Best Wood Carving Knives: (for Durability & Professional Use)

Published on: March 30, 2022
Written by Eric Devin / Fact-checked by David Rowan

Wood carving is the oldest form of creativity of human civilization. It is not mentioned this way as much but this form of art started far before cave painting.

Now, wood carving, or if I specify it as greenwood carving, is more complex than ever before due to the variety of different tools, knives, and other elements. I agree that all these different kinds of knives have made it a complex and costly form of creativity but the result of using different wood carving knives is mesmerizing.

Don’t panic about the variety of wood carving knives you see online. To begin wood carving, only a few are needed. On the other hand, for professionals, these knives may seem costly at first, but they last for ages if purchased carefully. 

wood carving knives

So, I am here to help you find a perfect wood carving knife based on your needs. For young or adults, for amateurs or professionals, you will find what you need in a small list of best quality wood carving knives of this year.

Because after these analysis you will be able to choose your wooden carving knife. Also discussed here is its quality, durability, and professional use.

Which Knives to Choose

The variety of woodworking knives available in the market is enough to leave one puzzled if he/she is not experienced enough. So, let us help you in this matter. Actually, you don’t need to be a specialist to begin wood carving at your home or workshop. Just follow out little tips so that you can be confident to purchase different knives as you master different skills of wood carving.

For Beginners

Are you a beginner? Or you want to present carving knives to someone to encourage wood carving? Nowadays, even for school-going children, wood carving knives are considered a great gift to unleash their inner creativity. In every way, spoon carving is the first stage of mastering wood carving. It helps to gain control over different knives on different types of woods.

Generally, crooked, Lloyd, and detail knives are used for this purpose. In our list, you will find these knives separately and as a kit as well. Choose one that you like. The general rule is, you get what you pay for.

For Professionals

If you are already a professional level wood curve, then there is nothing much you need to know from me. Professional level woodworking involves high-quality tools and a wide variety of those tools. The wise choice would be, purchase a variety of knives before starting a really large and complex project like a portrait or abstract model and so on. This way, you will make sure that the tools you are buying are really useful for your needs, these are not just ‘impulse buys’.

For Variety of Carving

For carving utensils, there are specific kinds of knives. For carving geometric patterns, those knives are useless. So, there is always a need for a variety of knives if you want to expand your creativity. As I mentioned earlier, be prepared by purchasing those knives before starting a new variety of carvings. At first, it may seem a costly habit, but in the long term, if you don’t ditch wood carving, this investment will surely pay off.

Our Recommended Wood Carving Knives

BeaverCraft S01 Wood Spoon Carving Knives Set

  • Includes hook knife, sloyd knife, chip carving knife;
  • 5 Easy steps to sharpen a hook knife.

Our first pick is a kit with five basic carving knives with other accessories. This pack is a good one for anyone who wants to begin or improve their wood carving skills. In this pack, you are getting a hook knife to carve concave shapes like the spoon, bowl, and similar utensils. Also, a sloyd knife and chip carving knives are included for finer details and perfect edges. 

Usually, these knives don’t get blunt easily. However, a polishing compound is also included to retain the sharpness whenever you feel necessary. I liked that all these elements are neatly packed in a pouch. You can carry these in your pocket and carve your spoons or other wood items on the go. 

Good side

  • Fits beginners as well as professional’s demands;
  • Wood carving set premium quality;
  • Comfortable grip;
  • Long-lasting sharpness.

Bad side

  • Nothing to mention.

BeaverCraft Wood Carving Left-Handed Hook Knife

  • For left-handed person;
  • HCS blade. 

This hook knife is made in Europe. Do I need to clarify further how durable and pro-quality the knife is? I don’t think so; the manufacturer of this carving knife is renowned for its professional-grade carving tools for ages. This one is a left-handed carving knife. You can also get a right-handed one, on the same page.

For its high carbon steel blade and unmatched fatigue-free handle, this knife is priced higher than other knives of this list. The price is quite reasonable if you consider purchasing one knife to carve out soft and hardwood materials. Mastering the skill of wood carving needs control over the blade and knowing the softness of the wood. This high-quality blade will make both easier to deal with. 

Good side

  • Suitable for both soft and hardwoods;
  • High-quality blade;
  • Suitable for long term holding. 

Bad side

  • Pricey. 

FLEXCUT Carving Specific Jackknife Style Tool with 4 Blades

  • Pocket knife includes 1 detail carving knife – 1 straight gouge – 1 V scorp and 1 gouge scorp; 
  • Length: 4-1/4 inch when closed. 

