Best detail knife next to Helvie

[lhow2000]

Hello carvers, just wondering what detail knife you would recommend that you believe is the best knife that you would purchase if you could not get a Helvie and in the same blade bevel and shape as a Helvie. Was talking to Hollie at Helvie and to get one of their knives there is a 180 day wait. My daughter wants to order me one to have for Christmas. Thanks, Leonard

[Nebraska]

My favorite detail knife is a B.K. Thurman then Diobsud Forge. Helvie is third on my list. Unfortunately my first choice blades have not been made for years so I troll eBay and pick them up when I can.

My advice order the Helvie because in six months the wait will be nine months or you can pick one up on eBay but plan on spending $125 to $200.

[Brian T]

If you admire the carvings made by the First Nations here in Pacific Northwest, you should not pass up on their blade smiths. Kestrel, Herb Rice, Jamie Sharp, North Bay. Most of them, you can buy the blades and make the handles to fit your hands.

I used to make a lot of my own from different blades.
Kind of like working with old friends, these days.

[tbox61]

I would say you need to visit Paul at Deepwoods Ventures... www.deepwoodsventures.com , or get one of Mike Shipley's OCC Tools detail knives. I have detail knives from both, and they are great!

As far as sharpness, they both are on par with each other, and are both put together very well. Great options for $35.00 or less...

[jjmg]

I'll second the OCC Tools, I have 2 of his knives and although I have a wall full of knives those are about the only 2 I use.

[Randy]

You may want to check out Drake carving knives the are one of my top choices. Also
Deepwoods Ventures is another good knife maker. Both excellent steel and well made knives as are those mentioned above.

https://drake-knives.myshopify.com/collections/knives

https://deepwoodsventures.com/

[DiLeon]

Drake detail is my top knife.

[joepaulbutler]

If you want to wait for your knife of choice, Helvie, and still have a good detail knife......I also use the less expensive knives the 9mm Olfa with the 30° tip, mine never leave my table. Just my 2¢.

[JerseyGirl]

I love my scalpel from Deepwoods Ventures and my OCC Tools knives (and I’m a big Helvie fan).

[Claude]

For a really fine detail knife for doing very small cuts and eyes, I use the Butz detail knife. https://www.rickbutzwoodcarving.com/category/tools/ (third photo down)

Claude

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Drake, OCC and Deepwoods. Also Dave Notto makes an awesome knife.

[Eddy-Smiles]

Since Allen Goodman's knives are harder than hens teeth to get a hold of Mike Shipley's OCC Tools are an outstanding second both performance and cost wise.

[Steve Reed]

Depends on what you consider a "detail" knife. I have a "Denny" (now OCC) that I bought years ago, that has a about a half inch blade by a little over a quarter inch. It's my "eye knife". Another option for details is a skew, like the ones Ramelson sells. Look around on the web, I'm sure you'll find something to your liking.
Steve

[Butch_Speer]

JMHO but OCCT are as good or better that Helvie. Cost less and are available.

[PHolder]

I am quite fond of my OCCT knives. Economical, available and ready to use.