What are your favorite woodcarving knife makers? why?

EngrSorenson

EngrSorenson

Noticed by Senpai
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Most of us recognize that you can whittle or carve with knives made by lots of makers, but when you do reach for a woodcarving-specific knife, what makers do you like?

I recently went down the rabbit hole again, but opted to stick with what I know. I've got a couple new woodcarving knives on order, so I figured I'd pose the question while I wait.
I tend to favor:

Deepwoods Ventures: made to order by a guy in Minnesota who's a woodcarver, himself. 2-3 week wait, but reasonable prices for a pretty outstanding knife.

Flexcut: I like that they are ubiquitous and of good quality. $25 lands a Flexcut detail knife that does basically 85.1% of everything I need in my carving.

My only stipulation is that if you say "Helvie" that you tell me how you managed to buy one, and if you think it's worth it.
 
The Mora 106 is highly regarded for a reason. Inexpensive. Arrives screaming sharp and ready to use. The only thing wrong with it is the cheap plastic sheath.

If I want a shorter blade, I reach for my Pinewood Forge sloyd knife.
 
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The LT Wright offerings ain't exactly cheap, but I'd be willing to bet that Enzo’s Woodshop Enzo’s Woodshop could tell you a thing or two about their "Scandi" stuff.
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I have a full set of Morakniv specialized woodcarving knives. They're better than a lot of other entry level stuff out there, but there are a ton of quality general use knives with Scandi and convex grinds.
 
Enzo’s Woodshop Enzo’s Woodshop seem like he can do it with any knife he has!!!! Me on the.other hand don't have an artistic bone in my body🙃.....I have the flesh cut 6 blade locking one!! Its great to fahtz around with but I still come out with turds😜....I'm waiting for the gentleman whose dad does all those characters and paints them!!!!
Can't remember his handle for crap!!! Old timers I guess... I'm only just past half a century but seems I can't remember anything from yesterday back to 02 - 03 it seems!!
 
jfk1110 said:
Enzo’s Woodshop Enzo’s Woodshop seem like he can do it with any knife he has!!!! Me on the.other hand don't have an artistic bone in my body🙃.....I have the flesh cut 6 blade locking one!! Its great to fahtz around with but I still come out with turds😜....I'm waiting for the gentleman whose dad does all those characters and paints them!!!!
Can't remember his handle for crap!!! Old timers I guess... I'm only just past half a century but seems I can't remember anything from yesterday back to 02 - 03 it seems!!
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Same.

I saw some simple tutorials on youtube. And will basically just keep doing one untill I am good at it.
 
1911bphil said:
I usually use an SAK. I use the small blade so I have more control. Please share what you carve.
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I'm wrapping up a project today, so I'll snap a picture with the carving and what I used to carve it. Nothing fancy, but the kind of thing I consider proper 'carving' more than 'whittling'.

most of my carving is what I consider "whittling"- I use whatever pocket knife I have on me (sometimes the small blade of a SAK, like you) to turn sticks and scraps into things. The sort of thing where how I'm passing the time is more important than the finished product.
 
EngrSorenson said:
Jiki Jiki hasn't chimed in yet- I'd be interested to hear what companies he prefers.
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Hey there EngrSorenson EngrSorenson , how have you been? I know you have a 35 Churchill, which is one of my favorite "non-carving" carving knives.

As far as purpose built carvers. I do have Helvies. I bought them 4 years ago, so I think it was only a 2 month wait back then. They are very good no doubt, however I think there are other options that are just as good or better for little or no wait and less $.

I use two other brands most of the time however. Drake and OCC.

Drake- pros- comfortable in the hand, razor sharp, fine tip, and reasonably priced.
Cons- tips will break (I only use them in basswood), 6 week wait.

OCC- pros- sharp, available, tough, and cheap.
Cons-less comfortable in the hand(it's a block of wood you can shape yourself), Mike Shipley sold the brand, new production is not the same quality. I found out that Mike is still producing the walnut handle knives. The new company is producing the oak handle knives. ONLY BUY THE WALNUT HANDLE OCCS!

Another new player is Badger State Blades. I have no experience with them, however they are getting positive reviews.20230605_200150.jpg
 
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Like jfk1110, I favor the Flexcut Carving Jack, only I have the cabinet jack they used to make (with the corner chisel, marking knife and edge rounding tool). Carry it daily, use it all the time.

Probably use the corner chisel and marking knife the most.

Parker
 
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1 1911bphil Here's a carving I made after the fashion of Doug Linker.
I used the tools you see here; some because I had to, some because I wanted to.
Pfeil made the 5 mm #9 gouge and the upswept blade is a Deepwoods Ventures roughing knife.
(sadly I lost my straight bladed Deepwoods, but that's going to be fixed by this weekend).
 
Gil Drake passed away earlier today. He had been battling cancer for over a year now. His son David has been handling production for some time now.

Rest in peace knife maker.
 
Jiki said:
Gil Drake passed away earlier today. He had been battling cancer for over a year now. His son David has been handling production for some time now.

Rest in peace knife maker.
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I’m sorry to hear that, but I’m glad to hear there’s a legacy. The father-son connection is always nice to see.

Also, you’re very informed of the goings on in very specific subcategories of the knife world.
 
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