one for years in Jewelry manufacturing using it in fine wax work for casting. Dick

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I used to work in a couple of print shops doing art work and used exacto knives....I always kept a fine stone around and would run the blade across it every so often, will soon be like a razor.....for what you are doing, that might be the solution...and if not a stone, buy some two thousand grit sandpaper and glue it down to a piece of wood to act as a strop.

[Colin-Partridge]

I agree exacto blades and surgical blades are you answer when they get dull they are like any other blade a little stropping will bring them back to razor sharp. If they are damaged to where you cant strop them then just throw them away but most of the time stropping is all that you need.
Colin

[Captain_Bandaid]

Check out Warren Cutlery for replaceable blades, look for the Swedish Tool Steel Blades: www.warrencutlery.com . These are better blades than Exacto and they do sell them in bulk.

fre4life, try http://www.ronwellswoodcarving.com Ron makes a thin blade knife, that is easy to keep an edge on. His prices are excellent. Be sure to check out the gouge also, it is great for clean up.

Have a greaat day,
Tim

Try #11 scalpel blades