I'm looking to get some insights into the benefits and drawbacks of different knife blade shapes when it comes to roughing out wood. Currently, I'm using a Beavercraft C7 sloyd knife for the heavy lifting. However, I've noticed that many YouTube tutorials showcase straight-edged knives that seem to remove material much faster. I wonder if my struggles are more about my technique and knife sharpness, but I'm keen to learn how different blade shapes can affect the carving process.
4 Answers
I’m not a fan of Beavercraft knives. I think they might be dull and not made from the best steel. Personally, I prefer sloyd knives since they can handle both rough cuts and detail work. Their tip is perfect for tight curves, and the curved shape allows for smooth slicing motions when I’m removing larger amounts of wood.
Beavercraft knives are pretty thick, which can make carving tougher since you need more effort to push through the wood. The YouTubers you mention likely have better technique and more hand strength, which makes a whole lot of difference. Personally, I think sloyd knives aren’t great for most tasks, but that's just my opinion after trying a bunch of different carving knives!
Straight edges are great for achieving sharp corners and clean cuts. With curved blades, there’s always a risk of uneven depth. Plus, straight blades are usually easier to sharpen and maintain. While I haven’t used a Beavercraft knife, I’ve heard many folks say they don’t hold an edge as well as Flexcut or custom blades. Regular sharpening or stropping keeps your edge sharp and makes for cleaner cuts, which is definitely more enjoyable!
One thing that makes a big difference is the wood you’re working with. I've tried carving with Blackwood, oak, pine, and Australian timbers like Macropuca, and switching to basswood has been a game changer! It's way easier to carve. But yeah, relative ease doesn’t mean your hands won’t still be sore!