"Cheap Knife"

[mpounders]

When I started carving, I found that a plain utility knife worked quite well, especially with my limited sharpening experience! Lynn Doughty has inspired a lot of people to give them a try and I still use mine quite often. Although the handle is comfortable to me, it is kinda plain in appearance compared my Helvies and other knives, so i decided to fancy it up a bit. I own several, but I made this one by epoxying a blade between two pieces of pine. I thought I was going to teach a beginning carving class and I had the idea to make some like this for students to use. Total cost was about 25 cents! I've used to do leather work and I've used the patterns before on canes, but I'm a fan of Jordan Straker and his realistic carvings of leather and clothing. This didn't turn out too bad. Thanks for looking!

[fiddlesticks]

Very nice. The staining/finishing you did really brings out the beautiful carving.

[dogcatcher]

I love the pattern, really looks great.

[uvawyo]

Mighty pretty!

[joepaulbutler]

I think lots of us are using utility knives because of Lynn. The leather pattern on the wood handle really turn out well.

[Bob K.]

Beautiful work, Mike! This might be a dumb question but did you do that with the leather working tools or wood carving tools?

[Soggy]

I'm one of those that started using a utility knife ( aka "Old Reliable ") after watching Lynn's videos, but I don't have any that are as "Purdy" as that one. Might just have to add that to my "To do list".
Wayne

[jimp]

Neat idea and great carving!
Jim

[scotia carver]

Hi Mike Very nice design , I am sure Soggy is going to come up with a Purdy knife very soon, we are do for more " SNOW " tonight and tomorrow, Wayne will be settled in the basement all day for sure
Bruce

[BrandantR]

That's taking a simple tool and turning it into a piece of art. I love it.

[Arthur C.]

Beautiful work, Mike! Great idea.

[rjrsky]

Beautiful work. Neat idea. How do you hone and/or sharpen? Or, do you?

[Magicman]

Hi Mike
That is some beautiful carving. Did you use a high speed carver for it?
Larry

[Mottles]

WOW, your utility knife handle is just gorgeous...your leather tooling skills really makes an artistic look to the handle. Wondering can you use a glue release on the blade when dulled? I'd want to be able to use my handle of the utility knife over and over any thoughts?

[honketyhank]

That may have been a cheap knife at one time. Not now. I'd be proud to have it in my lineup.