Replies

1. 
   mwenz | Oct 08, 2006 06:53pm | #1

   Ah, an adjustable handle knife.

   Having used them for everything from making rustic chairs to roughing out curved parts of table legs, to peeling logs for a log home, I obviously find them useful! BU/BD. Some I put a slight radius on the bevel to get into even tighter furniture curves.

   I think at last count I have maybe 6 left, of various lengths.

   Take care, Mike

2. 
   jazzdogg | Oct 08, 2006 08:49pm | #2

   I have a few drawknives that I use more frequently than I thought I would before I bought them. I initially got them for green-wood chair making, but have found lots of other uses for them.

   My personal preference is for drawknives with blades that have a cutting edge about 8" or 9" long (although I also have a carver's drawknife with a 4" blade that comes in handy at times); blades that are much longer force me to spread my hands too far apart, which makes me feel like I have less control over the tool. For optimal control, I like to keep my elbows at about the same width as my torso when using a drawknife.

   Do you have a preference for bevel-up or bevel-down? I seem to be among the few people I know who prefer to use a drawknife bevel-down most of the time.

    

   -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

   
   

   ---

   Edited 10/8/2006 2:54 pm by jazzdogg

1. 
   mufti | Oct 08, 2006 09:33pm | #3

              I agree, bevel down feels like more control when shaping but bevel up allows a good stab into the work if needed. Because the sole is hollow ground, and as Mike mentions the bevel curves according to your preference, I believe these tools are undervalued in their versatility.

   I havn't yet made a shavehorse but I have other ways of holding stock and so far have not even nicked myself with these blades. The one pictured cost me £15 which I considered a fair price for a good tool.

   Do turners scrape a living?

   Best wishes, David   

1. 
   mwenz | Oct 09, 2006 12:31am | #4

   Hi David,

   On the UK Workshop Forum, there was a thread in May of 2005 I vaguely remembered.

   In particular is Alf's post near the end. She has a link to a shaving Pony. As well, there are other good links and info in the posts of that thread. She built one as well, but I cannot find it on her web site nor on the forum with a quick look.

   http://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5120

   Take care, Mikeback to work I go...

1. 
   mufti | Oct 09, 2006 01:06pm | #5

             Mike, thank you for that link, I cannot believe I ate my breakfast looking at the site except we now have a marmalade sticky mouse! My time on line will have to be rationed.

   Cheers, David

1. 
   mwenz | Oct 09, 2006 06:57pm | #8

   You're welcome, David.

   I think <g>...Mike

2. 
   ukalf | Oct 09, 2006 06:51pm | #6

   Mike, it's not anywhere 'cos it's ugly as sin... Does work though. I'll try this attachment thing; fingers crossed.Cheers, Alf

   
1. 
   mwenz | Oct 09, 2006 06:56pm | #7

   Ah Alf, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

   I think the pony is a cool solution, especially for someone like me that is, shall I say, space challenged...

   Thanks for the picture. Take care, Mike

2. 
   mufti | Oct 09, 2006 08:48pm | #9

               Thats nice, I might copy it as soon as I get my internet sorted (I've migrated to a.n. other) and it's playing up. Do you shave every day Alf?

   Sorry

3. 
   ukalf | Oct 09, 2006 08:56pm | #10

   No, I wax. ;)

3. 
   Gnome | Oct 22, 2006 02:02pm | #11

   I really like drawknives. I use them mostly bevel down. I have 8 ranging in size from 14 to six inches. Last week I went on a rust hunt and found 3 for $8 each. Two of them are by Witherby and the third is by G.Raby whom I've never heard of. Now I just need time to clean and sharpen them.