about a month ago I also bought a similar set from the manufacturer, it sort of cuts, but I didn't like it, I finished it on a stone with 2000 grain and on leather. I cut beech with these knives, I liked it)))
Hi James,I would love these please. I’ a 69 yr old on a very limited budget in UK . And carving,chip work I do to date has to be done with normal chisels and my pocket knife 😂 I admit with some success but these would surely improve the standard of my work. Thank for the offer whether I am successful or not. Just in case name/address follows. Ian Rothwell, 21, Park Road, Camberley Surrey GU15 2SP. Thanks again, Ian
I have one of their long hook knives and it's just not solid enough for hardwood. It skips and rattles. On soft wood it's pretty decent and for a long-handled hook knife I think the price is really good. I've restore a mora hook knife, though and I gotta say I won't be coming back to the BC one that often except for roughing work where the long handle is really... Eh... Handy.
I would like to win this give-a-way as I am interested in getting into carving. I also just love to cut-up! (snicker, snicker) I know that you love good dad jokes.
Kinda sucky how easily you lost the points on those couple knives so quickly, even though they are a very thin and fine point. As to what `to do with them? How about checking their hardness and then maybe trying to do a re-harden on them to see if you can get a harder, more durable edge.
I have 2 carving knives and a gouge from Beavercraft. The steel is good and they work great for me. The only real problem is that whatever finish they used on the handles stinks, and it rubs off onto your hands. Edit: 4 actually, I forgot about the spoon carving knife :)
I just got the flexcut 3 carving knife starter set last week. The handles are red oak and it seems like they used waterbased poly on the handles and didn't sand after the grain had raised. Spent about an hour sanding off the poly and use BLO and paste wax. Much more comfortable now.
@@HandlebarWorkshops yeah, I need to sand all mine down and get some BLO on there, I just havent done it cuz I haven't done any woodworking in over a year.
@@WoodByWrightHowTo It doesn't have build-up exactly. Its just the stink of the oil they used comes off onto your hands, not the finish itself, sorry, I should have been more clear.
I also bought mine like 2 years ago, so maybe they switched their oil, or something, idk xD I still didn't mind using them, it isn't the worst thing ever, but I definitely noticed it. I also haven't experienced any bending of tips or any other problems with the blades themselves. I didn't carve any oak tho!
You mention buying the the bare blade and making a handle that we like. The problem there is that, as a beginner, I don't know what I like yet. Is there a place/website for carving knife handle templates that we can make and try?
One quick and dirty way to try differently shaped handles is to squish-form a gob of polyester resin in a plastic bag. A quart kit is really cheap at discount auto parts stores and it keeps well for many years. Embed a hollow cylinder in the goop then use wooden wedges or plaster of Paris to temporarily fix the blade into the handle. Another temporary handle material is cheap modeling clay. Mold it at room temperature then refrigerate it before trying it out.
Do you have a favorite kitchen knife you always use when paring apples or similar cutting tasks? Use that handle as a template, then cut the wood for the handle halves slightly larger than you think you want. You can then shape it with a rasp make it a comfortable once you've put the handle on.
as to the shape just make it large and then slowly take off what you do not like. it is kind of one of those personal things that there is no form for. everyone likes something different.
I have one set of beaver craft knives that or actually doing really well and I got another set that were supposed to be Beaver craft but are really cheap and have the same handles
the fact that they sell the blades separate is a plus, one then can buy the them and make form fitted handles, and maybe try to re heat and temper the edge, bending with out snapping off sounds a little like , not hardened enough might improve the sharpness and strength issue of the edge
I have had Beavercraft carving knives for a few months now, and they have done me well. I have much smaller hands than you but I still also find the point on the end of the handle bothersome. I plan on sanding it done to a more rounded end and see how that feels. I feel like the flat handles need a slightly different contour also, been thinking about maybe an indentation for a finger grip. Overall, I agree with your assessment, they are good knives for learning. Great video, thanks!
