Anybody make wood carving knives? Froes?

J

jimbowhittler

Joined
Jan 16, 2007
Messages
17
New here and just getting a bit into wood carving on a small scale. I've used "flexcut" carving knives and really like them but would like maybe to find a good ergonomic grip with a little heavier blade with strong point for detail work.
I haven't seen any carving knives here, so i'm wondering if anyone in this August group of incredibally talented folks makes or has considered making wood carving knives (folding or fixed).
Anyone with an idea of what kind of steel would make a good carving blade?
Also, for a bit of variety for knife makers..... i've had several customers (i work at a woodworking store) ask for froes. Don't see any worthwhile froes on ebay, but i think there might be a decent market for such things. I have in mind a small size that could be useful for splitting kindling. Maybe i'm off base but i'm guessing such a thing could sell and leave a bit of room for some artistic expression.
hmmm?
 
O-1 or better A-2 would make nice blades . Handle shape has to fit YOU ,so you have to find the most comfortable shape and stick with that.
 
WOW now THATS a carver! Not that i could afford one.... but just for kicks, what would one of those beauties go for? Or to pry even deeper, one with a bit of a forefinger indent next to the blade? I ask because i bet such a knife could sell well.
And what I just don't understand. How can such a gorgeous knife be made by someone with 4 knives stuck in his head??
 
jimbowhittler said:
....And what I just don't understand. How can such a gorgeous knife be made by someone with 4 knives stuck in his head??
Click to expand...

I have wondered if perhaps those are for cognitive electro-stimulation of some sort.

Hook them up in pairs to a 9 volt, and suddenly you have knifemaking aptitude. A different combo, perhaps you're a C/W singer or bass player or something.

:D .
 
I would suggest you check out the website below. In the early part of the 20th century, Ernest Mooney Warther began carving the history of steam engines. He wasn't satisfied with the carving knives of the time, and began creating his own. Eventually he quit his regular job and began making knives during the day and he did his carving from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. everyday for almost 70 years. His children continue the knife factory and the carving legacy still. Dale Warther, Ernest grandson, is an accomplished "custom" knifemaker in his own right.

The handles and blades are very ergonomic, since they are designed by a carver, for the carver. I think you will be extremely pleased with this product.

Also, if you ever get a chance to be in Northeast Ohio, it is well worth the trip to see the museum and knife factory. The amount of carvings by Mr. Warther and the quality is incredible. He used primarily walnut, elephant ivory and mother of pearl to carve his creations. He has been acclaimed the greatest carver of all time.

Good luck and I hope that this helps.

http://www.warthers.com/
 
jimbowhittler said:
WOW now THATS a carver! Not that i could afford one.... but just for kicks, what would one of those beauties go for? Or to pry even deeper, one with a bit of a forefinger indent next to the blade? I ask because i bet such a knife could sell well.
And what I just don't understand. How can such a gorgeous knife be made by someone with 4 knives stuck in his head??
Click to expand...

Well...I'm at a loss for words, in a way, and flattered that you are impressed with it. This is the first one I made. It is actually copied from a Tony Bose pattern so I can't take responsibility for that part. I have another blade already heat treated and ready to complete but there is not much room to grind away an "indent" or finger groove.

I gave that one to my boss...kind of a suckup thing to do huh. Those knives in my head must have tweaked the brown nose nerve. :) Actually he is a good friend and fellow musician, luthier type so not so much suckup as an act of friendship.

I think a fair price would be $75 - $90, depending on the handle material.
 
fitzo said:
I have wondered if perhaps those are for cognitive electro-stimulation of some sort.

Hook them up in pairs to a 9 volt, and suddenly you have knifemaking aptitude. A different combo, perhaps you're a C/W singer or bass player or something.

:D .
Click to expand...

The secret is out. Now everyone will be doing it.
 
scottickes said:
I would suggest you check out the website below. In the early part of the 20th century, Ernest Mooney Warther began carving the history of steam engines. He wasn't satisfied with the carving knives of the time, and began creating his own. Eventually he quit his regular job and began making knives during the day and he did his carving from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. everyday for almost 70 years. His children continue the knife factory and the carving legacy still. Dale Warther, Ernest grandson, is an accomplished "custom" knifemaker in his own right.

