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Wood carving is an ancient art that is still highly sought after to this day. While most of the wood carving has been automated using CNC machines, a human touch can breathe life into a raw piece of wood. Honing the art of wood carving requires years of practice and determination. However, another thing that is equally important for making precise wood carvings is a good quality wood carving knife.
You can’t just use any blade to start cutting wood and expect good results. Carving knives are specially designed to provide control over each cut, and they are purpose-built to fulfill a carver’s needs. So if you are serious about taking on wood carving as a hobby or even a career, then you have to invest in a good wood carving knife.
With that said, there are simply too many wood carving knives that claim to offer the best cut and control. It can be difficult for an average person to find the best carving knife due to the sheer number of options available in the market.
So, if you are looking for the best wood carving knife, then keep reading this article. We are going to list down our picks for the best wood carving blades to simplify your search for a whittling knife.
Before we list down our picks for the top wood carving knife, it is essential for you to understand what things you should consider when picking a carving tool. These considerations may be obvious for expert carvers; however, most beginners aren’t familiar with these considerations. So without further ado, here are the key considerations when buying a carving tool:
Grip: Grip is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a wood carving knife. That is because you will be working on a piece of wood for hours at a time when carving it. So it is essential to pick a knife with a comfortable grip to make sure your hands don’t get tired while holding the knife.
In general, most high-quality carving knives come with wooden handles as they provide the best grip. So you should definitely look for wooden handles and ergonomic grip when picking a carving knife.
Blade: Wood is a hard material, and it requires a good quality and sharp blade to cut and carve it. In addition to the toughness, the blade should also be easily sharpenable. So the ideal blade is going to be made from hardened steel, and it will have a short yet sharp edge.
The pointiness of the blade also matters a lot for adding minute details to the carvings. So you should also look for pointiness in the blade when buying a carving knife.
Now that you know what to look for when buying a wood carving knife, it is time to list down the options for the best wood carving knives. The product suggestions are listed in no specific order below:
Beaver Craft is a reputed brand when it comes to carving knives, and their Sloyd Knife C4 is a great beginner-friendly option for carvers. This knife is affordable and offers the versatility in cutting that every carver looks for. You can easily sharpen the Sloyd Knife up thanks to its carbon steel blade.
So if you buy this carving knife, you get a durable blade that can be sharpened with ease. Its handle might not be the most ergonomic, but it gets the job done for most users.
Specifications
Blade length: 3.14″
Overall length: 7.87″
The material used: Carbon steel
Weight: 0.32 ounces
Pros
Cons
If you are looking for an all-in-one carving knife kit, then the Old Timer 24OT Folding Whittling Knife is a great option for you. This knife comes with six folding blades that offer unmatched versatility for every carving scenario. This knife is one of the more travel-friendly options, as you can carry all the different types of blades you may need for carving in a single package.
The blades of this knife are made from high-carbon steel, adding durability and reliability to this knife set. In addition, you can get this knife at a fraction of the cost of most carving knife sets, making it a solid addition to your list.
Specifications
Blade length: 1.5″
Overall length: 6″
The material used: Carbon steel
Weight: 3.9 ounces
Pros
Cons
The Flexcut Carvin’ Jack is a similar knife set to our previous entry. However, this carving knife is available in both left-handed and right-handed versions making it a great fit for everyone. Flexcut is known for its premium knives, and this one is no exception. It carries a serious price tag; however, the quality and durability it offers are also higher than the competition.
With six blades, each designed for its own specific carving purpose, this knife is ideal for more experienced carvers.
Specifications
Blade length: 4.25″
Overall length: 10.3″
The material used: High carbon steel
Weight: 3.5 ounces
Pros
Cons
Japanese knives are known for their authenticity and simplicity, and the Kiridashi is Japan’s take on carving knives. This knife comes with both a handle less version and a handled version. While handles are important for proper grip when it comes to carving knives, this knife provides a decent grip even without a handle.
Apart from durability and sharpness, this knife has eye-catching patterns that are signature of Japanese knives. 
Specifications
Overall length: 7.3″
The material used: Carbon steel
Weight: 1.76 ounces
Pros
Cons
Lastly, we have another entry from Flexcut called the Whittlin Jack, and this one is a two-blade folding knife. One blade is meant for roughing, and the other is for detailing, making this knife a simple yet complete carving tool.
Not to mention this blade is backed by the reputation of Flexcut, so you can rest assured that you are getting a solid knife. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, this knife can serve carvers with any level of experience.
Specifications
Blade length: 1-½” & 2″
Overall length: 5.9″
The material used: Carbon steel
Weight: 3 ounces
Pros
Cons
Picking the right knife as a carver can enhance your carving experience and make the task easier. If you are struggling to find a knife that suits your needs, then this guide should serve as a solution to your problems.
We have added all types of carving knives to this guide, from single-blade knives to multi-blade sets. So no matter what your preference is when it comes to wood carving knives, you can find a good fit through this article.
Video Credit: Chris Hardy
Author: Aleks Nemtcev | Connect with me on LinkedIn
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