Wood carving is an important part of the furniture making process. However, there are things you need to do to improve your skills. Let’s briefly discuss some things you can do.
Choose Softwood- Woodworkers agree that a general problem faced by them all is that they regularly sharpen their knives’ blades. They do this because, most times, they choose the wood that ends up dulling their knives. If you want to reduce your sharpening time, we advise choosing softwood for your projects. Softwood is easier to carve, and they also don’t normally dull blades.
Think safety- The sooner you come to terms with the fact that not all wood is safe to work with, the better you will become. Some wood is toxic and can cause serious allergies. Some wood can have a very disgusting smell. In choosing wood to work with, try and choose the wood that will pose less risk to your health. You will enjoy your project better.
Function- The purpose of the intended furniture determines which wood type is used. For example, if you need a table in the kitchen, understand that it must be wood that can absorb moisture without eventually succumbing to moisture-damage.
In such a situation, choose hardwood.
We understand that shopping for wood carving knives online can be stressful; that is why we have compiled a list of brands you can trust for you. Do not forget to read customer reviews before putting your money on any brand of wood carving knives.
Our Top Picks for the Best Wood Carving Knives
1. SCHAAF Full Size Wood Carving Tools Set of 12 with Canvas Case – Gouges and Chisels for Beginners, Hobbyists, and Professionals
Designed to hold onto cavities for a long time, you don’t need to worry about any potential damage to the knives. The handles, which are 14 centimeters in length, are designed in the European octagonal style. This design prevents the knives from rolling away from your while at work.
Even though it does not come sharpened, once you take care of that, it remains sharpened through many years of use. No matter what your project involves, you will always find your ideal knife from these 12 tools.
Specifications
- Product dimensions: 11 x 6 x 4 Inches
- Item weight: 2.5 Pounds
- Manufacturer: Schaaf Tools
- Style: 12-piece
- Customer reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Pros
- Ideal tools for beginners as they get to choose from the 12-piece
- You get a book detailing how to use them once you purchase these carving knives
Cons
- The blades do not come sharpened
2. 8PCs Wood Carving Knife Lathe Chisel Set Turning Tools Woodworking Gouge Skew Parting Spear
If you are not familiar with the outlined dimensions, here is a simple breakdown. There are round knives, slant knives, a flat knife, a triangle knife, and a sword type knife.
Obviously, from this diverse set of knives, cutting and carving wood into any type of shape will not be a problem as long as you understand what you’re doing.
The blades are made of steel, and the wood handles are polished to give you a firm, but comfortable grip. It is a good knife set for beginners and woodworkers who want to upgrade their existing tools.
Specifications
- Product dimensions: 14.96 x 9.84 x 1.38 Inches
- Item weight: 2.99 Pounds
- Material: Wood
- Style: 8 pieces of wood carving knife
- Manufacturer: Amon Tech
- Customer reviews: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Pros
- They are easy to handle
- You have various tools for different project requirement
- They are durable
Cons
- The blades do not come sharpened
3. Puli Craft Wood Carving Knife Tools Set – Gouges Chisels Sharpening Stone Mallet Beginner Woodworking Kit with Canvas Case
The 12 knives are of different sizes and shapes, giving you an option with each difficult turn your project takes. Even though you may need to sharpen this set when you get them, as soon as you get it out of the way, it may take years before you sharpen them again.
They are made of durable steel that equips you to use even hardwood. Those wooden handles are designed with the traditional European octagonal shape in mind. This design will prevent the knife from rolling far away from reach when working.
The set is well packed in a compact case, making it an ideal gift for family and friends with the same passion.
Specifications
- Product dimensions: 10.43 x 6.5 x 2.83 Inches
- Item weight: 4.79 Pounds
- Manufacturer: NS BRANDS LLC
- Style: 12-piece
- Customer reviews: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Pros
- They are durable
- Handles are comfortable to hold onto
Cons
- You need to get the blades sharpened on your own
4. Flexcut Carving Knives, Starter Set, with Ergonomic Handles and Carbon Steel Blades, Set of 3 (KN500)
The wooden handle perfectly complements it as they are lightweight and compact, polished to give you a comfortable grip while enjoying every moment of your time working.
