Drawknife preferences: curved blade vs straight blade

[Patches]

I have a straight blade that has been OK but I found a better quality curved blade, just not sure if I actually need it.   Is it a personnel preference, or is there even any difference between using the two differnet types of blades?

[cracker]

Hi Patches you can put me down for straight blade had a curved one just didn't care for it. Ron

[Pat B]

I learned on a straigh blade so I'm most comfortable with it. I have used a curved blade with good results too. I think it is a personal preference and whatever works best for you.

[Will H]

I'm a straight blade guy as well. I like mine dull 2 I really only use my drawknife for chasing rings anymore. I've tried a couple curved knives and found it a bit harder to use, especially for chasing rings

[JW_Halverson]

Curved and bloody wicked sharp!

[LivingElemental]

I do ALL my shaping and smoothing with a drawknife, so I use a semi-curved blade, kinda dull in the middle and crazy sharp on the edges, so I can pick and choose how much wood to remove with the same amount of effort.

[Badger]

  I prefer the straight as I use the draw knife all the way through floor tillering to shaping the bow, but I have tried the curved knife and it seemed to work better than my straight one on a yew bow I was working on one time so I plan to include one in my tool box at some point.

[sadiejane]

have used numerous drawknives over the years.
for bowmaking and other tasks.
for bowmaking i have two i keep in the toolbag
both have 8" blades,
both are shaving sharp.
to be honest i really think i like the curved best
but i use the straight one all the time now.
not because it works better, but because it was my grandpas....

[osage outlaw]

I use both.  Here lately I've been using the curved blade more. 

[Bryce]

i have both but i use the curves blade more. the straight one i dulled down a lot and use to remove bark

[Pappy]

Straight bald ,and not to sharp for chasing rings,and straight blade razor sharp for removing bark. Got several curved but never use them.
   Pappy

[JW_Halverson]

I just can't imagine making bows without one, frankly.  What a wonderful tool, straight-curved, sharp, or dull!

[Onebowonder]

I buy most of my bow making tools from junk dealers or yard sales, so my antique draw knives are staight but not so sharp.  Not that I wouldn't like one that was sharp, but I'm ussually not wanting to take the time to sharpen it when I am ready to use it! 

...but I was in the fine hardwoods store one time and I ventured over to thier tools display.  I found, (and secretly bought without proper budgetting approval!  Don't tell Mrs.), a flexible draw knife.  It's sharp as heck and kind of small, but that actual blade is flexible and the handles are straight out to the sides instead of curved back.  It was with a bunch of tools used by wood carvers.  I've yet to have a chance to try it out yet, but I intend to do so this weekend or at MOJAM next week.  We'll see...

[Patches]

I will be at MOJAM next week too and would definitely like to see that flex blade draw knife.  Thanks for all ther replies!  Now I just need to make a decision (my mind is pretty made up already...a feller can't have too many wood working tools!) 

[PaulN/KS]

I like the big curved ones for rough work like de-barking and cleaning up a stave. I have some straight ones that are medium sized and handy for shaping as well as one of those small Swedish steel carving drawknives. That one is very handy for chasing a ring on tight ringed wood and light shaping work.