gordo

[gordo]

i have my knives as sharp as i can get them , you can shave with them but.when i look at these videos these guys seem to cut throught the wood easier then i can .i use basswood but it seem to be harder than i see others use .is there something i can to make it easier ?

[jimmy joe]

A 50/50 mix of denatured alcohol and water works well to soften the wood . Your blade may be sharp but not flat . Arlene from this site has a pretty good video on you tube describing it . I think she is listed under Carvers wood shop but not sure .

[kdispoto]

Jimmy, could you elaborate? Do you soak the piece -how long? Do you let it dry - how long?

[Buffalo Bif]

Shaving is a good start, but I found out my blades can be sharper. I was not stropping often enough, and not using enough compound on the strop. Hope this helps.

[Dicky]

Like Jimmy Joe, my advice would be to flatten the blade.

[cgm]

There are a few things that makes it possible to have the knife cut through thru wood easily.
>A blade that is thin and flat on sides. >With a micro bevel that will hold up and not chip at the cutting edge. >Use slicing cuts. >When the blade is going through the wood the blade is at an angle to the direction it is going. >And lots of things like how you use the knife. Its the little tricks that make the difference. Keep practicing and you will get there.
Carl

[Just Carving]

It may just be the basswood. If the basswood has been laying around for a while, it could be dry. Try a piece of pine (not everybody likes carving it but it is softer), butternut, or even a piece of green wood--a branch from any tree will work as long as it's green. If your knives are sharp, they'll slice through them with little or no trouble. If not, then they'll need to be looked at. You can also try using a 3 dollar fixed blade utility knife. The blades are sharp and will cut wood right out of the package. If you can slice of the end grain of a block with Ol' Reliable, then the wood is good. If you can do that with your knife, then the knife is good too.

It could also be technique. I find I have more strength and better control by pushing the back of the blade with my left thumb as I'm holding and steering the knife with my right hand. Takes a little practice, but it's worth investigating.

The blade not being thin enough could also be the answer. I resharpened my blades so they are flat--running from the blade's edge to the back of the blade.

Bob L

[Tom-H]

Do everything thats been suggested then wax the blade....That might help.

Tom H

[Dicky]

Waxing the blade is an interesting idea. Will give it a try. Thanks for the tip Tom.

[northwood bob]

As jimmyjoe indicated, I keep a spray bottle of the alshol/water mixture on my bench. just spray thesurface of the piece and tools slice through it much easier. It simulates green wood which is much easier to carve. Try this and you will be amazed.

Bob