[Spookhouse]

I use x-acto all the time it's fast and simple and you rarely find a knife as sharp and clean cutting as an x-acto blade.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

if you used a good straight razor modified to a carving knife....you would recant that statement! lol

[Kenny_S]

If you know How to sharpen and strop a knife, X-actos don't have anything over a good knife.
Personally, I do not like the then blades on x-actos. However, That is what I started out with but quickly found that a good sharp/stropped pocket knife was better.
But then, that is JMHO!

[Claude]

Doel:
Your Saint carvings are very good! Welcome to the forum.

Claude

[Spookhouse]

Originally Posted by Hi_Ho_Sliver

if you used a good straight razor modified to a carving knife....you would recant that statement! lol

I've never thought of that. Interesting

[Thomp]

I have several Professional exacto blades mounted in wooden handles, for miniature detailing work...

i prefer the exacto blades that are thick almost 2x times thicker than the hobby blades so they are not flemsy, check your art supply store, they have one i love that's a hook blade 2 for $2.00 at hobby lobby where i get mine,
but warren blades have hooked blades are about the same but $4.00 each..

i think they are mat blades for cutting picture frame matting.. never the less the blade can be mounted into 3 - 1/16th holes drilled side by side and epoxied ... i use 3/4" round dowel then modify it flat on the sides and then a belt sander to shape the dowel into a handle. mainly because my old hands cramp holding them exacto pencil handles they come with...
the blade can be honed with a power hone,
and a power hone can be made from something as simple as an old record player motor... the slower turning the better.. just don't crowd it hard..
3 speed fan motors and the like can be used as well..

but as mentioned at the first of this thread, exacto blades are not made of hardened steel so if you use them get ready to learn to sharpen and hone often.. which wears the blades fast//
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as Hi_Ho mentioned a straight razorknife will spoil you...
its carbon steel hardened so making one is tedious and it wears your grinder wheels a lot, but once the razor chip knife is sharp, there is so little maintenance its a dream to carve with
I hate to stop and hone, or worst to have and sharpen then hone.. but its a necessary evil..... ESPECIALY with cheap tools and knives.....
thomas