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Top 10 Best Whittling Knives for Even Hardwood

By Woodcarver 3 Comments

As the number of best whittling knives continues to increase on the market, it becomes difficult to find the ones that are worthwhile.

Will it be durable?

Can it hold an edge?

Will it be sharp enough to handle my project?

If you’re asking any of these questions, rest assured; we have you covered here. While not ranked, here is a list of 10 best whittling knives that are sure to meet any and all of your whittling needs:

Our Top Pick

Morakniv 120
Our top selling whittling knife has the most reliable high carbon steel for longer carving time and used by beginners and professionals alike.

Pricing On Amazon

 

The Morakniv is highly effective, long lasting, and used by beginners and experts. Check all specs and other details below!

Best Whittling Knives List

This list was accumulated through significant amount of testing for each knife with the best wood for carving. In no particular order, here is the our list of the best wood carving knives out on the market.

KnifeReviewSteelBlade LengthRating
Morakniv 120Read The ReviewLaminated With Carbon Core2.4 inches/60 mm★★★★★
Opinel No.8Read The ReviewCarbon Steel3.25 inches/82.55 mm★★★★★
Morakniv 106Read The ReviewLaminated With Carbon Core3.2 inches/82 mm★★★★☆
Flexcut Whittlin JackRead The ReviewHigh Carbon SteelDetail: 1.5"/38.1 mm
Roughing: 2"/50.8 mm		★★★★☆
Flexcut Cutting KnifeRead The ReviewHigh Carbon Steel1.25 inches/31.75 mm★★★★★
Morakniv 164Read The ReviewCarbon Steel2 inches / 50 mm
Internal radius: 0.5"/13 mm		★★★★☆
Flexcut Tri-Jack ProRead The ReviewHigh Carbon SteelRoughing: 1.75"/44.45mm
Detail: 1 5/16"/33.3375mm		★★★★☆
Flexcut Carvin JackRead The ReviewHigh Carbon SteelCheck For Blade Length★★★★☆
Wayne BartonRead The ReviewHigh Carbon Alloy SteelCheck For Blade Length★★★★☆
Morakniv CompanionRead The ReviewHigh Carbon Steel4.1 inches/104 mm★★★★☆
[Read more…] about Top 10 Best Whittling Knives for Even Hardwood

Best Wood Chisels You Can’t Find Elsewhere

By Woodcarver Leave a Comment

For all wood carvers, from beginner to veteran, we examined, tested, and thoroughly researched 6 of the best wood chisels and found the Stanley 16-401 Bailey 5 Piece Chisel Set to be the best wood chisels for all woodcarving projects!

Chisels are utilized among carvers in a technique called Relief Carving that requires a mixture of chisels, mallets, and gouges to create images in flat woods. Other carving knives are used for detail work, but the majority of the carving uses chisels.

I’ve listed the best wood chisels in this article to get anyone started!

Recommended Best Selling Wood Chisel

The Stanley 16-401 Bailey 5-Piece Chisel is a brand of hand tools perfect for a serious woodworker who demands perfection in his craftwork; these high-quality chisels will help an experienced craftsman to achieve his full potentials.

Stanley 16-401 is designed with characteristics stained beech handles and an upgraded brass ferrule; these chisels have a new grinding center with an improved blade finish.

It comes with multiple Bailey-style chisels and a leather storage pouch. Each tool features a micro-precision grind for superior sharpness straight out of the box. Carbon chrome steel provides long-lasting edge retention and the lacquered blades are resistant to corrosion.

It also comes with Hardwood handles which offer comfort and impact resistance. This chisel set with tool pouch features a limited lifetime warranty.

Stanley 16-401 Bailey 5 Piece Chisel Set

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The Mora Companion MG Review

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With 125 years of knife production and knowledge, Morakniv is another popularly recognized knife company. The Mora Companion MG review shows a military green, is among the top selling products this company has to offer.

