[Larry A.]

Hi all.
I'm pretty much a novice carver and am presently using a Flexcut Carvin' Jack, which I like a lot, and one Swiss made veiner. That's it. What can say? Things are tight these days! My question, since I want to pick up more tools, is should I absolutely go for forged rather than stamped steel? A guy in my club said Flexcut tools were stamped and recommended buying forged, Swiss made tools instead. Thing is, though, I like my flexcut carvin' jack.
Anyway I'd like to buy American if I can. Not a chauvinist, just an American worker who'd like to help keep a co-citizen employed - though if someone gave me a set of Two Cherry gouges I'd happily keep 'em. Little Shavers has a Ramelson set of palm tools that looks pretty nice, and most of what I do at present is small in the round stuff that you can hold in your hand. What do folks think of the Ramelson palm tools? And should I really avoid Flexcut stamped tools? Any other good, U.S. made forged tools I should consider?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[kitaye]

I'm not a fan of the flexcut tools I own. I do like the Ramelson small hand tools I own but find I tend the use the spoon gouge more than anything else. There is a place called Pinewood Forge that may have what you are interested in.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

If you want forged and American, Ramelson is the way to go. They are excellent tools. Some people like Flexcuts and other people can't stand them. There doesn't seem to be anybody in the middle. The things that bother most people about them are; the flex of the tool, the shape of the handle, and they are only hard tempered about 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch back after that the temper is softer to allow the tool to flex. The things that people like are; the shape of the handle, the ability to flex, and they are reasonably sharp from the factory.

[Jim-Iowa]

I have had a set of Ramelson (WCS selection)tools for a long time and like them a lot.
I wanted a set of Subminiatures to go with what I have now w/o duplicating what I have.
Yesterday I called the Wood Craft Shop and asked for a comparison of the Ramelson and Dockyard tools(they sell both). What I was told was "they were both very fine tools. The Ramelsons need to be sharpened before use, the Dockyards were sharp and only needed a light stropping before use.
If you don't mind sharpening(something we all must learn) I think you will be happy with the Ramelsons. Thats what I will order cause I want a matched set.

Just because I choose to deal with WCS is not meant to take anything away from Rick at Little Shavers. In fact I have yet to meet anyone selling supplies in the woodcarving circles to be anything but first rate people, in the game to help others. Don't hesitate to call them and ask questions about their tools and reccomendations if your not sure, they will treat you right!

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Larry, what about the Denny tools? I have a couple of his knives, fair price, good tool, made in USA !! As for avoiding Flexcut, I think they are a fine tools. I have the SK set with all three handles, they come sharp, they stay sharp, priced right and again made in the USA ! If you are in a club maybe you could borrow a tool or two from a fellow member and try them out.

Dave

[Jim-Iowa]

Originally Posted by Gulf Coast Handyman

Larry, what about the Denny tools? I have a couple of his knives, fair price, good tool, made in USA !! As for avoiding Flexcut, I think they are a fine tools. I have the SK set with all three handles, they come sharp, they stay sharp, priced right and again made in the USA ! If you are in a club maybe you could borrow a tool or two from a fellow member and try them out.

Dave

Dave your right! Denny is right here in the Des Moines area. I'm not sure of his address, being Des Moines or one if the various suburbs. First class tools.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Jim, after trying his knives and used a buddies Denny gouge, I am thinking about getting a couple of his palm tools. Guess I could Ebay the Flexcut SK set if I like the Dennys better

Dave

[Larry A.]

Thanks. As always, the people on the message boards are eager to help and full of experience and information. The Denny's look really nice, but a set of them would be costly, so I'm thinking of the Ramelson gouge set and maybe a good Denny knife. The price is right on the Ramelsons and I like the oak handles on the Dennys. As soon as I move my carving to its permanent spot where I'm won't be getting wood chips all over the house, I'll set it up with some new tools.

Thanks again.
Larry

[Canopener]

I own all of the US products mentioned and would like to add Welcome to Drake Knives.com as a really great but somewhat limited product. They make an actual v-tool which Denny does not. Denny does make a very useful v-gouge.
jim

[Eddy Smiles]

Larry... If you go back on this forum and do a search you'll discover enough discussion of Flexcut vs other brands to keep you in reading material far longer than you have years left on this earth. We've been around this subject many, many times..... Plain Ol Ed summed it up..."Some people like Flexcuts and other people can't stand them" It's all a matter of preference and personal choice. And, I think it's also a matter of the size and type of carvings and the type of wood that you carve on. Everything comes into play, every variable that we run across in carving. Personally, I have nothing but Flexcut, but had circumstances been different I just as likely could have ended up with Ramelson, Denny, or Pfiel. Like a certain part of our anatomy, all of us have an opinion. If I was you I'd stick to facts and to what I know and like, be that Flexcut or someother brand or a mixture thereof! Remember, you can't have too many tools!