Carving Horse or New Jaw Horse Units???

[Old Codger]

Hi Everyone! I've been considering making my own carving horse but have recently seen posts praising the new 'Jaw Horse' units now for sale by several mfg's... My question is...should I continue my carving horse project or purchase one of the new Jaw Horse units...what do most of the cane/stick carvers use... I'm currently using a carpenter's vice and hate having to stop my work and reposition my work every couple of minutes...the carving horse is much q uicker and easier, but does take up a lot of room compared to the new jaw horse units...Help!!!
Kenn

[TexasSteve]

My plans are to make a shaving horse for my cane/stick work. I like the tradition of it and the fact you can sit and work. I am making one like this.

The Shaving Horse

[carvingbarn]

I do a lot of canes and sticks also. I am one of those fans of the Jaw Horse. It will hold a stick in almost any position I want to put it in while using my draw knife and it holds it securely. I have thought about building a carving horse for years but never got around to doing it. I have limited space and with the Jaw horse I see no need now. I have made a number of jigs that fit on the Jaw horse. One holds my carving vise. Another jig holds sticks while I carve on them. The other I am making now is a 24”x30” inch adjustable table top for relief carving. For me that is what is so great about the Jaw Horse. It will do so much and it take up no space to speak of.

[Dileon]

I have the rockwell Jawhorse, great for logs and bigger work. I talked my husband into buying one so we could share, he is a Carpenter. Now I wish I had my own Jawhorse....some day, but this is one tool worth more then the purchase. I love it and it is easy to use.

[carvingbarn]

I do not think I have a more all around useful tool in my shop. It is incredibly stable. I find I use it in some way almost every day, either in the shop or on projects around the house and yard. With the log jaws I have cut and carved logs. I made a roller stand for feeding lumber off the table Saw. I have used it to hold 4x4 post in place while filling in the holes. It will hold a door when using a plane. I have used it with a 2x4 to hold up one end of some molding I put in. I made a large T to hold up one end of some drywall and the Jaw Horse held it in l place. The list goes on. OH and I have put 4 rod holders on a 2x4 set the Jaw horse on the bank and clamped in the holders. Hands free fishing. Works well. It is a great tool.

[davidinsarasota]

TexasSteve, Do you have a pic with a cane/stick in the shaving horse? I don't really get how it holds it.

[TexasSteve]

I don't, I am still building my shaving bemch. Here is a link to a youtue video of someone using one.

Shaving Horse and Draw knife - YouTube

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Here is a picture of one I made.............

[Old Codger]

Thanks everyone...seems like almost a 50-50 split on opinions. I really like the idea that the 'jaw horse' being a knock down device for easy storage...the regular old style carving horse doesn't allow this and is quite large in comparision, but... Again, thanks for the advice...now to decide which way to go... Safe carving to all gang!
Kenn

[MelNM]

I just got one and have been doing some research on jigs for the Rockwell Sawhorse. The Shop Smith forum has a jig for carving (which is the the main reason I wanted it). The jig is simple and looks pretty sturdy, he even built a tool tray for it. I tried to copy the link but it wouldn't let me.
Mel