I have a BeaverCraft chip carving knife, and it's nice for me as a beginner. I'm not a big fan of the handle, though, so I've been considering getting one of their blanks and making my own. Looking forward to your video about making a handle, that would probably help a lot. :)
You place them in the same cathegory as Flexcut I believe you said, because of the handle shape or overall quality? I was under the impression that Flexcut is in the upper segment - at least when it comes to number of knife types for chipcarving and maybe price? Could you rate the following brands (as far as your experience goes) on what brand that give you «the most bang for your buck»? Two Cherries/Kirschen, Pfeil, Schaaf, Flexcut, Hirsch, Stubai, Auriou. Single carving tool or sets.
Flex cut in my book is solidly in the upper beginner level tool. but quality and desirability are very much in the eyes of the user. my list of best to worst would be... Pfeil Two Cherries Hirsch Flex Cut Beaver Craft I have not used Stubai Auriou chisel for carving chisels always but individually unless you are buying for a class. Buy what you need for the project.
One of the things I like about your reviews is that you don't let the high-end products be the only thing that is good enough to use. You candidly admit they are not as good and explain why they are not as good as a higher-quality knife, as well as let us know that they are good enough for the beginner/novice. Thanks for a terrific review!
I have only carved once. I enjoyed it, but need much more practice. Enjoy your videos and always appreciate your positivity. Looking forward to watching many more videos and learning something new each time!
I bought their spoon carving knives and quickly found out I wanted to do spoon carving as a hobby and very quickly realized I wanted some different knives. My opinion of the knives, at least, is that the quality is such that it left me frustrated as a beginner, the tools weren't good enough to do even basic work.
Thanks for this review, I live in an apartment, so hand tools an smaller projects is the way to go. If I don't win this chip carving set, I'll need to purchase a set to try this form of woodcraft.
An inexpensive carving set is a good way to see if you are interested in the hobby. Use them for while, learn to sharpen them, learn to strop, nd when you learn the fundamentals, that's the time to replace them with a better tool! I would definitely learn to chip carve with them!
Thank you for the tool reviews on beginners tools. I am thinking of starting some carving for fun. The beavers in your area must be impressive metal workers. 😀
Affordable is always the way to go away first! Go for higher end stuff when you wear it out or find that the actual tool is limiting your craft. Is this the sort of thing a nice London pattern handle would work well with?
Chip carving isn't something I am familiar with but would be keen to see a video of how it is done and what can be done with it. Thanks for the video and keep up the great work.
I would look into hardening them also. I have used some that had the blades hardened and they held their edges better. Like you, I tend to prefer a longer handle also. By the way, I drove a new DeLorian, when I bought my TR-7. It was a nice car, but a little underpowered.
Good timing, thanks, James! I just started carving - first celtic knot this week! I've wondered about these knives and it's good to have an expert opinion. Looking to make a love spoon for the wife for Christmas.
I have had a curved gouge from Beavercraft for about a year, and am very pleased with it for carving cups and bowls, have just received a knife blade and other tools from them, I will be interested to see you put the handle on yours. Great show, look forward to the next one always. Steve
Thanks for doing the review, I inherited a couple of carving knives. They had been sitting in a basement for years, were rusty and pitted. I cleaned them up and sharpened them. I make sure to always wear safety glasses in case one snaps especially given the weakness. Since I do not do a lot of chip carving I might look into these. It would only be a hobby as chip carved pieces here sell for very low prices (detailed coasters sell for about $12)
Thanks! I never carved wood before but after seeing some of the stuff you make like the workbench i feel like this is something id like doing. Thanks for the tips 👍
I bought their spoon carving gouge for ocarina making and it's just about the sharpest blade I've ever seen from the factory. It's carved walnut, pine, and cherry like butter, and I'm just now getting to where I need to strop it after almost a solid hour of use.
am loving my drawknife from Beavercraft! It's a small detail-work joint, Good stuff and sharp out of the box. Gonna keep checking out some carving tools
Honestly, this type of thing sounds like it would be great for me. I have been woodworking for about a decade, but have never done any carving. It always seemed like there were so many different carving tool options, I get overwhelmed by the choice & go back to things I know better.
