Carving Knife Blade Care

[stvlange]

Hello - Let me apologize in advance if this topic is answered somewhere else, my searches did not turn up anything. I am new to carving, greener than any evergreen.

I recently attended a Boy Scouts of America training day and took a class in woodcarving. I had so much fun! So I decided to continue with carving and bought a Cape Forge Starter kit (#1 standard carving knife, strop, compound, glove and sheath).

My question is in regard to storage of the knife when done. I was speaking to a friend who said that it should be oiled to keep it safe from humidity/rust, etc.

If that advice is sound, what sort of oil is recommended, how much, how often, etc. I realize this sort of question may seem to simple and basic, but I haven't really done any woodworking with hand tools like this before.

Thanks in advance for any advice or tips you can give. If anyone can recommend a good carving school in the Chicago area (Near Naperville/Aurora), it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
-Steve

[AlArchie]

Steve, unless you are parking your knife for an extended period of time, you shouldn't need to oil it, but a light coating of any good oil sure won't hurt. 3 in one works fine, motor oil or even bearing grease wiped on lightly then wiped off.

If you do oill be sure to wipe the blade clean before you carve, or you may get some oil on your work.

I do oil my pocket knives as they tend to get a bit sweaty carrid around.

Al

[heineda]

Steve,

How did you like Owasippe? One of my favorite places on this continent. Not too many freshwater lakes left that have never had a motor in them!! If you stayed at Wolverine, then you must have taken the class at the craft cabin there, and probably used some Flexcut tools. When I went up there for the first time, they had tools purchased at Harbor Freight, and they could not cut balsa wood. I bought all of those flexcut tools, and donated them. My employer, Quaker Oats, doubled my donation, so it was not hard to do.

As for learning, the North Suburban Carvers Club is a fantastic group of carvers:

North Suburban Carvers
Phone: 847-358-2377 or 847-477-4621
Contact: Rick Breslich
Meetings: First and third Monday of each month, 6-9 PM
Meeting Address: Bensenville Park District, 100 Wood Street, Bensenville,IL
Cost: membership: $20 per year

They just had their artistry in wood show at the DuPage County Fairgrounds 2 weeks ago. If you attend one of their meetings, I'm sure they can provide instruction.

Also, every year in September, Joe Dillet hosts a week long event called a Gathering of Woodcarvers. This event features most of the finest wood carvers in the USA. There is a very minimal fee for the classes - usually just the cost of the wood, and camping space is provided on site cheap. You will learn more in one week there, than most people learn in a decade.

Good Luck,
Dan Heine

[CarverFromNoWhere]

Al is right on, but one thing he forgot is to be careful to not get the oil on the handles it could make it slippery.
Unless your in high humidity or are leaving the knife where it get hot and cold causing condensation ya should be fine. My shop is dryer then a desert and I just oil all my tools once a month after the monthly sharpening and checkup. I still sharpen after every time I carve and even while carving depending on what I am doing.
I just use the 3 in 1 oil or motor oil what ever is handy, wipe down the tools after having sharpened them all. I see cape forge has some new tools listed there, I might have to look into those mini knife kits.

By the way thank you for posting this question it is a very important one.
Carl

[FK]

My favorite protection is wax or silicone for the knife blade.

I keep a zip lock bag in the storrage area and when finished carving, just wipe down the blade with a silicone cloth or apply some paste wax and wipe it clean.

Oil will work however, it gets all over every thing too easily.

Regards,
FK

[stvlange]

Originally Posted by heineda

Steve,

How did you like Owasippe?

Hey Dan - I bought the knife online through their website, after hearing about the location from you I wish I could have been up there in person! Thanks for the info about the club I will check it out for sure!

[stvlange]

Wanted to thank everyone for the valuable advice, I really appreciate it!

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

WD-40 if you are worried about it.....

[Ron T]

Hello and welcome, Steve. Carving catches you real quick doesn't it? Well, enjoy and be careful.

[Merle Rice]

I've had Cape Forge Knives and Gouges for years and never put anything on them to keep them from Rusting. They look the same today as the day that I got them. It could be that they are highly polished. Merle