knife edge type, Denny vs Flexcut

[xsailer]

Hello Senior members.

New member here with a question.

It nice to be a member of what appears to be very knowledgable group of folks.

I have Dennys knives and Flexcut knives. I like the way the Flexcut knives cut and would like to adapt the Dennys to the Flexcut blade style. I like to way the Flexcut cuts as opposed to the Denny but I would like very much to give the Denny a good chance for additions to my collection. The Denny looks to have a bevel cutting edge verses the Flexcut wedge style. Is it me that thinks the Flexcut cuts wood better or is it because I started with Flexcut knives before Denny. Or is it because I'm unexperienced in sharpening techniques? I've read a lot about sharpening( I know there is no replacement for experince)and have sharpened the Denny as best as I can without changing the blade edge style as it came to me new. I'm just not happy with the way it cuts compared to the Flexcut. If no reasonable thoughts come to me I will probably change the Denny blade edge to match more or less the Flexcut. I really don't want to alter the Denny blade if there isn't a good reason to other than my personal preference but I'm not happy with it the way it is now. I'm thinking maybe using the Denny blade style on roughout and the Flexcut style on detailing.
I'm looking forward to some experinced/ knowledgable feedback.

[AlArchie]

I don't own any Dennys, but do have some with similar grinds. The Flexcuts, with that shallow grind cut fast and easy with basswood, pine, tupelo, etc (the softer woods) and are good for close work even on the harder woods. The steeper bevels hold up better in harder woods and are able to bull their way through heavier cuts of the softer woods.

Two different tools for different types of carving.

You CAN alter the heavier blades to aproximate the bevel cuts of the Dennys, or anywhere up to that bevel. If you are really unhappy with the Denny bevel, try reducing it a step or two at a time. You might just find that somewhere between the original grind and the Flexcut's full bevel, is a bevel that you really like on the Denny.

Bevels are something we all play around with whether we realize it or not. A lot of the "It took me a long time to get this blade sharp" type statements, are really a short way of explaining that there were many adjustments on the bevel before we got them where we liked.

Rick might have some better info on this, but this is what I've found.

Al

[xsailer]

AlArchie, Hadn't thought of the harder woods as I've mostly been using Bass wood. Makes sense. I sure would like to use the Denny tools. I've noticed in several magazine pictures that Denny tools are in use by the carver and using a magnifying glass I can see the blade has been altered to a more full bevel.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I too prefer the flat blade versus the bevel and you can take it down using the scary sharp sandpaper method, or send it to Rick and for 2.00 he can put the right angle on it for you. As for hard woods, and deeper cuts on basswood...I have a couple of knives that don't have large prices or mean much...just bench knives I use for that sort of thing...Cowboy

[Kenny_S]

Yeper, What ALAand HI Ho said. I use the Flexcut knives on the softer woods and the denny on the harder woos, I have seriously damaged a Flexcut on walnut and took a little time to get it back to where it was. Rick can help ya out on both types but like ALA siad, two different knives for two different kinds of wood. Bevel or not beveled, that is the question.

[rick-in-seattle]

Thanks for your confidence gentlemen.

The primary differences between an average Denny knife and the flexcut tools are:

The Grind, the secondary bevel or lack thereof, width of the blade (sharp edge to back of blade), and finally the angle of the cutting edge to the handle centerline.

Of the items listed, the two that you are probably noticing are the width of the blade, and the angle to the handle centerline.

Not much can be done to change the angle of the blade, but much may be done to change the width. If the width were reduced, you would probably be satisfied with the Denny.

Also I see you are a fairly new carver; you can change the character of a straight bladed knife by choking up on the blade (when using just your fingers to hold the knife).

I also see you are a retired Aerospace Engineer; I am a windtunnel and developmental inspector (working under the engineering budget) 2-1/2 years from retirement.

[xsailer]

Rick,
Yes the width would determine the bevel. But if you just beveled back to within the width of the blade to get the angle of bevel you require you would have a side profile similar to the flexcut. I would think for heavy chip carving you may have a hard time cutting thru because of the blade thickness but for detailing (little chips) it would work fine. That is what my earlier referenced magazine picture looked like. Similar to your #47. By the way I'm #5 on your to do list.
From the way I'm writing it soulds like I've determined how I'm wanting to sharpen the Denny. I just don't want to make a mistake by changing the blade and find as I carve harder woods, as suggested by AlArchie earlier, that now I need another whole set of knives....OH MY,don't want to there.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Awww geeee, that would be terrible! a whole new set of knives!! Apple

[Dylan]

I started out with a Flexcut knife and about six mouths ago got a Denny. I use the Flexcut for all the rough work and the Denny for fine work like eyes and such.

What type of blade shape you have really determines what it can be used for. All though any knife can be modified.

Dylan

[xsailer]

Gosh Dylan, I started with Flexcut and bought Denny afterwards and like the way the Flexcut cuts for detail work. I must say though I resharpened the two Denny knives similar to the Flexcut ( longer bevel) and I like them a whole lot better. I'm looking forward to getting a razor knife in the near future