Which Carving knife?

[GeorgiaCarver]

I have placed an order with Rick for one of his fine knives, but it will be a little while until he is able to make me one, which is fine........

However, I would like to buy another knife to fill in until he is able to make me one.

I ordered two knives from Flexcut last week they are the mini-chip knife and the mini-pelican knife. They arrived today, not what I expected so I need some advice.

I have been trying to characture carve with my Pfiel carving tools, I think I need a knife for roughing out the block. What knife would you recomend? Like I said earlier I will be getting a nice knife from Rick here in a month or two but until then......?

Thanks,

Greg

[JIM QUILICI]

Originally Posted by Whatsthat

I have placed an order with Rick for one of his fine knives, but it will be a little while until he is able to make me one, which is fine........

However, I would like to buy another knife to fill in until he is able to make me one.

I ordered two knives from Flexcut last week they are the mini-chip knife and the mini-pelican knife. They arrived today, not what I expected so I need some advice.

I have been trying to characture carve with my Pfiel carving tools, I think I need a knife for roughing out the block. What knife would you recomend? Like I said earlier I will be getting a nice knife from Rick here in a month or two but until then......?

Thanks,

Greg

I think you made a very good choice to buy one of ricks knives, you will be pleased. from all the other knives that you will own that one will be one of your favorites. I also have 5 cape forge knives . they have a hardness of 62 rockwell which is pretty hard but not too hard that means that they stay sharp longer.if you are going to carve caricatures you will need a general carving blade ( for that I have the #1 and #2 cape forge) I do not like the #1 because it is just the upside down of # 2 and when you pick it up you think it is the #2 and you cut your self because its upside downand what you think is the top of the blade is the sharp side . also you will need a detail knife (for eyes , belt buckels etc.) for that I have 2 # 3s one minuture and one normal 3/4 long . I also have a #8 just for stop cuts. rick sells cape forge knives also if you want to see the different blades they sell look at www.capeforge.com hope this helps

Just old Jim

[Clifford_Parker]

I would suggest a Murphy knife for roughing out. Rick carries them too.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

An excellent knife for the least money is a Harold Woods knife, www.woodysknives.com look under the carving section...tell him Dave sent you. So far that has been the only one I use lately...........but Rick at Helvie is reworking my Helvie knife, who knows it may be a favorite soon....about Ricks razor knives......they are already "legendary" like the man! ha ha.....did I say that right Rick?

[Sam]

A Pfiel #1 and #11 are excellent knives for roughing and detail, respectively. I have found the #11 up to the roughing job too. They hold an edge just like the Pfiel gouges. Flexcut has a roughing knife and a detail knife that also works well - check out their web site.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Being as how it's only temporary until your Rick Special arrives, I'd order a Murphy from Rick. They are excellent knives, don't cost much, and Rick will sharpen it for you.

[Kenny_S]

You order one of the best knives around. Go one step more and order a mmurphy knife or one he has in his beginners package. Oh to have had Rick around when I ot into carving.

Call Rick up and he will set you up with what you need and another great thing is, the prices.

[Bartster]

you may also want to look at the denny knives good knives for a good price he has a web site it is www.dennyknives.combart

[GeorgiaCarver]

Thank you for the feedback!

[Claude]

Whatsthat:
Since you already have the two flexcut knives, return one of the them (I'd suggest keeping the mini-pelican, and get the Flexcut detail knife instead. Since you're in the same brand, they might be willing to swap you with very little hassle. I use the Flexcut detail knife for almost everything. I've dropped it on the concrete floor twice, both times with point down, and each time lost about 1/8 inch of the tip. I slowly ground down the back of the knife to avoid overheating the blade and resharpened each time. Recently, I bought a Butz detail knife to use for the really fine cuts - good knife, but I'm having trouble getting the tip sharp. It's such a fine tip, I suspect that my leather strop is rounding it instead of putting a final edge on it. Guess I'll have to just rub the honing compound on a piece of smooth flat hardwood - it'll take longer, but I know it'll work eventually.

Claude