[Just Carving]

The funny thing about all this is I thought about getting the Butz knife a while ago, but I thought I'd make one of my own first to see if I liked the handle. I liked it so much, I decided not to get one! And now I'm glad I didn't.

I used a Stanley folding knife replacement blade I bought a while back and never used--it was too flexible in the folding knife--Stanley says it's 0.020" thick. But it's a flexible blade that I wanted in the Butz knife since all my other knives are rigid. The blade is 1 3/4" long. The handle is made from a piece of cherry wood off one of my trees, and sprayed with several coats of Rustoleum high lustre gloss clear lacquer. Here's a pic of my Butz knock-off.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Nice job just carving, I guess I should have bought a knife from you instead of Butz.

Dave
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[Eddy Smiles]

Dave...

Sit down an write a politically correct nasty letter to "Butz"! I posted last month that I had bought a Walnut Hollow knife and had the same expireince with it as you've had with the Butz. After my letter to Walnit Hollow I received a package of free stuff including a replacement knife. It's not any sharper than the first one but now of I have two knives.

You really have to be careful when purchasing carving implements. Unless they say pre-sharpened and ready for use you can bet that you've got some work ahead. And even then their idea of sharp and a carver's idea of sharp are at opposite ends of the spectrum!

[SeaChips]

Originally Posted by Gulf Coast Handyman

I picked up a Butz detail knife today at Woodcraft, it is as dull as dull could be, is this normal ? I have a Flex cut detail and others that came nice and sharp, I assumed they all came sharp. I really liked the shape of the blade and the fact that it was thin. Should I get it sharpened or return it ?

Dave

I bought a Butz knife at Woodcraft in St. Louis. Before I left, they sharpened the knife free of charge. I have to tell you that it is one of my favorite knives. I modified the handle a little, and it is sharp as can be. It holds its edge! If you get that knife sharpened, I believe you'll find it a good knife. Gwen

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

On the other hand, if the knife is cheap enough initially and worth the time you will put in it...........there is something to be said for sharpening it yourself and putting the edge you want on it! and probably what they would say to you if you contacted them.....

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

At this point I take the whole thing as a learning lesson and time to move on.

Dave

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Hey Eddy thats funny that you bring up walnut hollow, I also bought one of those knives several years ago and of course never used it because it was dull, (you think I would have learned from that). Maybe time to write two letters. BTW the Clearwater Woodcraft is a great store, I felt like a kid in a toy store.

Dave
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[cats pa]

Hey JC, that is one cute little knife. I like the knot toward the end - it looks like an eye.

Parker

[Eddy Smiles]

Dave... The WH knife is cheaply made but after a correct sharpening it goes through basswood like a table knife through butter. I've paid $10.00 plus for knife blanks and had to make my own handles. This one came with a handle so I'm ahead of the game, especially since I only paid half price for it. You've got to love those Michael's %50 off coupons!

I don't want to take anything away from Little Shavers but it's not all that difficult to put a good edge on a knife and in fact is great practice. It's like learning to ride a bike. You may fall off a bit at the begining but once you get the hang of it nothing can stop you.

[Canopener]

Just to play devils advocate, and I would rather get a sharp knife also; but I think this is kind of a european/master carver thing that assumes you:
A, know how to sharpen a knife
B, will sharpen the knife to your exact specs and modify as you see fit.
Just stuff I have read about.
Jim