Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Paul F on April 18, 2013, 02:15:38 am
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I have been reading up and looking about for a good Drawknife. I have seen a few and am leaning twards the one from 3 River's. I have seen both with the "knobs" and the long handles. Is there a prefered version, or is it just a personal preference? Thank you very much for your answeres in advance.
Paul F.
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It's personal preference
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Both of mine have the longer handles. I've never tried one with knobs but I don't think I would like them.
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I like to keep three different kinds on hand to switch up when working all day on staves makes it easier on my hands,,the main thing is what feels good to you
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Handles, eh, what feels good....
STEEL, now that's IMPORTANT. Check to see where it was made. If made in China... not so good.
Go to estate sales, barn sales, ebay, look for a good edge, secure handles and personally, I prefer a slightly curved blade. Straight blades seem to 'catch' when I use them. Also, look for a blade that has a good bevel because it will be much easier to sharpen on your stone.
The best one I have is one that I 'borrowed' from my dad about 25 years ago (and he got it at a garage sale - perfect curve and great steel ).
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I have picked up a hundred at flea markets over the years,,i think the best one I ever got was a green lee,,very nice steel
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Both mine have long handles... one is Boker steel from Germany, and the other is from Austria. Both excellent.
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Cool will keep that in mind. Thank you all very much for the reply's. Think I will keep looking around for one with the long handles as I think that would fit my large meat hook's the best.
Paul F.
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I have spent many an hour with a drawknife and I absolutely prefer the long handles. Where they are most handy is when you are doing rough work, you can pry at wood to help split it off. You don't want to do that for fine work, but in the hacking stage, it works good. I also have more control with the longer handles and angle control is everything with a drawknife.
I have one, forget the brand that is a folder. The handles are on locking joints held by a sort of wing screw. It helps to protect the blade when folded. On good vintage drawknives, you should be able to see where the steel blade is laminated on to the iron frame. If you see one, you can tell because the steel will usually be a darker color than the iron. Don't waste your time buying one that has all of its steel used up (same for axes and hatchets). I use a single bevel hatchet (broad hatchet) in the early stages, draw knife in the middle and a spoke shave to finish up. Sometimes I use a 1" hand plane too for fine work. I do little sanding and only at the very end.
Good luck - old tools are great! (usually)
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Will keep and eye out and thank you very much for the info.
Paul F.
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I recently bought a drawknife on ebay for 9$. I sharpened the blade and she was as good as new! You might check there before spending big bucks on a new one!
I personaly prefer the long handles, but that is a matter of preference.
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So the more I look into these the more confused I have become. Does the length of the blade make a huge deal? I am seeing them from 5" to 9". Go for the mid with a 6-7". I am truly sorry for all the questions, I just don't want to get something that I am going to end up regretting. Thank you very much again for all of your reply's
Paul F.
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I am kind of eyeballing this one? Any feedback from someone that know's these pretty well?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Greenlee-Reliance-Six-Inch-Draw-Knife-Sharpened-ready-use-/200916601289?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D15054%26meid%3D7057993144588870172%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1125%26rk%3D2%26sd%3D221215618765%26
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That looks like a nice draw knife. The blade on minebis 8 and 1/2 inchs long I think 6 inchs will work but i myself would prefer a little longer
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Looks good, my first draw knife I bought at an antique store for 45. Its a 9" and i use it for aggresive cutting, for fine cutting I use a flexcut, you can get them from any online woodworking tool place.
Knapper
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Thank you very much again.
Paul F.
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My drawknife is an amazing 12" in length. Yes, the blade itself is one foot long! With handles even longer. I don't know any better, but I've come to like this length. It allows me to make very long diagonal strokes. I really shave off a curl, instead of chopping off chunks. The handle length is somewhat intermediate. Not a short knob, nor very long. They're like pear shaped and maybe 3" long or so. I think I would prefer long handles over short handles, as it would allow me to control the angle of the blade better.
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Paul - that one on E-bay looks great. You can see in one of the pictures it has a great deal of steel left. The length is good enough too. The only real advantage to a longer blade is that on some particularly hard woods holding the drawknife an an angle (the lateral angle - not verticle angle) allows you to sort of slice the wood along the length of the blade, but this is not real necessary as you can do the same thing in a fixed position.
I think that is a winner. The quality of the steel is far, far more important than anything else. Also, be sure to sharpen it only with a hone - you can shape it with power tools if necessary, but I find a medium whetstone to be the best way to keep one sharp - just like any knife or plane.
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A longer blade prevents knuckle scuffing that is inevitably going to happen.
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I like the longer handles. Less wear and tear on your hands. A slightly curved blade allows for more finessing IMO. My personal knife has a slightly curved 9" blade and "teardrop or pear shaped" handles. It was my grandpa's. I was lucky enough to grab it when I was a young boy, when he passed away. I thought it was cool. If you saw it, you'd think it was only a few years old. He took care of his tools. So do I. I come from old school master carpenter/cabinetmakers who took pride in their craft.
Dark Soul - Yours sounds like a log peeler's knife
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Thank you all for your reply's. I put a bid in on it, so we'll see how it goes. I have been looking for a longer one as well, but this one keep's catching my eye lol. I'll let you know how it goes....and HOW IT FEEL'S.
Paul F.