Flexcut Mini Pelican Knife

[Rezbar]

I like carving faces and smll figures. So, out of an impromptu wish, I bought (in Italy where I live) a Flexcut Mini Pelican Knife, paying it € 18 (over 24 US $). I thought it would have helped me in cutting/carving details, but either I don't know how to use it or it has been made for a different use. Is anyone of the experienced carvers who could clear it up to me about its use? Thank you in advance for your answer.
Dino a.k.a. Rezbar

[TreeWizard]

I've never found them to be of much use. I'll take a good 1" detail knife anytime.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Like Paul, I bought one when I first started carving, used it once or twice. I love my Drake 1" detail knife.

Dave

[Sam]

I have one and use it quite often for doing the very things you want to do - carving small figures and faces. I find it is a good knife for doing various styles of eyes. I broke the tip on mine so I had to fix the blade and it is a little bit shorter blade now, but works very nice. Just make sure it is sharp. I also have the large pelican and I find it stays in the tool box - seems too cumbersome. The mini pelican is also very good for concave cuts - like in doing a neck. On small figures, I mostly use the tip of the knife for the detail. I have roughed out small figures with it and use the whole blade in a slicing style - works very good. Keep trying and you will find how to best use it for your purposes.

[Eddy-Smiles]

My experience mirrors Dave and Treewizard! When I first started serious carving it was recommended that I get one of everything Flexcut produced. I still haven't figured out what to do with it! Someday I'd like to attend a seminar hosted by Flexcut so they can show me what in the devil it's for!

[Rezbar]

Thank you Sam for your tips about using the Flexcut Mini Pelican knife. But I would also try this recommended Drake 1" Detail Knife, but I am sure it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to find it in Italy. For instance, there are only two stores in the whole country where Flexcut products are sold. We must keep in mind that I live "on the other bank of the pond".

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Rezbar, I would send Gil Drake an Email and ask if he will ship to Italy and the cost. www.drakeknives.com

Dave

[Sam]

Rezbar, Take a look at the top knife in this link: Pinewood Forge Catalog I use this knife for the tiniest detail. It comes very sharp and is very strong. They ship Internationally. Check the links at the bottom of the page for good tips on sharpening, etc.

[Sam]

Rezbar,
I carved this guy today to show the cuts you can make with the Pinewood Forge detail knife. The entire guy was carved using just this knife. The wood is basswood, 3/4" x 3/4" x 3". If I get some time, I will do one with just the mini pelican too.

[Claude]

Some interesting comments... I, too, bought one of the mini-pelican knives when I first started, thinking it would be a good detail knife. Tried it a few times and didn't like it. Next, tried the Bütz detail knife, and use it to this day.
After reading Sam's comments, maybe I need to just reshape the blade on the mini-pelican a bit to make it more useful to me...

Claude