[Capt. Bandaid]

CatsPa brings up an interesting point. I have been to China several times. I used to try to find American-style food over there but it was awful! I realized they had no idea how it was supposed to taste. I switched to Chinese food and it was delicious. Now, how many Chinese grew up with a pocket knife in their pocket? Now, I am not making desparaging remarks about Chinese carvers. Folks, they are absolutely INCREDIBLE carvers! Stone, bone, whatever, they are the best carvers in the world by my humble estimation. But they just don't do pocket knives. Or electrical equipment. Or concrete. Yet.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

You don't even need good blades on those straight razors, you grind off over half anyway...get the old chipped ones, you have reason to work them down on the price then

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

I have a number of Case knives (American Made) with the same characteristics. It's a relatively simple fix, buy a guy shouldn't have to, with what they charge for a knife. It's almost impossible to find a good knife anymore unless you've got a pile of them to pick from. Case isn't telling how many knives they get back as returns, but it's a bunch, their warranty shop is, and has been, backlogged for quite a long time. To their credit, they make everything right, but it is a pain having to run the drill. As a collector, it's a minor thing because I'm really not going to be using the knife anyway so a lot of the time I just leave it be. But, to a user, he's either got to live with the problems, fix them himself, or go through the "return under warranty" drill.

[Capt. Bandaid]

I have a question for those who have used straight razors for carving blades: do you find the blades brittle? I have never used one but some dealers I spoke with have said razor knives are best left to experienced carvers because they will chip and even break off. Any comments from Ric?

[millerewpddgm3@yahoo.com]

Thought I would like to put in my two cents worth, tried the sugestion of several of you to buy a kershaw double cross from Rick at Little Shavers Woodcarving Supply. I did the whole bit, had Rick sharpen the knife and alter it for carving, I don't understand what he did to one of the tips of the larger blade but iI am well pleased, to say the least. I have never had a pocket knife that I have liked as well and I have had a lot of them.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

From what I have seen, I don't think you could beat the quality of anything that comes from Rick.

Dave

[rick-in-seattle]

"Capt. Bandaid,
I have a question for those who have used straight razors for carving blades: do you find the blades brittle? I have never used one but some dealers I spoke with have said razor knives are best left to experienced carvers because they will chip and even break off. Any comments from Ric? "

Captain,
No, I haven't found razor knives to be brittle; although you might expect that from how brittle the razor's edge is. I'm sure you know the old saying forge thick, grind thin? It applies somewhat to straight razors, all the thin parts of the razor must be removed as they are useless in woodcarving.

I would agree that any thin bladed knives are best left to experienced carvers. More importantly, knives should be made by experienced knifemakers.
As far as breakage, I've had one knife returned which had broken at the tang. I believe I may have created a stress riser by leaving a small nick from the belt sander on the tang.
I have made some changes to my process since then, I smooth and polish that area; and test each knife with some heavy chip removal.

I have encountered razors with nearly invisable cracks; but these are easily found while cutting out the blade. The cracked blades I have found have been from early American tool companies.

I know your opinion on old VS new steel; and I would never argue the point with a metallurgist. What I do know is I prefer knives made from vintage German and Sheffield straight razors for most of my carving.

Good to hear from you Capt.

[dlcarver]

In the past I have had great success making whittling knives from small files. I haven't made any for years, but they still make files. The tang that goes into the handle must be annealed in order to be able to drill and pin it in place. The file can be made smooth on the belt sander, being careful not to over heat... once smooth, then grind to sharp edge.
I have had better luck with Barlow knives, and I have a pile of them. (I don't like to sharpen) They were always less than half the cost of case. I haven't bought one for years though.