Whittling Knife recommendations please

[Ogri]

I’ve decided I want to have a go at whittling while stuck at home. Can anyone recommend what would be a good knife for me to purchase ?

 

[evilgreg]

There are lots of solid options. I carved a tiny box from a block today to kill time, and today I used two Robin Dalman knives to do everything but hollowing out the box bottom, which I did mostly with a palm chisel made by Pfeil. Good dedicated carving knives are available from a pile of places. I like the Helvie knives, and the basic Moras are inexpensive and work as well--IIRC, the 120 and 122 are the ones I use.

I usually carve with cheap Cold Steel Tuff Lite knives, both the regular and the mini.

In traditional whittlers I prefer the seahorse pattern personally.

EDIT: Here's today's pointless project and my current beverage:

The lid fits nicely. The box has no purpose, I just wanted to do something different than my usual ball in a cage or chain projects so I took a stab at making a box from a small cube of basswood and this was the result.

 

[Barman1]

Folder or fixed?
Flexcut makes a couple of quality folders.

 

[JDRanger]

Old Timer 240T Folder has six capable cutting and carving blades.

It’s a relatively inexpensive knife but the quality is really not too bad. Based on reviews, some of the knives are shipped with less than super sharp blades. Ours (2) were acceptably sharp but if you use them a lot they will need sharpening and some stropping.

Flexcut makes excellent specialized wood carving knives.

You also can’t miss with a handful of Opinals.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Boker makes a great stockman, so does Schrade and Buck.

 

[Wharn]

Check out this thread:

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...et-congress-and-pocket-carver-thread.1696497/

 

[bflying]

The little bit of whit-lin I've done has mostly been with a Barlow and Mini TuffLite. But recently picked up one of these Old Timers to try out. Haven't really used it yet. Not quite as sharp as I would have liked, but may be useable. Very inexpensive, so no biggie if it doesn't perform as hoped.

 

[eveled]

Folder or fixed?
Flexcut makes a couple of quality folders.

Don’t know why you said it this way? Flex cut makes quality fixed blades too. Lots of them. Bladehq carries them.

 

[Old Biker]

If you want a folder for carrying, get a Boker carvers congress. It was designed by a champion whittler for whittling. If you want a fixed blade, it's hard to beat a Pinewood forge Sloyd knife. If you think you might like to do some spoon carving, then you might want to consider one of their hook knives, and/or one of their sweep knives. And Pinewood forge blades come very sharp.

O.B.

 

[bikerector]

For an inexpensive starter, the beavercraft stuff is decent. I find the sloyd designs to be my most used.

The old timer carver folder is okay, but it's not that sharp new and pushing the gouges with a slipjoint system is a bit interesting. I like it for portability though so it makes it into the pack occasionally for around the fire messing around or bushcraft stuff where I think I want more than just a knife. I recently picked up some scott-eye auger so I think the combo could be fun for traps and fancy shelter building, though I need to expand my knowledge a bit to truly account for what they can do. I originally got the augers for starting a hole for cups and and things as getting that initial depth set makes things a lot easier for me when making a hollowed-out feature.

I never got along well with some of the standard slipjoints when I first started. I always developed hot spots, and I generally prefer fixed blades anyway, given the choice. But, the ability to have multiple blades in a single package is really nice if you don't want to lug a bunch of stuff out to the woods, porch, or backyard for some relaxing carve time.

 

[Barman1]

Don’t know why you said it this way? Flex cut makes quality fixed blades too. Lots of them. Bladehq carries them.

My train of thought was interrupted while on my own search to conquer boredom with some carving.
Lots of whittling and carving videos out there.

 

[JJHollowman]

The little bit of whit-lin I've done has mostly been with a Barlow and Mini TuffLite. But recently picked up one of these Old Timers to try out. Haven't really used it yet. Not quite as sharp as I would have liked, but may be useable. Very inexpensive, so no biggie if it doesn't perform as hoped.

I've had one of these awhile, you'll find it sharpens up easy with circular diamond files and regular bench stones.

 

[jfk1110]

Flexcut!View attachment 1316011 View attachment 1316011

 

[JJHollowman]

Flexcut!View attachment 1316011 View attachment 1316011 View attachment 1316012

is that more stuff on the backside or does it lock?

 

[Ogri]

Thanks very much everyone for the great advice

 

[skyhorse]

 

[Angus McGunnigle]

The flexCut folder is a good knife and quite handy.

Mora has some very good carving knives also. The 106, 120 and 122 are nice.
Svord makes a small whittling knife that is great also.

 

[jfk1110]

is that more stuff on the backside or does it lock?

It's a lockback. Each blade locks. Also comes with a strop n compound! Each blade has its own section on the strop block, plus a leather section!

 

[caine]

Until I get a real whittle I have this WIP going on

 

[dirc]

check out the mora 122 - purpose made for woodcarving, also low cost