Wood carving knives?

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

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I've got some Pakistan brand carving knives, and while I can use them, they feel pretty bad in the hand, I get real sore after about fifteen minutes. I also have a set made by United Cutlery under the Tomahawk brand, but those are bad too. The carving magazine I subscribe to only has electric tools (I got some for Christmas), but I want something to have in my pocket. I also like to whittle outside, and would like to have something ergonomic yet functional. The steel doesn't have to be great, but should I look for a particular steel? I've seen a big, almost multitool type whittler, advertised on some carving websites, but it costs about 150 bucks. The only other whittlers I've seen are the ones made by Tomahawk and Pakistan. Anybody have any suggestions? Just want a simple whittler with a good handle.
 
For whittling I have read where folks like a medium size stockman or congress for the multiple blade choice and in carbon steel. Though I have also seen several who like plain old SAK's too. They seem to prefer shorter blades for good control, sharpened thin. Guess it doesn't really matter what you choose as long as your comfortable with it.
 
Silenthunter,A.G.Russell For Men,found in the A.G. Russell.They have a canvas tool roll,w/about 10 small carving knives,from Japan,carbon steel I believe.I think around $100. They also have some handmade carving knives,but they are even more $.
 
I know a spoon carver who uses an small carbon steel sodbuster. However, he has ground the blade down to the shape he wants. My father did a lot of carving with an old Buck whittler pattern (~1970s).
 
The case yellow stockman is my favoite folding whittler, but I find that choice comes down to whatever fits your hand best. Believe it or not, one of the best all around whittlers that I've found is a Chicago Cutlery small paring knife. The natural wood handles can be rounded off a bit if you want, and the blade can be customized to suit your work. I use one that I reprofiled to a sheepsfoot blade about 1.5" long, along with an unmodified one. Both sharpen up surprisingly well.
 
If I'm going to be doing any whittling, I make sure I have one of my large stockmen with 1095 carbon steel or CV blades. Wood carving knives generally have a short blade and large handle that fills the hand, so that you have a lot of blade control as well as leverage. A large stockman with the spey or sheepfoot blade deployed gives you a similar set up.

Ironically, in my experience "whittler" pattern knives are too small for serious whittling.

I would recommend any of the following:

Moore Maker large stockman
Case large stockman with chrome vanadium blades
Any Olbertz made stockman (Bulldog, Fight'n Rooster, Eye Brand, Indian Head)
Boker large stockman

Good Luck!
 
I think that "whittler" as a pattern designation for three blade folders with one large blade opposite two small blades is a fairly recent usage by modern collectors. The old books and catalogs usually just call them three blade knives or three blade pen knives. I have a reprint of an old Cattaraugus catalog that shows such knives with names of trades (carpenter, plumber, electrician). My guess is that many were marked "carpenter" and so people assumed that the intended used was whittling. As longbeachguy points out, the small blades are generally pretty thin.
 
How about a large Stockman from one of the cheaper makers that use Carbon Steel (Boker?) and then just regrind the blades to meet your needs?
 
SHS,

I've carved alot using a Warren Tool, it is basically a handle that takes a multitude of blades and chisels. Jennings Decoy Co. 1-800-331-5613 is one of the few places I've found that carry a good supply Warren items. I called and they are redoing the website so call for a catalog if your interested.

I started carving using a Buck 704...but after time decided that I needed a better tool. If your set on using a knife go for it, if not check out the Warren tool. They do have various carving knifes in the catalog. Preston

Added...check this out, found one of the above posts.
http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/...olshop&Product_Code=MS-DCK1&Category_Code=TXO
 
I prefer a wharncliffe type blade or a modified wharncliff. If you can get a Kershaw Double Cross (with one Wharncliffe and one spy blade) or a Mini Task or the new Centofante 4. I have an old Spyderco Centofante C25 with a modified wharncliffe and it is really very good for whittling.
By the the way: is it "wharncliff" or wharncliffe" ??:mad:
 
I use a Schrade Old Timer large stockman for whittling. I find it comfy; doesn't hurt my hand over extended periods. When my hand does get tired, it's time to take a break anyway and smoke a pipe or drink a beer. :)

The carbon steel blades hold a great edge, the body of the knife is long enough to fil my hand, and the three blades take care of everything.

Also check out the seahorse whittler pattern, by Case. You may like it, although my guess is that you'll have to sharpen it pretty frequently (stainless steel).

Peace.
Alex.
 
I whittle and carve a lot in my spare time. For just sitting on the back porch whittling I like my Spyderco Calypso Jr. in ZDP189. Holds a great edge. I've also got a couple of hand made Wharcliff blade folders I made for myself that work well.

For serious carving get you a set of these from A.G. Russell. I got these a couple of Christmases ago and they are a great buy. You won't regret getting these. Top knotch and even at twice the price they'd be a deal.
http://russellsformen.com/03rch03items/hir-9pcset.html

For a convenient way to carry a complete set on you all the time get you one of these Carvin' Jacks. When I first got this I wasn't impressed much with the locks on the blades. Actually on the chisel I still am not but for the bucks spent its worth it for the steel and edge keeping. These things work well and the blades are excellent. They are also available right or left handed. I might add that A.G., nice as he is, is asking a bit more for this puppy than it can be found elsewhere. I bought mine for under $100 but can't remember the name of the store to tell you where. Just do a google search and shop around on this one.
http://www.russellsformen.com/04rch04/flx-jkn91.html
 
puukkoman said:
Also check out the seahorse whittler pattern, by Case. You may like it, although my guess is that you'll have to sharpen it pretty frequently (stainless steel).
Click to expand...
The better seahorse whittler is the large Bulldog Wharncliff Whittler. Very similar to the Case Seahorse, but with carbon steel blades. I've got one, and it whittles like a dream.
 
silenthunterstudios said:
Anybody have any suggestions? Just want a simple whittler with a good handle.
Click to expand...

I have a handful of stockman knives with carbon steel blades that I regularly use. I've been very happy wtih a Case CV stockman, a Cold Steel Jr. Stockman (I know Cold Steel isn't a favorite on these forums, and honestly, they're not my favorite either, but their Jr. Stockman in Carbon V steel is a very nice little slipjoint), a Queen medium stockman in with D2, and an old Schrade Old Timer.

Those are all handy because I carry them frequently. They mostly get used for quick little stuff, or passing them when I'm outside.

When I'm going to be doing some dedicated whittling, I usually pull out my Woody's. For those not familiar with them, I've found the custom wood carving knives from Woody, made with D2 steel, to be wonderful. They've available from his website here.

I have all three of them. They came razor sharp, and they hold an edge wonderfully. Excellent knives.
 
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