Project Information
I am making a very complex walking stick which I will post when finished. I have never had much success with commercial carving knives and so make my own. The ones shown were all specially made for this project, mostly by me and some by a mate. They are based on Japanese styles. The faces on the walking stick range in size from about 15mm to the largest at about 75mm. They all contain intricate detail with some parts being about 1mm deep and 1mm wide. All of the knives have small, narrow blades and handles about the size of a pencil. I hold and use the knives like a pencil.
All of my knives are made from recycled steel. The best I have found are old thick, guillotine blade which seem to be made of a very fine steel. Of course they have to be cut up and it is important to not heat them. I understand this type of steel cannot be easily re-tempered by the simple technology available to me. So I cut them carefully, cooling all the time, grind them to shape, equally carefully and mount in a handle. They are usually bound, more for good looks that practical purpose.
This set of knives has been very successful and I will apply them to more regular types of Netsuke carving in the future.
All of my knives are made from recycled steel. The best I have found are old thick, guillotine blade which seem to be made of a very fine steel. Of course they have to be cut up and it is important to not heat them. I understand this type of steel cannot be easily re-tempered by the simple technology available to me. So I cut them carefully, cooling all the time, grind them to shape, equally carefully and mount in a handle. They are usually bound, more for good looks that practical purpose.
This set of knives has been very successful and I will apply them to more regular types of Netsuke carving in the future.