[cedarshavings]

I just got a new Dave Lyons knife. Of course it's already sharp but do I need to use the strop on it to try and get it sharper or does it come plenty sharp enough for all I need to do? I've done some carving that I thought should be easier but I don't know if it's me, the knife or the wood.

[K. Ellenburg]

LOL You sound like me. After watching a few of Gene's videos and how easy his knife cut through the wood, I cant figure out if my knife is dull or if the wood is too hard or if Im just not using the right amount of pressure, but it seems to me that if a knife is sharp enough you shouldnt have to use much pressure at all.

[cedarshavings]

Wow,,,,you sure are reading my mind. Gene's videos are so impressive that the rest of us are second guessing ourselves. I didn't mention it in my post but that is exactly why I asked because I've been watching his videos and I swear I think he's carving a block of cheese.
Dang it, I've even bought a new knife because of him. Actually I knew I needed one, he just speeded up the process for me.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Go ahead and strop it. It won't hurt it and may or may not help it out. You should strop it ever 15 or 20 minutes anyway.

[Callynne]

Hmmmmm, all my Dave Lyons knives have been super sharp when I received them! I agree with Ed though, go ahead and strop it, can't hurt, that's for sure. I also strop whatever I'm using, knife or gouges every twenty minutes or so while I'm carving, just those few strokes keeps everything razor sharp!

Do you wet your wood while working? I do that while hand carving, makes things sooooo much easier! Just mix half water, half rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle, spritz the piece and carving is ever so much easier! Deborah
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[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Strop it! You cannot have a knife too sharp LOL. As for Genes video, it could very well be that he is using a top quality wood too! My wood....errr.....not so top quality, except for the Heinecke I bought, that I am saving until I use up my not so good wood.....why? I have no idea?

[cedarshavings]

Thanks for the responses. I think I see what I need to do.
If you got it, strop it!

Deborah, thanks for the wet wood tip also, I haven't heard that one.

Steve

[K. Ellenburg]

Originally Posted by Hi_Ho_Sliver

Strop it! You cannot have a knife too sharp LOL. As for Genes video, it could very well be that he is using a top quality wood too! My wood....errr.....not so top quality, except for the Heinecke I bought, that I am saving until I use up my not so good wood.....why? I have no idea?

I bought wood from Heinecke also, and I can tell its better wood than what I had, but Gene still makes it look easy. I noticed that Gene wears a wrist strap and thought maybe he is using a lot of pressure,but then thought that maybe its because he has been carving for so long.

[gene messer]

Hi All .. sorry I missed this post since my name was mentioned here .. Maybe I can answer something ..

The answer to what kind of wood I use .. it is definately Heinecke wood .. that stuff is great wood ... but I love it more for the beauty and clear grain it has .. it carves well because it is good wood .. If your wood isnt cured right and green .. it can be harder to carve of course .. so I stick with their wood ..

Also as I said in the videos .. beginners should use nothing but basswood to start off with .. then once they get better in carving .. they can use other woods ..

Now as far as sharpening ... I strop every 20 minutes when carving and yes when I first got the ron wells knives .. I stroped them before I used them ..

I have never used a Lyons knife .. so I know nothing about them .. but they look like good knives ...

Also I power stop .. so I get a quicker result with the power .. by hand it might take longer to get thet fine edge on there ..

K .. the wrist band on my carving hand is worn to keep my wrist straight and to try and prevent carpel tunnel in the future .. A doctor told me it would help and it does keep my wrist straight .. And keeps strain off my wrist .. since I injured it many years ago in a plant accident .. So thats why I wear it ..

I believe in stropping even new knives to get that finer edge .. so just try it and see if it doesnt help ..

also .. stick with good wood .. some wood is just not good carving wood .. it's too green and carves badly .. besides dulling your knife more often ..

Try these suggestions and see it doesnt help you ..

Gene

[K. Ellenburg]

Thanks for the info Gene, But I still have a question as to how much pressure do you use? You make it look so easy, in fact after watching how well your knife cuts I feel like I am using a rock to carve with lol.