[davidinsarasota]

Sorry, I know there have been a gajillion "which knife" threads. I've never had or used a carving knife--went straight to gouges, chisels etc. For my current chess set project I can see how a knife would speed production.

Frankly, carving knives look weird to me, so certainly one that I am interested in for lining is this one:


A. Because it looks fairly normal; I can visualize how to sharpen it and it has a lot of steel, 'cause I sharpen and strop often.

In this next pic: A, G & L look do-able, but I would appreciate some input for those who use knives since looks may have no bearing on practical application.




Here is a pic showing how I would typically use the knife. I have cut the drawn line and removed the material under it to create a ridge feature. I used my small skew, but suspect a knife handle would be a lot more comfortable than the tool shaft.

[squbrigg]

I would suggest you start out with a Murphy knife, style A in the second photo. It is the mose flexable in terms of usage, I believe, and a good place to start. I have several of the ones you show, including the A in the first photo and it is not the knife I reach for the majority of the time. More and more often, I reach for one of the Murphy knives I have, each has similar shaped blades but slightly different profiles.

Bob

[AlArchie]

David, that Swiss Made in figure "A" appears to be what is generally configured to be a "marking" knife. These are used much like a fine pencil to mark stock for precision cutting. They are made in both right and left hand grinds; beveled on only one side.These can be used much the same as a skew, but work more comfortably in one direction than the other.

As it looks like you will be using your selection for "lining?" (is that the same as making a stop cut?) my choice would be "A" from the second illustration. It is a fairly small fine pointed blade with a comfortable looking handle.

"G" looks to be a bit blunt for that type of work and I think "L" with the upswept tip would have to be held in too much of a vertical grip to make comfortable stop cuts on small objects.

Just my 2 cents worth; and that's exactly what my opinion is worth; 2 cents. What's good for me may not be for you.

Al

[davidinsarasota]

Thanks Al. Yes, so far all of the lines I have (letters, features etc.) have been stop cuts.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I agree with Al...that knife is used as a marking knife...its also used as a "Luthiers" knife and an inlay knife......try a modified straight razor carving knife...if you can't make one, get one from Rick at little shavers...no others quite compare in my opinion

[kitaye]

I have A, B, and C. I use A for carving just about everything. B and C are for Chip carving and are not very good for anything else.

[Donald K. Mertz]

Every carver has there own personal choice and the best way for you is to try one or two of the different shapes and styles to get the feel for what works best for you. "A" with the wharncliffe blade often called a "bench knife" and sometimes a "Murphy" (because that was the brand not the shape) is the most common carving knive. I prefer a knife blade shaped like "L" with an up turn of the cutting edge and will mofify a "K" by sharpening the tip into a curved up cutting edge to use as a detail knife (although any tip end of a blade, the quarter of an inch tip end serves as a detail knife) the reason I like the up turned cutting edge blade is that the straight part of the blade is just like the straight cutting edge of the example of "A" and the tip that curves up becomes a skew cut, so two-in-one blades that make good slicing cuts. But then, that is just my personal preference, find one that suits you as long as it is sharp is all that counts.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Inexpensive - Get a Murphy from Little Shavers

More Expensive - Many, many out there including custom. I'd suggest calling Littleshavers and explaining what your going to be doing. They'll treat you right.

[davidinsarasota]

Ok, sounds good guys. I will go with the Murphy style knife and hold off on the marking knife for now.