First knife suggestions

[joepaulbutler]

I like the thinnest at times when finishing just my 2¢

[Squid-61]

Re: First knife suggestions

I suggest a Murphy knife. It is fairly cheap and holds a good edge. I have a feeling more carvers start out with this knife than other knives.
Bill K.

I use a Murphy knife for cutting leather but find the blade a bit to thin for me for woodworking. They are very good knives for the price and hold their edge well.

[Squid-61]

You won't stick with a 1" X 1" block for long so get a knife that will work later as a detail knife. I prefer the stronger tip of a Bench Knife style blade and I prefer the OCC knives in that size range of 1.25" to 1.5" blade, but you won't know what you prefer until you try a few. The suggestion about finding a club or at least another carver near you is very good advice to try a few different knives. For information I do most of my carving on anything over a 2" square chunk of wood with my 2.4" Mora 122, again I prefer the straight bench knife blade edge over a curved blade edge.

[Albert12]

I can advise you to make purchases with good tools and many others where I recently bought a stripper for wood. It was only after purchasing the tool that I was able to finish my project. I was satisfied, it's nice to work with a good tool.

[arko12]

I just want to make sure I am not buying something to big or small for that type of carving.
It looks like a 1x1 basswood block is where I should start?

[Spiritwolfe]

Great thread.
Thanks

[papasar]

Re: First knife suggestions

Well said Paul.

[Paul_Guraedy]

Re: First knife suggestions

Here is my take on knives: I bought a Murphy knife when I started carving in 1980. I now have a whole bunch of knives. The Murphy is my go to knife over all of the others. My next preference is a Shipley, now OCC or something like that. I have had several of the people I tutored buy a Murphy. All came relatively sharp, taking only a few strokes on my leather charged with Yellowstone to prepare them for carving. I told them start with this cheapest of good knives and acquire others as you get the feel of carving and buy them when you are able to actually carve with them. Many available at shows, or try one that someone else owns. As a last resort buy one by mail that has been recommended by someone on WCI. But, do this only after viewing their carvings to make sure both of you are doing the same type carving.

[natdob]

Re: First knife suggestions

There\'s plenty of websites to find reviews of good carving knives for beginners all over the web.
http://www.bestwoodcarvingtools.com/
I usually go to this website for their recommendations.

[mrpipster]

Re: First knife suggestions

Actually, I may have a real good knife I can sell you for a few bucks. Send me a PM and We can talk about it.

Wow! Thanks! PM coming.

[Bob K.]

Re: First knife suggestions

Actually, I may have a real good knife I can sell you for a few bucks. Send me a PM and We can talk about it.

[Bob K.]

Re: First knife suggestions

A Murphy knife is a very inexpensive (cheap) knife that has a very cheap, thin and boring (unattractive) handle (in my opinion). You can even buy them in a craft store. The blade comes pretty sharp but it will require some honing to get to carving sharp (in my opinion)...the Helvie comes ready to carve. Like Joe said, Google Murphy knife and compare it to the Helvie knives I recommended and make your own decision. A little extra money spent up front will save you a lot of frustration and aggravation in the long run. The attached photo shows a Murphy knife and a Helvie knife (the Helvie has a shorter than usual handle because I had it custom made for myself).

[papasar]

Re: First knife suggestions

go to the bottom of this thread for more suggestions.

[joepaulbutler]

Re: First knife suggestions

https://www.rmurphyknives.com.

I use google to locate things that people suggest. . . JoeB

[mrpipster]

Re: First knife suggestions

I suggest a Murphy knife. It is fairly cheap and holds a good edge. I have a feeling more carvers start out with this knife than other knives.
Bill K.

what is a Murphy knife?