crooked knife

H

Hoodoo

Joined
Aug 18, 1999
Messages
2,355
Awhile back there was an interesting thread about crooked knives. I found another source and just bought one today and it looks to be a good one. It was made by Frost of Sweden. I picked it up at a local woodworking shop. They had 3 models. This one is sharpened on both sides of the blade (I wonder if this is legal in Michigan?
smile.gif
) The cost of this knife was $15.95 + tax.
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/crookedknife1.htm
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Hoodoo

The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stone—the light-press’d blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.

Walt Whitman


[This message has been edited by Hoodoo (edited 03-18-2000).]
 
I'm sorry I missed the original thread on crooked knives. I did a search but couldn't find it, can anyone point me to it please. I first came across a crooked knife in the Nov/Dec 1985 issue of WoodenBoat magazine. The article concerned the making of the North Woods canoe paddle but the knife was quite different. It was the handle that was bent rather than the blade. The crook in the handle gives a purchase for the thumb to help in controlling the knife which is drawn towards you. I have scanned a picture from the magazine but it is not the best quality as the magazine was rather old and I was only learning to use the scanner. I have nowhere to post it but would be happy to email it to anybody who is interested.

Take care,

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Clay

Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow....in Australia it's tomorrow already.
 
There seem to be a couple of different crooked knives, the one with the crooked handle and another with a crooked blade. I have one with a J-shaped blade, similar to those the North American Indians used to make from small files (and barrel straps, etc.), by bending up the tip. Handy for hollowing out plates, spoons, etc. I think both are intended to be used by pulling toward yourself (seem to have more control that way). The one I have is sharpened on both sides, but I can't see how it would be classified as a double-edge weapon -- assault with intent to whittle? Then again, the law is often an ass...
 
There are quite a few different types of crooked or bent knives. I guess there good for a lot of different things but I've always seen them advertised as carving knives. Some only have the tip bent up, others are curved the full length of the blade like in the pic posted.I've never seen one with that much curve to it before. It would be good for deep releif carving.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
I ahve used the hook nosed blade from Opinel, it is a great knife for using in a garden etc.

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Lee

LIfe is too important to be taken seriously. Oscar Wilde
 
I believe I started one of the threads after I read this interesting book "The Survival of the Bark Canoe" by John McPhee

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0374516936/qid=953856996/sr=1-1/102-0746797-0992059

It's about a guy who makes canoes with just a crooked knife. Unfortunately there is not description or picture in the book which would specify how this knife looks. But he states that it's different from and superior (for his purposes) to a draw knife.

[This message has been edited by Ralf (edited 03-23-2000).]
 
Hi people:

I've been busy with work for a while so it's great to come back and see topics like this one running.
I'd mentioned the crooked knife in threads on tools - the main books I'd got information from were the Calvin Rustrum books quoted by Hoodoo in the thread on axes/knives now running. Unfortunately there's not too much detail on exactly how crooked knives are used.
A supplier of reasonably priced (quality?) crooked knives is Lee Valley http://www.leevalley.com/
Do a search on Haida carving to find the 8 designs. I was surprised to find a lot of crooked knives for sale on ebay - but anything that looked worthwhile was going for a lot of money.
I used to have a supply of the original Hudson Bay Company crooked knife blanks (no longer available)which I picked up when I worked for the company. These unfortunately I gave away to native students who were getting into carving - so I don't have any to photograph. They were single edged with a twist in the end of the blade. The reason for the twist rather than the simple bend on current models is that the knife is pulled toward the body with the edge at an angle to the wood, not perpendicular. This helps cutting. With current designs you'd have to angle the handle you attach to get the same effect. The double edged designs now found are a good idea since it means the knife can be used with either hand - except that an angled handle wouldn't work out.
After getting out into the bush lately I'm more and more coming back to the old ideas that an axe, thin bladed short sheath knife, and crooked knife are the way to go - if you want to make stuff. The advantage of the axe is in being able to use with a maul to split wood, the thin short sheath knife for whittling and the crooked knife for curved cuts. I still have to pick up a crooked knife, and I'll go with the Lee Valley and let everyone know how it works.
I guess the next consideration is finding what woods available locally are good for various uses.

Jimbo


 
Thanks for the interesting post Jimbo. Those leevalley blades are really nice. I think I will order a couple. Too bad about those Hudson Bay originals. Those would be sweet to own.

I'm getting into knifemaking and I think I will try my hand at making a crooked knife or two. I haven't decided what steel to use. But I have plenty of time. My knife grinder won't arrive for proababy another month. In the meantime, I'm shopping for some steel.

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Hoodoo

The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stone—the light-press’d blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.

Walt Whitman
 
Hi Hoodoo:

Actually the HBC crooked knife blanks that I got back in the 70's weren't that great in that the temper was soft. I'm not sure whether you were supposed to bend to liking and retemper or whether they were just poorly made. I guess the design was the original though. They were interesting in that the the blade wasn't just bent up at the end but twisted also - blade edge to back. If you want I can make a model out of foil and put up a photo. This is far more effective than the simple bend to the blade as it means that the blade can be pulled toward you at a 30' angle to the grain for a better cut.
I ordered one of the Lee Valley Haida carving tools this afternoon (#11). I should have it in ten days and will post what I think of the workmanship. From what I can see from their pictures it's more of a carving tool than the original crooked knife which was built heavier for fast roughing out of canoe paddles and such. If you are getting into making knives, you might find quite a demand for "original" crooked knife designs.

Jimbo
 
It would be nice to see a model of the Hudson Bay design. I wonder if some library somewhere would have a catalog. I notice when you search on crooked knife on the internet you come up with hits that look like museum descriptions. I haven't checked any of these out yet but I think I will now.

As for making knives, I doubt that I will do much selling. My current job keeps me so busy I don't really have much time to go into production (although I wouldn't mind it). Unless I lose my job, this will probably just be a hobby and a nifty way to make Christmas presents.
smile.gif


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Hoodoo

The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stone—the light-press’d blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.

Walt Whitman
 
Hi Hoodoo:

I'll put up a picture of a model made out of aluminum foil tomorrow.
Did you notice that you can get Kestrel crooked knife blanks?http://www.rockisland.com/~kestrel/tool7.html
Those should get you started in a hurry!

Jimbo
 
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