[Manteo]

What two knives that, are commercially available, would you recommend to a beginner doing in-the-round carving? I seem to be on a quest to find the best carving knife.

[Bob_in_TN]

Helvie, Lyons, Denny

and others, but you can't go wrong with any of these. JMHO

Others will disagree, and that's fine.

Bob

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Others will disagree,

Not me. I agree. I've got my favorites, but those are all good knives. No need to muddy the water.

[heineda]

Hello,

My top two choices would be a Helvie roughout knife, and a Ron Wells knife. Both come ready to use and razor sharp.

Carving,
Dan Heine

[Just Carving]

Welcome Manteo.

Asking which knife is best is like asking which tire is best for your car. There are many brands and types and each has its own distinct qualities. My suggestion is to reach out to a carving club or other carvers in your area, and see if you can see and try the different knives available.

Until you can do that, the most important quality with any knife is for it to be sharp. So, learning to sharpen should be your first task. This can be practiced with any knife--even an old non-serrated kitchen knife that never gets used. You might even find that knife to be your favorite to carve with--its happened before and it will again! It may not be the best choice, but it'll work in carving.

As far as learning about the different knives, you can search this forum for previous posts on knives, and learn a lot about what's available and what the likes and dislikes are.

From there, you can go to the different manufacturers' websites, and see and learn some more. But in the meantime, you can read what gets posted here, and ask more questions. Good luck!

[Bob_in_TN]

Don't know how I forgot Ron Wells, he gets my vote too.

Thanks Dan for waking my brain.

Bob

[Manteo]

Thanks for the advice. What do you think about the Warren interchangeable blades? They seem fairly cheap and could be replaced easily.

[artolver]

Warren is good ...I couldn't afford them when I started. Had to go with a Europian carving knife and a kit of xacto tools...They worked good too.

art

[Thomp]

Warren blades are great for beginner carvers i have 3 beginners that are using warren blades i fixed into handles perminately for them...
they are learning that warren blades work but they get a lot of practice sharpening as well.. so remember you get what you pay for.

although the blades were given to me, and i am gratefu for the guift, i felt it necessary to share my fortune with the beginners, warren has quite a selection they come sharp but not carving sharp.. they are flexable to an extent but not as flemsy as exacto blades.. but they are not hard steel. and require lots of honing while carving.
the hooked blades come in quite handy for tight places.


But you will fall in love with a hard carbon steel blades made from quality steel. they require so much less sharpening and honing maintence while your in a carving session... unless your carving rock hard peach pits or hemlock knots...
then any tool will suffer.

i took an old dark steel paring knife and redesigned it with a new handle and shaped into a pattern knife, i found the knife at a flea market the blade was nearly black with oxide..looked like it had been blued from age.. seams this is an indicator of good old german steel??.
turns out it was a good blade and is amoung my favorites now days..

so as a beginner dont run out and toss out $200 for a new knife, yet.. learn how to maintaain a good sharp knife.

i wouldnt quote any specific brand of knive becuse i dont have much experiance with other brands, but quality tools are always money in the bank, instead of saving on several less durable quality items.

[Kenny_S]

Flexcut, Helvies, Denny, Drastra, Case pocket knives. Never used Warrens or Ron Wells so can't say about them.
Go to www.littleshavers.com.
Great knives and different brands, great prices and super great service. I have ordered from them and will again for sure. Probably before any other vendor.
Ricks begginers kit comes with all you will need to start out, Knife, gouges, glove,, thumbguard,strop.strop compound, edge protector, and a nice case that they all fit is for the price of waht a knife would cost plus, The knife and gouges come sharpe ready to used. And tRick will resharpen them if ya dull them. Can't beat a deal like that.