Knife Handles

[michael_sxchaap]

Hello there all! I have been contemplating getting into Power Carving for doing knife handle work. Been reading a lot here, but wanted to get one thing straight... for detail work, the kind you would want on a knife handle, I want to stay away from reciprical power carving and focus more on the rotary type power carving. Would this be agreed upon pretty much?

Michael

[michael_sxchaap]

Trying to figure out the micros too. What's the difference between them?

[bigEd_H]

Hi Michael, welcome to the forum. I'm no power caving expert, but I would agree that a rotary power tool would be better for carving knife handles. I use a Dremel 359 with a flex shaft for most of my rotary work. I also use a Dremel Stylus on occasion. The micro motors are best for fine detail work.

For a more authoritative reply, you might do better to wait for one of the experts.

[michael_sxchaap]

The more I read the more I get confused. I thought I had to make a decision between the two chains of thought.... I just saw someone on YouTube go from a rotary style to a reciportaking style just by changing the hand pieces. Is this how Foredom is as well? I think he was using Weechill I believe....

Michael

[michael_sxchaap]

I love to do things like Ball and Cage, Chains... puzzle type carvings as well.

Michael

[Ron T]

Hi Michael,

All I can tell you is to go slow and read through the posts carefully. There are subtle differences between the different power carving machines and while they will all work to a degree, they won't all work well for all the different types and styles of carving. There is a big difference between carving chains and carving knife handles. If you can be specific when you ask about carving, you will get more specific answers. I ended up with a lot of different kinds of equipment that I got before I became a member here. Also, as my carving requirements changed, my equipment needs changed. I hope this helps.

[Inadv]

Michael,

Ron T gives you excellent advice regarding tool acquisitions! I just finished making 4 knife handles myself, and after basic shaping on a belt sander I finished the contours and reliefs with a flex shaft rotary tool (actually a small drum sander). It worked very well I could not imagine trying to do that with a reciprocating device. There may be someone to disagree, but I sure as heck wouldn't try it! Nor would I attempt to carve chains or balls in cages with a reciprocating tool.

All of that said if you purchase a rotary tool such as a Foredom or Weecheer, you can also purchase a hand-piece that will convert the rotary tool into a reciprocating tool. They do have their place and I will likely purchase one myself in the not too distant future.

L.P.

[michael_sxchaap]

Originally Posted by Inadv

Michael,

All of that said if you purchase a rotary tool such as a Foredom or Weecheer, you can also purchase a hand-piece that will convert the rotary tool into a reciprocating tool. They do have their place and I will likely purchase one myself in the not too distant future.

L.P.

Thank you. I saw that in the youtube and was like... what? Did he do what I think he just did? Part of my frustration is that I do have a dremmel. I'm trying to figure out if I need to get another rotary tool. They do look very similar and operate the same right. That being said I have used the Dremmel to finish the contours of handles. The ideas that I have in carving something in the handles are more towards what one would engrave in steel of the knife. So I've been looking at different web pages and reading different people and trying to figure out whether or not this is going to do what I want it to do. And all the same time you have many different models of a make including models of 'micro' and it all is pretty confusing to sort out.

Thank you again for trying to help me sort it out.

Michael

[susieq]

Hi Michael,
welcome to the forum. The others are right...there is a lot to think about. Rotary tools are great and there is a reciprocating attachment for most of the flexshaft tools such as Dremels and Foredoms....and Weecheers. The large reciprocating handpieces are interchangeable on most of the larger flexshaft tools. So, picking one of the big rotary tools doesn't need to depend on whether or not you can find a reciprocating handpiece to fit it later, when you are ready.

Very fine detailing is best done with a micro motor. The rpms on most micro motors are higher than on the flexshaft tools and because the motor is in the handpiece itself and there is no shaft to deal with, you have almost as much control as you would with a paint brush.... micro motors are fine, precision tools though and not for heavy carving. If you abuse them, the little motor will burn up and it's an expensive repair or buying a new one...

There has been a lot of info posted on all of this in this section. Take some time and read through some of it. If you have more questions, ask away. Best wishes.

[Ron T]

Michael, since you already have a Dremel, check with treelineusa.com or another supplier for the reciprocating hand piece that will fit your model.