Carving knives
Carving knives
EXPERT KNOWLEDGE CARVING KNIVES
Carving knives have a Lengthy tradition and have been used for processing wood for centuries. The Swedish knives from Mora are particularly well known for their functionality and reliability. Carving knives are versatile and suitable for numerous uses in woodworking. They are ideal for carving wooden figures, hollowing out wood and creating fine details. Carving knives are particularly irreplaceable when restoring old furniture and producing decorative wooden objects.
The most important principle in carving!
Carving knives must be sharp to make the work fun and to minimise the risk of injury. This also applies to children's knives or children's carving knives. The risk of slipping with a blunt carving knife is much greater than cutting yourself on a sharp blade. If a carving knife is sharp, you get used to the counter-pressure required for precise guidance. If the knife becomes blunt, more cutting pressure is required and it becomes more difficult to hold it. This creates a risk of injury. In addition, this type of knife guidance means that, in case of doubt, too much Material is removed in the wrong place.
Cut protection glove tip
For beginners, we recommend wearing "ProHands" cut protection gloves in confusing or difficult work situations!
Carving knives - the most important types
Classic Carving knives
The wood carving knife is ideal for figurative carving and is offered by brands such as Pfeil, DICTUM. These carving knives enable detailed work, which is particularly important when creating figures and complex patterns.
Carving knives - Carving knives in the Swedish tradition
These more robust carving knives, such as those produced by Morakniv, are not only suitable for carving, but also for bushcraft work. They are versatile and particularly durable.
The term craft knife:
The craft knife is characterised by its combination of functionality and durability. Over time, it has become the term for high-quality, robust knives that are particularly appreciated in Finland and Sweden.
A key feature of these Carving knives is its pointed Blade shape, which has been specially developed to enable precise cuts even in narrow areas. The special way of guiding the blade - often with just a few fingers or even just the little finger on the handle - is a typical feature of the carving knife.
Erich Frost, a pioneer in the production of wood carving knives, recognised the importance of a robust construction early on. His knives, which were originally made for the employees of his wooden sledge factory, were durable and had to cope with the limited material resources of the time. The Morakniv carving knives marketed today under the Morakniv brand combine this understanding of quality and durability.
The combination of traditional craftsmanship and later factory-made components made the Mora knife an indispensable tool in woodworking and had a lasting influence on the definition and reputation of the work knife. Today, there are several manufacturers who produce high-quality carving knives with these guiding principles. These include the hand-forged knives from Svantje Djärv as well as the DICTUM carving knives, which are available with different blade steels and handle types to suit every Intended use.
Paring knife
Carving knives are a special shape of carving knives. They are available in different versions. Some models have shorter blades for hollowing out spoons, while others have longer blades for larger hollows. The ergonomic handle of this knife ensures comfortable handling and allows you to work precisely over longer periods of time. Spoon carving is a special technique in woodworking in which this curved blade shape is used. Spoon knives are also used for the Production of a Kuksa, a hand-carved cup of the Sami (indigenous people in northern Scandinavia).
Carving knife
Notched carving knives have very different blade and handle shapes. They are used to carve different patterns into a wooden board using the notch carving technique.
Notch carving technique
When carving notches, you first draw patterns on the wood using a compass and pencil. These patterns are then cut out or pierced with the appropriate carving knives. This creates recessed patterns which, due to their frequent repetition, create a harmonious overall picture. The sharpness of the blade plays a decisive role in ensuring clean and precise cuts.
Carving with a pocket knife
Freehand carving in nature is not only a valuable activity for children. Even beginners can quickly improve their skills by practising with green wood (fresh branches). All you need to carve outdoors is a sharp pocket knife. In addition to the classics from Victorinox, there are also special folding children's carving knives (outdoor pocket knives) from Opinel. The blade of the Victorinox knives is locked in place by a spring, while the Opinel knives have a patented locking ring (Virobloc). Fixed Carving knives with Hand guards, e.g. under our own brand, are also popular. Quivers or Leather sheaths are available for these knives to protect fingers from the sharp edge during transport. The handle of the designated children's carving knives is usually also adapted to smaller hands to ensure a good grip.
What are sloyd knives (sloyd carving knives)?
Sloyd or Slöjd comes from the Swedish and is translated as "skilful work". Slöjd is a working method used by farmers. This labour approach was used to make tools for house building, farm work, household chores or fishing. In the 1870s, this approach became a training system that taught students general techniques. The sloyd knife was one of the first tools used for training. The skills learnt in carving created a foundation for Matériau du manche skills. The knife has a pointed straight edge. The tip was sharpened at an angle and was therefore blunt. It was easy to sharpen and offered a low risk of injury. The knife handle was oval-shaped and, as with the work knife (see above), allowed for different guiding options. Today, there are several versions of this type of knife that are based on the original version. Knives without a bevelled tip have the advantage for experienced carvers of being able to get into narrow areas. If the knife is used beyond its intended use as a classic carving tool, a pointed blade can also be used to open cardboard, mark patterns on wood or cut leather. This is where the knife comes full circle.
Which steels are available for Carving knives?
The classic choice is carbon steel. It can be finely sharpened and generally offers good sharpening properties. It can also be available in a multi-layered version as a cutting steel flanked by two edge steels. Such knife blades are better able to withstand bending stresses. Stainless steels can be useful in outdoor applications to protect the cutting edges from corrosion. A disadvantage here is the sharpenability.
