Chip carving is a type of wood carving that demands focus on tiny details. Whether you’re crafting a rosette or any other chip carving project, it’s crucial to pay close attention to each small cut and be patient. This is when you realize the importance of having razor-sharp tools. Over time, you’ll notice the difference between knives that maintain their sharpness and those that don’t. My friend Chris always used to say, “No matter what you’re carving, make sure you have a super sharp knife.” We decided to write an article about five chip carving knives we managed to get our hands on. Hopefully, our discoveries will assist you on your journey.
Image Name Current Price BeaverCraft Chip Carving Knife C2 Flexcut Chip Carving Knife BeaverCraft C8 - Small Cutting Knife Flexcut Chip Carving Knife Set BeaverCraft S15 - Chip Carving Knives Set
1. BeaverCraft Best Chip Carving Knife C2
Let’s start by talking about BeaverCraft. They’re located in Ukraine, which is in Eastern Europe. They produce high-quality tools at a reasonable price. While they’ve grown rapidly, sometimes there are quality issues, but they address them with excellent customer service. The knife has a comfortable handle. What we observed after carving for several hours is this: Firstly, the knife maintains its sharpness; it stayed razor sharp after 25 hours of use. Secondly, it feels very comfortable to hold.
HANDLE
Chris has mild arthritis, so he typically pauses carving to rest for a while. However, with the chip carving knife from BeaverCraft, he found he needed fewer breaks than usual. I think it’s because of the handle.
BLADE
The blade is securely fixed to the handle, which is crafted from Ashwood and coated with natural linseed oil. When the knife first arrives, it may have a slight chemical smell from the manufacturing process, but this typically dissipates within a day or two.
AFTER PURCHASE
This beginner chip carving knife is delivered promptly, and the customer service team is quick to respond to any questions you may have. However, you may not have many questions because after purchasing, they provide you with three eBooks on proper use. If you do have any questions about chip carving, feel free to contact me via Facebook or Twitter. I’ve been carving since 2009 and enjoy communicating with others. We even have a blog where we connect with people from around the world.
OVERALL
When you consider factors such as the handle shape, the quality, and the reasonable price, you’ll find that this chip carving knife is worth giving a try. I’ve been using this knife for a few years now and haven’t encountered any issues with it so far.
2. Flexcut Chip Carving Knife
Flexcut has been in the market for quite some time and is renowned for its high quality. However, it comes with a relatively high price tag. In other words, it’s more of a next-level tool in wood carving rather than a beginner’s choice.
Their KN15 model is a handy knife for chip carving. This wood carving knife comes ready to use and doesn’t require additional sharpening right from the start. The blade is razor-sharp, allowing for smooth cutting into the wood. You can even try working with oak using this knife. The blade’s shape facilitates easy removal of large chips.
HANDLE
The handle is large and comfortable, designed for prolonged use. However, there is limited information available about this knife for potential buyers. A friend of mine from San Francisco attempted to return the knife on Amazon but was unsuccessful. There was no means of contacting the seller.
OVERALL
The blade is sharp and the handle has a comfortable shape. This beginner chip carving knife is durable and performs well. It’s versatile, easy to maintain, and can be kept razor-sharp. However, we encountered some issues with the return policy and product description on Amazon. Additionally, it’s not very affordable for beginners at the moment.
3. BeaverCraft C8 – Small Cutting Knife
It seems to be a sharp knife with a small, narrow blade ideal for detailed wood carving. Its fine, sharp point allows for working on intricate details of wood carving projects. It arrives fully ready for use. If it dulls over time, the knife can be sharpened and will easily regain its initial razor-sharp state.
HANDLE
The handle is compact and comfortable, crafted from oak, providing a nice and smooth feel in the hand. Additionally, the handle enables working on the intricate details of chip carving projects for extended periods without fatigue. The grip is excellent. Personally, I adore this chip carving knife; it’s my favorite. It’s compact and clever, if you can describe it that way.
OVERALL
With its fine edge and narrow blade, this is the ideal wood carving knife for tackling small details and finishing touches in wood carving projects. While this knife is tailored for specific tasks and isn’t suitable for rough carving or other types of cuts, it serves its unique purpose and can’t be substituted with a larger knife. The price is reasonable, and shipping is fast.
We decided to add a few chip carving kits as well. So you’d have an option to get all you need for chip carving at once.
4. Flexcut Chip Carving Knife Set
This best beginner wood carving kit includes everything you need. It features three knives: a standard chip carving knife, a smaller chip carving knife, a skew knife, and a bar of polishing compound.
BLADE
The blades come sharp and are ready to use straight from the box. Having two knives in the kit offers versatility for working on both large and small details. The inclusion of the skew knife is beneficial for chip carving, as it enables vertical cuts. All the knives cut smoothly, and the handles are comfortable. Plus, they can be easily sharpened to restore their initial sharpness.
OVERALL
This beginner wood carving kit is great for starting chip carving. The knives are sharp, and the handles are comfortable to use. The kit comes with three knives and a polishing compound, but it does not include a strop. The price is high, which may lead beginners to seek out a more affordable option.
5. BeaverCraft S15 – Chip Carving Knives Set
This is indeed the top beginner wood carving kit, featuring three knives. Together, they form a perfect team for a wide range of carver’s cuts. The sharp bench knife is ideal for making large cuts on larger surfaces. The chip carving knife, with its small blade, is perfect for creating stop cuts. And the small cutting knife is great for making smooth, delicate cuts without needing to apply much pressure.
BEST CHIP CARVING KNIVES POUCH
A fantastic addition to the set is a leather strop with a polishing compound. Having stropping supplies enables you to maintain your knives whenever you feel they need it. The handy carrying case helps organize the tools and keep them in excellent condition for many years. It’s truly unusual for sellers to include additional items in the kit.
OVERALL
This versatile set is perfect for chip carving and includes the best whittling knives. It’s undoubtedly the top beginner wood carving kit, containing all the essentials, including a strop, polishing compound, and even a tool pouch. The knives are razor-sharp and ready for carving as soon as you open the box. The seller provides instructions on proper use and even sends tutorials to help you get started.
CHIP CARVING PROJECTS YOU CAN DO
Swirl Carving Project
Wolf Carving Project
Trivet Carving Project
CONCLUSION
We’ve tested various chip carving knives, and we trust our discoveries will assist you on your carving journey. Remember to research the seller and the tools before making a purchase. Additionally, we’ll be exploring more chip carving tools soon. Furthermore, we’re planning to write an article on chip carving projects in the near future. Stay tuned for updates!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is chip carving?
Chip carving is a form of wood carving that involves using knives to meticulously remove small chips of wood from a flat wooden surface, focusing on intricate details.
2. What is chip carving knife?
A chip carving knife is a type of knife with a narrow, small blade specifically crafted for removing small chips from wood.
3. What is the best wood for chip carving?
If you’re just beginning to carve wood, it’s strongly advised to start with softer woods like basswood for easier carving. Additionally, even at later stages, soft woods are recommended for chip carving.
4. What are the best chip carving knives?
We’ve chosen to write an article on five chip carving knives that we’ve had the opportunity to test.
- BeaverCraft Best Chip Carving Knife C2
- Flexcut Chip Carving Knife
- BeaverCraft C8 – Small Cutting Knife
- Flexcut Chip Carving Knife Set
- BeaverCraft S15 – Chip Carving Knives Set
We hope our insights will guide you on your carving journey.
5. How do you start chip carving?
To begin, acquire a chip carving knife, a piece of wood (preferably a wooden plank), consider obtaining a chip carving pattern, and watch a few tutorials on YouTube.
