I'm diving back into whittling and I'm considering using Opinel knives for the task. I already own a number 8 stainless steel knife and I'm curious if that one is suited for whittling. Also, I've seen number 7 and 6 knives in stainless steel at a local shop, and a number 8 in carbon steel. Which size is generally best for whittling? And do I really need the carbon steel version, or is the stainless steel sufficient?
1 Answer
Yeah, I use my Opinel for everything, including whittling! If you're mainly whittling, I’d recommend the carbon steel blade because it sharpens easier than the stainless steel. Also, make sure to choose a size that feels comfortable in your hand!
What number do you use? I have a scalpel for fine detail and a Mora for roughing things out, but I'm looking for something that fits in the middle. I was thinking about the number 6, but it's only available in stainless for me.