The handles and blades are very ergonomic, since they are designed by a carver, for the carver. I think you will be extremely pleased with this product.

Also, if you ever get a chance to be in Northeast Ohio, it is well worth the trip to see the museum and knife factory. The amount of carvings by Mr. Warther and the quality is incredible. He used primarily walnut, elephant ivory and mother of pearl to carve his creations. He has been acclaimed the greatest carver of all time.

Good luck and I hope that this helps.

http://www.warthers.com/
Click to expand...

These are probably great knives and the prices are definitely good. Worth checking out.
 
well i tell you what i like about the blade.... it looks like the bevel goes right to the edge and that's what i'm told by a number of really good carvers is the best edge to have because it planes through the wood better (with no sharper bevel to rub on the uncut leavings. And i like the handle cause its simple and looks like it would fit the hand well. Only reason i suggested the forefinger indent is that it would be a comfort thing whether the knife is whittling toward or away. Come to think of it, and indent on both sides might be good eh?
Anyways,even though, i cain't afford one i sure appreciate your craftsmanship!
You got yourself one lucky boss/friend/musician/luthier (sounds like a fun person to know!)
 
oh and Scottickes.... thanks for the link. Never saw that brand before. Interesting transition from the 1932 handle style (i like the shape) to the more conventional newer shape.
Thanks!!
 
jimbowhittler said:
well i tell you what i like about the blade.... it looks like the bevel goes right to the edge and that's what i'm told by a number of really good carvers is the best edge to have because it planes through the wood better (with no sharper bevel to rub on the uncut leavings. And i like the handle cause its simple and looks like it would fit the hand well. Only reason i suggested the forefinger indent is that it would be a comfort thing whether the knife is whittling toward or away. Come to think of it, and indent on both sides might be good eh?
Anyways,even though, i cain't afford one i sure appreciate your craftsmanship!
You got yourself one lucky boss/friend/musician/luthier (sounds like a fun person to know!)
Click to expand...

The bevel does go all the way from edge to spine. The edge thickness was .012", which seems pretty thin but it does slice thru wood pretty well. Edited this addition....Almost forgot to mention it is hollow ground on a 10" wheel, which seems to help with the wood chips "flowing" off of the blade. That is just a personal observation from using this one a bit. Since it is my first one I don't really know what the heck I am talking about. I would have to yield to the more experienced carving person whether or not this was really a good knife for carving.

The indents you are talking about are on the sides then? For some reason I was thinking on the bottom so that explanation of yours was helpful. A bit of a dip on both sides would be a good thing. I have done a bit of carving myself and I can see where that would be helpful.

Thanks for the encouragement. It is much appreciated.
 
aw con trair... I appreciate seeing good work. But back to the indents. I carve crochet hooks for ladies who have sore hands and have found that a little indent for the thumb and/or forefinger is a good thing... plus when i'm carving hook handles, i've wished for a knife handle with an indent, at least on the spine side, so when i'm pushing thumb against thumb, i'm not squarshing one thumb against the knife spine or the handle.. so i guess as far as indents go... one along the spine, at least to me, would be most valuable.
If you make one, would you please post a picture?

Thanks!!!
 
jimbowhittler said:
... i've wished for a knife handle with an indent, at least on the spine side, so when i'm pushing thumb against thumb, i'm not squarshing one thumb against the knife spine or the handle..
Click to expand...

Both left and right thumbs are on the handle or do you have two thumbs on one hand?:D

I think I understand what you are saying. If you are right handed, you use your left thumb to help guide and add pressure. You end up with overlapping thumbs and the one on the bottom takes a beating.

You think, if there was a little bit of a dip on the top front of the handle, that would make things easier on the bottom thumb? Possibly. At least the bottom thumb would be sitting in kind of a saddle but I think he would still get squashed.

Since you carve, here's an idea for you. Carve yourself what you believe would be the perfect handle for a carving knife. That could be sent to someone who could make a knife for you that would be designed around your carved example, or better yet, you could then make the knife yourself.
 
Here's a fro.

froknifehead.jpg
 
You're right about the overlapping thumbs. Just that a saddle for the knife holding thumb might spread the force over a larger area and aid the comfort a bit.
Good idea too about whittling the handle...and i might just do that if i could find a maker to attach a blade. Or i'd prefer making my own if i had the tools.
Thanks for the thoughts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top