I'm diving into figure carving and could use some help finding a good knife! I was initially leaning towards Flexcut, but I'm having a hard time locating one online in the UK. I've checked out some European options from the wiki, but they're all sold out. I'd really appreciate any recommendations so I can get started soon!
6 Answers
For an all-around knife, I’d recommend the Morakniv 120. It’s reliable and great for beginners!
Flexcut knives are actually available in the UK! They have a dealer list you can check out. I found that you can get them at Axminster Tools for about £32 for a KN13. Another knife I like is the Ben Orford Big Pick Knife—it's a bit pricey but a solid tool for carving. Some people prefer the scandi grinds for figure carving since they’re easy to sharpen. You might want to look into Morakniv as well, which is usually more affordable.
Yeah, Flexcut knives are a decent option if you can find the pro series. I found some available online. A knife around 35-40mm is versatile, but you might want a smaller 25mm for detail work. I experimented with a Mora, but honestly, I didn’t find it great for figure carving since the blade's too thick for detailing.
I'd recommend getting in touch with Woodsmith—they stock a ton of carving tools and provide great advice regardless of your budget. They've got just about everything you might need!
If you're looking for something budget-friendly, a Mora is a decent choice. If you want to splurge a bit, check out Djarv knives—they make some high-quality stuff!
You should check out Johnny Layton's latest YouTube video about Mstein knives. He goes into detail, and it could really help you make a decision!