Page 48 - Blade (February 2020)

WOODCARVERS |

The Flexcut double-beveled knife is probably the most
The Flexcut double-beveled knife is probably the most
versatile in the company’s Sloyd Collection. It allows you
versatile in the company’ s Sloyd Collection. It allows you
to work either right- or left-handed cuts, as well as away
to work either right- or left-handed cuts, as well as away
while
or
toward
you,
from or toward you, while bracing and blocking the cutbracing and blocking the cut
from
for control and safety
for control and safety. .

Following a lot of power stropping, the
you
can
of
has
art
an
Casstrom
that
The
to
The Casstrom that you can use to make works of art has an curved chisel from the Rough Rider Set was
works
make
use
“art-worthy” appearance of its own because of its classy curly
“art-worthy” appearance of its own because of its classy curly the author’s favorite profi le. After it was all
birch handle. The traditional barrel design, though simple,barrel design, though simple,
birch handle. The traditional polished up, he was surprised at how well
provides a good deal of control.
provides a good deal of control. it cut.
and there are no hot spots. Steel is 1095
carbon, so you can get the tools razor sharp
and keep them that way for a while. Th e
grinds are high enough to make the tools
thin cutters while still having suffi cient
thickness to prevent rolling and chipping.
The Sloyd Collection provides a

variety of different carving profi les, and

only you can decide which ones you
need. Undeniably, however, the straight
Sloyd knife is the anchor of the group.
Flexcut features a number of profiles on its hook knives. This is the
Flexcut features a number of profi les on its hook knives. This is the Everything else branches out from it. It
author
indicated
The
model.
variable-radius
-point,
s
company’s spear-point, variable-radius model. The author indicated is worth getting a good set of slip water
company’
spear
across
the
the broader radius is a bit easier to use. It works well across and
broader
and
radius
use.
bit
to
easier
It
is
well
works
a
yet
still
allows
grain,
with the grain, yet still allows you to make small cuts. Here the knifeyou to make small cuts. Here the knife stones to help sharpen the hook knife
with
the

tackles tough, varying grain.
tackles tough, varying grain. profiles. Otherwise, you can make strops

using different-sized wooden dowels
covered in leather and impregnated with
polishing compound.
Flexcut went with proven designs
and made them well. Pick a couple of
the profiles or get them all. They will
bring you hours of carving pleasure.
Do be careful, though; the shorter hook
knives come to a point, so invest in a
good carry system.
DEEPEN YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Carving can be loads of fun. There are so
48 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020