Mill Knife

[Hexhead]

I'm making some signs. I use a Pantograph for most but it has it's limitations. I want to do some hand carving and I'm looking for a good mill knife. Do you know were I can get one for a reasonable price, or anyone out there have a used one? I'm on a fixed income so I have to count my pennies.

Thanks Bill

[Claude]

I did a google search on "mill knife" and can't imagine using something like that to carve wood. If you really want inexpensive, but good, go down to home depot or lowes and get a fixed blade utility knife. Stanley used to make them for just a few dollars. Here's one example: Contractor Grade Fixed Blade Utility Knife - 10-209 at The Home Depot
You should get the fixed blade one, not a folding or retractable, for safety. There are quite a few people here on the forum that carve with a utility knife. Here's the main proponent of the item: OutWestWoodCarving Lynn does most of his carvings with a utility knife he calls "old reliable". You also need a strop and some stropping compound to keep the blades sharp. Go up to the green bar above, click on Search, enter the word "strop" and you'll get lots of messages here that discuss strops, how to make them, how to use them, etc.

Claude

[papasar]

Bill,
Try this site
Woodworking Supplies at Highland Woodworking - Tools for Woodworking - Search

Bought one myself yrs ago cuz the author of the sign carving book used one.
That was before I learned to carve. Never used the darn thing. Not sure where its at since I moved awhile back.
Bill K.

[AlArchie]

Maybe this is a source......Mill & Rubber Knives

Al

[gtech]

The only Mill Knife I tried is this one



but the blade is too tick and needs some work.

The utility knife is better for wood and chip carving.

Gilles

[carver33]

Bill,

When it comes to carving tools, you'll get a ton of replies as to what's best. Several of the carvers on this site seem to like the replaceable blade utility knives, but I personally don't care for them. I prefer fixed blade carving knives, and make my own to fit my personal style. However, there are several very nice carving knives available for purchase.

I hadn't heard of mill knives before your post, but a Google search turned up this little item:

Mill Knife | Wood Carving Knife

If your signs are fairly large (3 or 4 feet or more), this might be the ticket. You might also want a smaller knife for detailed clean-up work. Also, a few gouges would probably come in very handy for this sort of carving.

[Magicman]

Harbor Freight sells one for about $7.00, look at it on line.
Larry

[Hexhead]

I liked the old west wood carving.site. I learned about the Mill knife from a book I got called " Carving signs" By Greg Krockta and Roger Schroeder, They made hundreds of signs and they are top notch, gold leaf the whole bit, Schools signs, professional people, resorts etc. The width of the blade didn't seem to matter because they were making pretty big letters. The bevel on the blade seemed to allow them to make "V" cut without having to lay the knife over to much.. I liked the flatness of the hand too. I've got utility knives coming out of my ears, so I'll give it a try. I looked up all the info you guys gave, good stuff.

Thanks

[papasar]

Bill,
I too bought the same book. Couple yrs later joined a club where both authors were members. Greg Krockta demoed at one of our meetings. The blade on the mill knife is much thicker than a utility knife. Pictures can be deceiving. You still have the slant the knife to get the angle desired. The bevel will no do it for wide letters and most sign letters are wide.
Bill K.

[Hexhead]

WHEN HE DEMOED WAS HE USING A MILL KNIFE? DID IT TURN OUT GOOD? I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT WIDE LETTERS. NOT TRYING TO BE ARGUMENTATIVE, JUST CAN'T GET MY HEAD AROUND IT. ( I JUST LOOKED AND IT WAS ALL UPPERCASE) TOO LAZY TO CHANGE IT.

Thanks