There are many knives on the market today. Always look first for one that fits your hand. The length of the blade is equally as important. Most great carvers have a variety of knives with different blade shapes and lengths. Most good knives are in the $40-$50 range. Here are a few of the most common knives used:

Helvie Knives:

These are among the very best carving knives available. Rich & Holli Smithson are the owners of Helvie Knives, LLC [Helvie Knives, LLC, PO Box 145 Tipton, IN, 46072. Phone: 765-675-8811. Email: helvieknives@gmail.com].

These are excellent quality knives that hold a sharp edge. They are highly recommended for higher quality carving. They sell for around $40-$50. All knives are custom made by hand per your specific order. Because they are quality knives, lead times for delivery can reach 30-90 days from day of purchase, depending on how many orders they have at the time of your purchase.

John Dunkle Knives:

These are extremely good carving knives made of excellent quality steel to hold a sharp edge when used properly. The custom made handles and blades may vary slightly in length and size because they are custom made. They are highly recommended for higher quality carving. They sell for around $40-$50.

Knives may be ordered directly by contacting John Dunkle, 20400 Co. Rd. F, Archbold, Ohio 43502. Phone: 1-419-494-5948, or through most woodcarving vendors such as Stadtlander Woodcarving, 2951 Frost Road, Mantua, Ohio 44255. Phone: 330-931-7847. Email: bobstadtlander@roadrunner.com.

OCCTools Knives:

These are hand made by Mike Shipley (Mike & Sherry Shipley, 808 County Road 366, Dora, MO 65637. Phone 417-284-3416. Email: occtools@gmail.com.

OCC (Ozark County Character) Tools make quality knives at affordable prices. These tools are hand crafted from O1 tool steel and hardened to a Rockwell Hardness of HRC 59, which makes for a durable blade that holds a great edge. Some have walnut handles. All are pre-sharpened and ready to use upon arrival. [Mike has taken over the Denny Knife production since Denny retired from the business].

These are highly recommended for higher quality carving and sell for around $35-$45. Stadtlander Woodcarving, as well as many other suppliers, carry the OCCTool knives. Klingspor’s Woodworking Shop (local Winston-Salem Shop is at Pavillions Shopping Center, 532 Hanes Mall Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27103; Phone: 1-336-768-9663. Website: www.woodworkingshop.com) carries some OCCTool knives and gouges. [And, as a reminder, members of Triad Woodcarvers Club get a 10% discount on most everything in the store except power tools].

Drake Knives:

Drake Knives are owned by Gilbert and Bonnie Drake, 7227 128th St. NE, Arlington, WA. 98223. Phone: 360-659-6778. Email: gilbertldrake@aol.com.

These are excellent quality knives that hold a sharp edge. They sell for around $35-$50. All Drake tools have a lifetime warranty for manufacturing defects and satisfaction, including handle or blade breakage. Any tool that does not meet the buyer's expectations will be replaced at no cost to them. In addition, all tools carry a lifetime sharpening guarantee. Drake Knives will regrind and hone at no charge any "Drake Knife" returned with a padded envelope and return postage. “Drake Knives are our benchmark of quality. If you're not happy we want to know about it. — Sincerely, Gil & Bonnie Drake

Klingspor’s Woodworking Shop (local Winston-Salem Shop is at Pavillions Shopping Center, 532 Hanes Mall Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27103; Phone: 1-336-768-9663. Website: www.woodworkingshop.com) carries some Drake knives.

Murphy Knives:

These knives are okay for beginners, but are not recommended for higher quality carving. They each have a 5 inch long handle and sell for around $25. These can be found at most craft stores and at Klingspor’s Woodworking Shop (local Winston-Salem Shop is at Pavillions Shopping Center, 532 Hanes Mall Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27103; Phone: 1-336-768-9663).

Lee Ferguson Knives:

These knives are okay for the beginner and intermediate level carver. They are made by Lee Ferguson, 1993 Madison 7580, Hindsville, AR 72738. Phone: 479-443-0084. They sell for $35. Web Address: www.fergusonknives.com. Email: Info@fergusonknives.com.

All knives are handmade with tool steel blades and rosewood handles. They come pre-sharpened and ready to use. They hold an edge well and are easy to maintain. Most can be shipped within a few days, and shipping is FREE to USA on woodcarving knives.

Flexcut Knives:

These knives are fine for the beginner, intermediate and advanced level carver. They are moderately priced and available at Klingspor’s Woodworking Shop. Because of the way they are ground (two levels—a flat portion at the top of the blade and a sharpened part below), they are not as easily sharpened or honed as one that is fully ground into a v-shape; but, they do carve and hold an edge well.

To keep your knife sharp and properly honed, you will need a strop and compound. Klingspor’s Woodworking Shop, carries the John Dunkle strop and the John Dunkle compound. This is an excellent sharpening combination and highly recommended by TWC.

Some people, however, elect to make their own strop by gluing a piece of cowhide or pigskin to a wooden block. This leather strop works well too. Flexcut makes a gold-colored compound that works well with this type of leather strop. It is also available at Klingspor’s Woodworking Shop. From time-to-time, TWC has some pigskin paddle strops for sale at a nominal price.

Most all experienced carvers have a variety of gouges in their tool kits. The exact type and size depends on what the carver prefers. Some prefer the palm gouges while others prefer the straight handle ones. They are so many types and sizes that it would be practically impossible to describe a set that would suit every carving need for every wood carver. The best idea would be to observe what the more experienced carvers use, and what fits your hand and style, before purchasing. Gouges in kits offer the best deal in most cases as opposed to purchasing them individually; however, you sometimes get some gouges in a set that you would seldom use.

Klingspor’s Woodworking Shop offers a variety of gouges that are priced individually and in kits. Most USA and Swiss brands are of good quality and hold an edge well. Pfeil is one of the better Swiss brands available. Klingspor’s Woodworking Shop carries the Drake and OCCTools brands. Both of these are good quality gouges. The Pfeil gouges can be purchased on-line from many woodworking supply companies—they are expensive but great quality.

Most all wood can be used for carving; however, most carvers find that northern Basswood works best with the types of carving knives listed above. Basswood can be found at many of the hobby shops (don’t mistake Balsa Wood for Basswood!), at Klingspor’s Woodworking Shop, at large carving events (such as the Charlotte Woodcarving Show), at The Hardwood Store (Gibsonville, NC), on-line through catalogue sales, and the like. Often times TWC has some high quality Heinecke basswood available for sale for carving various projects. Remember, wood is heavy and may require a substantial amount of postage if purchased on-line. Basswood from Heinecke is considered to be the one of the best available by most carvers.

Arrowhead Wood Products also carries Basswood in a variety of sizes at competitive prices. This is Northern Minnesota Basswood that has been harvested, kiln dried and sized in Carlton, Minnesota. Orders can be placed on line at www.arrowheadwoodproducts.com; or by contacting Scott at 218-348-2688 or Erik at 218-206-5738.