Which Pocket Knife ?

[JohnG10]

I need to buy a pocket knife for whittling projects like the ones on Gene's website during Scout events.

I saw an older post where someone thought the larger blade on the Oar Carver worked better than the small blade for carving the eyes, nose, ears, etc. Does anyone else think so ? Does anyone think the detail blade is a lot better ?

Also does anyone know of any pocket knives that are better than the Oar Carver ? Or that cause your hand to cramp less during long whittling sessions ?

Thanks.

[Bartster]

i have the oar carver with the 2 big blades and like it alot it is also kinda hefty so it will not tire the hand easily i can do any thing i want with the big blades because of the sharp point,


if you are wanting a travel knife for scouting warren tools has a small kit with a leather sheath for carry on the belt.


hope this helps

bart

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I have the Flexcut pocket knife with the other tools built in. The Oar is on my wish list, I like the one with the large and small blade.

Dave

[pallin]

Some years ago when I was a Scoutmaster, I whittled several dozen Scout neckerchief slides. Most are shown in my gallery. I reshaped the blades on my pocketknife to suit my uses. The most useful was very similar to the Oar Carver. You might consider buying a functional pocketknife and reshaping the smallest blade to a narrow point. The Oar Carver is pretty pricey for what it offers.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Not all pocket knife blades will hold an edge, or cut like you want them to.

Dave

[Tom-H]

I use the single blade Oar Carver. It now has a reshaped tip due to me breaking the tip off. Rick at Little Shavers fixed it for me. I also just spend seven straight hours sittin and whittlin with it at a craft sale. I carved the mini 3 minute owl, and 5 minute wizards. As fast as I carved them the kids got them. The Oar carver worked like a charm. I was so busy that I never stropped once. The edge was just as keen after 7 hours as when I started. I did take a one hour break and used a larger/fatter handled knife. I wanted to use the Oar carver that much to get used to the new tip. I should never doubt Rick at Little Shavers. I told him I like to carve small, and believe it when I say the "new" blade works perfect. I suspect any pocket knife with a lockback blade could work just as good, if the steel is just as good, and the blade is reground to suit your carving style. By the way the Oar carver's blade is not stainless steel.

Tom H

[santacarver]

The Oar Carver is the best! I have the one with both the large and small blade and it's great. I use it every day and highly recommend it. When I teach my Santa Carving seminars, my students all want it when they get a chance to see and use it! Worth every bit of the cost!

[JohnG10]

How useful is the small blade ? Can you do the eyes, nose & mouth with the big blade almost as easily ?

Also, how does the comfort of the 2 bladed handle compare to the differently shaped single bladed handle ?

Thanks.

[Tom-H]

John, Since I have never carved with the two bladed Oar pocket knife I can't comment on it. As to the blades sizes in relation to carving eyes and noses; I am not sure that makes much difference. I have some level of success carving noses and eyes the size of a grain of rice, and have used all sizes of blades. I really think it's what you get used to. And I am used to the Oar Carver. I know the Oar Carver costs about $65, but look at it this way; you'll have it for ever, and too may become your most used knife.

Tom H

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I have the large blade and small bladed Oar Carver, great knife, the small blade is terrific for fine detail, eyes etc.....I also have the flexcut with all the different tools, I don't use it much....kind of awkward I find.