It performs extremely well, holds a consistent edge with heavy work, and comfortable to hold without chaffing or blisters developing.

mora companion mg Mora Companion MG (Military Green) With 4.1″ High Carbon Steel Fixed Blade

Best Selling Morakniv Knife

Buy for under $15 on Amazon

 

Steel:High Carbon Steel
Handle Material:Black Hard Rubber With Military Green Plastic.
Sheath Material:Plastic
Tang:3/4 Tang
Blade Length:4.1"
Blade Thickness:2.0mm
Grind Type:Scandinavian
Full Length: 8.6"
Weight:2.7 ounces
Full Weight With Sheath:3.9 ounces
Belt Clip:Yes
Blunt Tip:No
Type:Multi purpose folding knife

Specs To Note

This Mora product is accompanied with a plastic military green sheath with a belt clip attached.

Altogether, its full weight, with sheath, comes to 3.9 ounces. Removing its sheath, the mora companion mg alone is a very light 2.7 ounces, just enough to remember it’s hanging from your waistline but easily maneuverable in hand.

Sporting a hard rubber handle for optimal precision cutting, this knife creates accurate manipulation for its user.

Traveling through the handle is a 3/4 tang high carbon steel blade that extends to 4.1″. Edging this medium sized multipurpose blade is a 22 degree angled bevel making it a Scandinavian grind.

The biggest advantages this knife brings us are the 3/4 tang, steel type, Scandinavian grind, and the hard rubber handle to maneuver it all.

Although, several of these key advantages also illuminate the faults in this knife. Here’s what they are and what to do about it.

[Read more…] about The Mora Companion MG Review

Opinel No 9 Review

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Since 1890, I learned before writing this article about the Opinel No 9 review, it has been manufacturing uniquely designed pocket knives which have received much of its recognition by Pablo Picasso, the French people, and eventually the world when they’re knife was placed alongside the Porsche 911 and Rolex watch in the Victoria and Albert Museum, the world’s leading museum of art and design.

The Opinel No 9 Review

is one of the top selling knives produced by this company. Other Opinel knives differ in size which is a major deciding factor when purchasing any of these knives, as well as not having the trademark Virobloc locking system that doesn’t come on the smaller Opinels.

Fortunately, the Opinel No 9 review shows it DOES include the stainless steel Virobloc to keep from hazardous accidents.

It opens up to 8.25″ and closes to 4 5/8″, perfect size to slide into your pocket but long enough to remember it’s there.

Steel:XC90 Carbon Steel
Handle:Beechwood
Blade Length:3.56"
Length Closed: 4 5/8"
Full Length: 8.25"
Weight:2oz
Locking Mechanism:Stainless Steel Virobloc
Type:Multi purpose folding knife
opinel no 9
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The Opinel No 9 review reveals sharpness, made with quality carbon steel, simple, and incredibly effective. Get YOURS today!

Specs Continued

The opinel no 9 is made with a beechwood handle with a tapered end, popularly known as a fishtail end, that creates a comfortable support edge for your hand. Some people find it uncomfortable if their grip is awkward or their hand is too big.

Attached to the handle is the XC90 carbon steel. There isn’t an offical Rockwell hardness rating but the average tends to be between 55-60, not only that but the blade holds an edge very well. Edge geometry (convex) is sometimes more valuable than Rc hardness.

[Read more…] about Opinel No 9 Review

Opinel No 7 Review

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Here’s something interesting real read in this Opinel No 7 Review you may have not known.

In France, the birthplace of Opinel knives, all pocket knives are actually referred to as Opinel’s.

Sort of similar to how people in the U.S. refer to hot tubs as Jacuzzi’s, but really it’s just the name of a hot tub company.

Opinel No 7 Review With Virobloc Locking Collar and Top Grain Leather Sheath

One of the top selling Opinel Knives

Buy for under $13 on Amazon

 

Not interesting enough?

Well, here’s something that’s more impressive:

The Opinel knife is well acknowledged for it’s unique and aesthetic design as a pocket knife, so much so that it has been included in the world’s largest museum for decorative arts and designs (Victoria and Albert Museum in London) since 1985 along side the Porsche 911 and Rolex watch.