It is a set of three carving knives that include a rounded cutting knife, a detailed knife with which you can make more narrow cuts, and a straight and long, roughing knife for removing stocks.
Specifications
- Product dimensions: 1 x 1 x 1 Inches
- Item weight: 7.2 Ounces
- Manufacturer: FLEXCUT
- Style: 3-piece knife starter set
- Handle material: Wood
- Customer reviews: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Pros
- Comfortable to handle
- Easy to use
- Durable and strong
Cons
- Experts may not enjoy this set as they are specially made for beginners
5. 2pc Wood Carving Knife Set Luthier Whittling Decoy Caricature Chip
The hooked blade is for chip carving while the murphy blade is for whittling. They are designed to reach corners and tight spaces. The blades are made of durable carbon steel. Even though they come sharpened, you might still need to sharpen them to fit your needs.
The handles are well crafted to fit into your palm with ease. They are not too small, nor are they too large. It is ideal and easy to use for both beginners and expert carpenters. They are of great qualities, both the blades and the wooden handle, making these carving knives durable.
Specifications
- Product dimensions: 6.9 x 1.5 x 0.6 Inches
- Item weight: 2.89 Ounces
- Manufacturer: Gorla
- Material: 1095 Tool Steel
- Style: 2-piece
- Customer reviews: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Pros
- They are easy to use
- The knives are durable
- The price is not too high
Cons
- They may not be available in some regions
6. FLEXCUT KN250 Deluxe Knife Set, 18 Razor-Sharp Carving Knives Included
It is an ideal gift to family and friends who are passionate about wood carving. They offer great value for money because you have everything you need in this one set. They come in a beautiful leather case that can help you keep them all in one place without you having to search for each piece every time. The case also makes storage and transport of these beautiful carving tools possible.
Considering The steel blades and their corresponding comfortable wooden handles, they can be used on any wood type. They are durable, strong, and can be used for several projects.
Specifications
- Product dimensions: 5 x 5 x 5 Inches
- Item weight: 3 Pounds
- Manufacturer: FLEXCUT
- Style: 18-piece
- Material: Blend
- Customer reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Pros
- Easy to use
- Wide variety to choose from
- Wooden handles are comfortable to hold
Cons
- Beginners may find it hard using these knives
Factors to Consider When Buying Wood Carving Knife
In choosing knives for wood carving, there are certain factors you need to consider. But before we consider those factors, it is good to understand the two types of wood carving knives there is to know.
Folding Blades vs. Fixed Blades
Folding knives are portable because carrying a 12” blade around in public isn’t ideal. It automatically half the size and makes it easier to carry around.
With a folding knife, you have a compact but effective tool to handle all of your wood carving projects. One disadvantage with folding knives is that there is a lever break in the carving blade. With more pressure, the lever can break, which could eventually lead to damage.
So on the one hand, it offers some measure convenience, but on the other hand, it is vulnerable to damage under pressure.
However, fixed knives may not have the best appeal to many people, since they might not have the portability of folding knives. But they are the most durable set of wood carving knives you will ever find available.
They are strong, not conjoined, and are always longer. Another advantage is that they can be cleaned easily and fast after each use. Since they have flatter edges, they carve better too.
So there you have both. Based on your preference, you can always make your choice.
So let’s get back to the factors to consider when choosing a wood carving knife.
The blade– What the blade is made of will determine how long you will get to use your knife. So go for carbon steel blades as your first choice. As an alternative, you can go for stainless steel blades. They are known to last longer and carve better. Read the product description to be sure of the blade.
Folding or fixed– Depending on what you want, either it is convenience or durability; you can choose one of the fixed and folding knives. Having known the benefits and demerits of each, read the product description to ascertain which type you are buying.
Your project– Think for a moment about the project you have on hand. What type of blade do you think will do the job better? It is said that longer and thinner blades carve wood better than thicker, shorter knives. To strike a balance, weigh these factors against each other.
Final Verdict
As earlier mentioned, much of your project’s success is linked to the quality of the knives you use in wood carving. Since there are so many counterfeit products online, we hope this review has proved helpful in your search for the best wood carving knives.