Small carving knife blades

[stuckinthemud]

Anyone able to recommend somewhere I can buy small knife blades to haft in my own handles? This is for whittling.

 

[paulm]

Reciprocating saw blades and chunkier band saw blades are good for making your own small carving knives, easy enough to do and quite satisfying

 

[loftyhermes]

The only ones that spring to mind are from Beaverçraft.

 

[--Tom--]

Adam ashworth has in stock options

https://www.ashandiron.co.uk/category/just-blades

Nic Westerman makes really well regarded carving blades but has a backlog I think

https://nicwestermann.co.uk/

Or if you want specific shapes I could make something in a weekend (or two if using something like 52100 that takes a bit of thermo cycling to get the HT how I like it)

 

[Jacob]

Re cycle old cutlery?

 

[Sideways]

https://www.kniv-per.com/l/-en/Knife-making ?

 

[chriscook]

Bushcraft Store

 

[--Tom--]

Or seeing as you’re in Caerphilly - head to Cardiff for a day and you can make your own

 

[stuckinthemud]

Mmm, try to avoid the big smoke at all costs. Do have one of these . Would it do the job?

 

[--Tom--]

You could make something with it - I tried something similar maybe 15 years ago and it was pretty terrible

Could you draw a pic of the style/size you’re after?

 

[MikeB1972]

Beavercraft probably have the best cheap selection, but most knife stores (Heinnie Haynes, Springfield etc) sell knife blanks as well.

 

[Vulcan]

O1 Tool Steel is easy to work in its supplied state and not difficult to harden and temper. Available in a large range of sizes. Google Ground Flat Stock or Gauge Plate.

 

[peterw3035]

You could make something with it - I tried something similar maybe 15 years ago and it was pretty terrible

Could you draw a pic of the style/size you’re after?

Hi Tom, PM sent

 

[stuckinthemud]

Thanks for everyone’s input, apologies for letting the thread drift for a while. My little carving group wandered out of whittling and into bench work - nice but unexpected - and the urgent need for whittling knives faded away but nonetheless I am grateful for all the above. Andrew

 

[BentonTool]

I have made several carving knives out of worn-out / discarded horse "hoof knives" (below) that have been sharpened / ground-down past their curves.

If you are fortunate, you can find them for sale cheap (or free) at tag sales, or, perhaps you have a farrier in your circle of friends?

If anyone is interested, I will post a few pics of them.

Even new, they are often cheaper than a carving knife, and are made of good steel. You can grind and sharpen the blade and handle to suite your needs.

I also bought worn-out fishing industry processing knives while in Maine (USA). They were too short to use at the factory any longer, but make great utility / carving knives (assuming you can get past the PLASTIC handles! ).

Addendum: This one is only $8 US (Note- I cannot attest to the quality).
https://www.amazon.com/Weaver-Leather-Double-Wooden-Handle/dp/B005JERBWC/ref=sr_1_6?crid=VBI1REDDMY9Y&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Opz-D6Tt9KonAVAgfV-XOOMrhtzKcrhtO8puxbSZXaUZm64siBh4iS_q3f8FQCCb9KEVnNBzxyc0-WXQSSAix5JDwuEBBOxiuk5Cn5qZuTX2spdkNmxctfxcorxbd74xvsotZILBYvDH9uqm2mXMwBTl5HXHbx-nMa83xu7kd4MBvXqspktMY8_zHwlSHYA-Q3-xzwB_H2mNlBwvqH2SNnnwVKql2r9krr0J00v3T9G8STF7XZ7hucoSq4ePcQE3352VqehrviGxJYRsgR9GscKFcXqqJd0yx5l_11GSHWq35ATWSFNXh2x7rt2FOVsXsmydfeQxCR0m_QAOBYovhzYqHUedXyiBqmxs70KF54Q3G3-IDVNeHW8nMkIzSs6kpk_AWAqkwxoaALj9A8lkQOgLIPCALOi0q8RBI571OltQpQWQtGVTZeSoC3j7aYvM.bMJIxtT3a-JECUHtmahfNeHhP5sAqODnaTpbKZpV1Q8&dib_tag=se&keywords=Professional+Hoof+Knife+double+edge&qid=1737997788&sprefix=professional+hoof+knife+double+edge,aps,137&sr=8-6