The Opinel is a popular object used on a daily basis. Its aesthetics and functionality have convinced several generations of users. Unchanged for over a century, its design is one of the most successful of all times. For this reason, Opinel is recognised by the “Victoria and Albert Museum” as being among the 100 best designs. This list includes the Porsche 911 and the Rolex watch.Opinel

After reading this THREE times on Opinel’s Wikipedia page, I had to make sure it was true on the company’s website, and sure enough it is.

Still not blown away?

This will knock your socks off:

There are records that even Pablo Picasso used these knives for sculpting!

It’s incredible to think a knife company has a history of such significant recognition for not only it’s design but many other traits I will provide for you in this review of the Opinel No 7

Opinel No 7 Review Specs

Many features listed in the table are similar to other knives by this company.

The only real difference which tends to be the deciding factor between purchasing it or not is the size variations this company provides.

Although, the lower number models don’t have the virobloc locking mechanism which also could be a deal breaker but their quality is still as high as the others.

The total length of the knife is 7 inches and folds into 4 inches, just enough to practically forget it’s in your pocket.

Typically, the Opinel No 7 review shows it surpasses light tasks like kitchen prep, trimming shrubs, skinning animals, but it’s carbon steel blade extends its multipurpose functionality into wood carving.

Most wood carving knives are made out of carbon steel since it tends to cut wood easier than most other types of steels.

Alternatively, there are stainless steel versions available if you are worried about the carbon steel rusting, more on rust prevention later.

Knife:
Steel:XC90 Carbon Steel
Handle:Beechwood
Blade Length:3" (77mm)
Length Closed: 4" (100mm)
Full Length: 7" (177mm)
Weight:1.3 oz (37g)
Total Length:
Locking Mechanism:Stainless Steel Virobloc
Type:Multi purpose folding knife

Best Qualities & Affordability

Now, if you haven’t looked at the pricing for this Opinel No 7 review then I’ll go ahead and bring it to your attention that the knife is VERY affordable.

Affordability alone isn’t so impressive, because there are plenty of low priced pocket knives that can carve.

What is impressive is the quality, design characteristics, history, and reliability of the knife for the price.

Here are several key notes I’m talking about:

[Read more…] about Opinel No 7 Review

Opinel No 6 Review

By Woodcarver Leave a Comment

A simple, yet sleek French folding knife, the Opinel No 6 review is a great tool for overall use. Featuring a unique design, a carbon steel blade, and classic wooden handle, there is no doubt why this is a popular choice for many people.

However…

is it really as great as several have claimed?

We are going to break down the particulars of the knife, its advantages, flaws, and discuss its overall value.

First, let’s take a look at the details.

Opinel No 6 Review Details

Although simple, the Opinel No 6 review shows some admirable features:

  • The wooden handle is made of Beechwood
  • The blade is made of carbon steel, although there is a stainless steel alternative
  • The blade length is 2 14/16”
  • Features a folding mechanism where the blade is encased in the wooden handle
  • The spine of the tool offers a sharp grind
  • In order to keep the blade in place when opened, there is a stainless steel Virobloc rotating locking ring
  • When closed, the knife length is 3 5/8” and when opened, the length is 6 1/2”
  • The weight measures in at .5 lbs. (8 ounces)
Knife:Opinel No 6
Steel:XC90 Carbon Steel
Handle:Beechwood
Blade Length:2 14/16”
Weight: .5 lbs (8 ounces)
Total Length:6 1/2”
Locking Mechanism:Stainless Steel Virobloc
Type:Multi purpose folding knife

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The BIGGEST highlights with the No. 6 are its handle, blade, and the Virobloc rotating locking ring.

The wooden handle presents an ergonomic design and while somewhat bulky, it is lightweight and can still be easily carried around.

The carbon steel blade is slim and offers a sharp grind when closed, allowing the user to spark ferrocerium rods.

Lastly, the Virobloc locking ring, not found on smaller options from the brand, is a great feature for safety and functionality.

 

Let’s see how these highlights give the Opinel No. 6 advantages over its competition. [Read more…] about Opinel No 6 Review