Anyone whittle or carve?

[hooked]

I figured someone on IAP could help me with this. I have been experimenting with basic wood carvings (whittled birds and gnomes). I started by going to Woodcraft and getting a couple of Pfeil knives. I'm having a lot of fun, and I want to expand my tools.

I am finding that this is a rabbit hole, just like pen turning, and I am now looking at tools from several companies. I have no idea which way to go. Can anyone recommend a few knives and sizes to get started? I tried Beavercraft and didn't like how it cuts compared to Pfeil. Flexcut seems to be available everywhere and easy to find. Other brands I'm looking at are Deepwood Ventures, Deep Holler Knives, Silvern Works, Helvie (18-month wait list). To those who carve/whittle, do these boutique brands produce a better-quality knife than Flexcut or Pfeil, or is it just fancy wood handles? The guys at my local Woodcraft have nobody on staff who's into carving, so they can't help me figure out which knives to get in store.

Basically, I started with a Pfeil #1 chip carving knife, a BeaverCraft C2 bench knife, and a spoon knife. The chip knife feels very thin, and I occasionally catch the wood with it. The BeaverCraft is too thick and removes too much material. I don't know if my initial knife selections are bad or if I need something else. Any info on whittling/carving knives would be appreciated. I live by the "buy once, cry once" philosophy, so I would rather not buy something that I will want to upgrade soon. Thanks!

 

[Humongous]

Hi Mark , I also do some carving, mostly while camping with my wife sitting around the fire. I do small figures and wood spirits etc... I also started with the Pfeil knives. They are good quality and hold an edge, I still use mine for leatherwood now. Currently I use a set of Flexcut knives, also very good quality and made in the USA in Erie, PA. I would recommend the following set, https://www.flexcut.com/home/product/kn600-beginner-palm-and-knife-set.
It has a detail and rougher knife and two palm grip chisels, a V groove and a gouge. All are comfortable in the hand, take an edge and hold well, of course stropping frequently is recommended depending on the species you're carving. Hope this helps.

 

[hooked]

Hi Mark , I also do some carving, mostly while camping with my wife sitting around the fire. I do small figures and wood spirits etc... I also started with the Pfeil knives. They are good quality and hold an edge, I still use mine for leatherwood now. Currently I use a set of Flexcut knives, also very good quality and made in the USA in Erie, PA. I would recommend the following set, https://www.flexcut.com/home/product/kn600-beginner-palm-and-knife-set.
It has a detail and rougher knife and two palm grip chisels, a V groove and a gouge. All are comfortable in the hand, take an edge and hold well, of course stropping frequently is recommended depending on the species you're carving. Hope this helps.

I'm just working with Basswood right now to learn how to carve. I have been making some spoons out of cherry and walnut too. I was thinking that Flexcut would be the way to go. They seem easy to find and are very popular in the YouTube videos I have been following, but I couldn't tell if they were paid sponsors. Thank you for the recommended set.

I have been stropping about every 20 minutes. I use Zam compound on my strop. Is there something else I should be using that is better for these knives?