When you are away from home or a workshop, this pocket knife can accompany you and make sure that you can spend your leisure carving your favorite art pieces. It has four compulsory blades for carving needs. Let’s be honest, it can be used for spoon carving, but the result won’t be very satisfactory. Yet, you can carve spoons and bowls with this knife, it will need a lot of sanding afterward.

This pocket knife is neither too big, nor too small. It fits in the hand of any size nicely. All the blades lock in place while open and it makes this item safer to use. For long term use, you can use gloves, leather thumb pads, and so on for more comfort. For cheap and portable carving supplies, this one is one of the best of its kind.

Good side

  • Safe; 
  • Space-saving and handy;
  • Budget-friendly.

Bad side

  • Not good for spoon carving.

Wood Carving Basic Crooked Knife for Professional and Beginners By TPORT

  • Special high polyethylene fiber and elastic material;
  • Perfect hand wood carving tools;
  • Blade material carbon steel.

This one is a China-made budget hook knife for carving softwoods. There are a number of negative reviews about this hook knife. Yet, I decided to give it a try because of its money-back guarantee. Yes, I received it razor-sharp with no problem at all. The handle is made of oak and has a long body. The longer handle makes this knife comfortable to hold for a longer period.

This is a nice budget-friendly hook knife. If you are a beginner on a budget, then you must consider this for your very first wood carving projects. It is a single-edged and right-handed model of the hook knife. The blade is claimed to be high carbon steel, but I can’t guarantee that. But it holds its sharpness quite nicely.

Good side;

  • High hardness, high corrosion resistance, and no rust;
  • Long handle for comfort;
  • Cheap price. 

Bad side

  • None.

Clarke Brothers-Wood Carving Hook Knife with Leather Cover Sheath

  • Includes leather cover sheath;
  • Ashwood handle.

Have a weakness over brand name products? This knife from Clarke Brothers, not an ordinary name-less hook knife. It feels great to work with, looks great for the beautiful details on the handle, and not to mention, made with great quality. The high carbon blade retains its sharpness for ages. On the other hand, the ash wood handle has a flat shape, unlike other conventional hook knives. This unique shape of the handle provides more precision and control over every cut you make on the wood.

A leather cover is included in the package for the safety of yourself and the knife as well. This whole unit is backed by a long warranty. I find it surprising to offer a money-back guarantee and warranty for a piece of low-cost equipment, but it is true. For a professional-level wood carving, look no further than this knife and cover set from Clarke Brothers.

Good side

  • Backed by a long warranty;
  • Long lasting sharpness;

Bad side

  • Not found.

BeaverCraft Wood Carving Hook Knife

  • 7.8 inch length;
  • Slight crook on the blade for identical cuts. 

By the look of the knife, you can tell, anyone can be a wood carving pro with this. Unlike other crooked knives, this one has a blade with just a slight bend on top. This design allows more control over the cuts. You can practically cut the wood by stripping wood chips, not scooping out big chunks. It is not only suitable for making spoons and bowls, but also adding signature details on any wooden piece. 

This identical knife is from Braver Craft, which is a Europe-based manufacturer. After knowing this, I don’t think you will have any trouble with deciding upon this knife. It also comes with a leather sheath for added protection and longevity of the blade. However, the price is way too high for a beginner; it is more suitable for pro artists. 

Good side

  • Long handle;
  • Suitable for more unique cuts;
  • Suitable for detailing. 

Bad Side

  • Expensive. 

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WAYCOM-12pcs Wood Carving Tools Set

  • Includes hook knife, detail knife, sloyd knife with sheaths, polishing compound, leather strop, safety gloves, wood spoon blank, and a bamboo box. 

For a complete set of carving knives and safety gloves, this tool kit is a must-buy. With the three basic spoon carving knives, you will get sheaths for each knife. Not to mention the gloves, and other polishing accessories, and an aesthetic bamboo box to complement the whole kit.

As a starter, this tool kit is enough as it includes a wood blank for spoon carving with this set. For the nice box, this kit is also a great gift for hobbyists, who are planning on wood carving soon. The whole set will save you bucks from purchasing all these items separately. Besides, all the elements are backed by a lifetime warranty. So, if you are looking for a carving set as a present for loved ones, then this one is the ultimate set you were looking for. 

Good thing

  • Lifetime warranty;
  • Complete basic tool kit;
  • Cost effective. 

Bad thing

  • Nothing found. 

Morakniv Wood Carving 106 Knife

  • Blade Thickness: 0.08″ (2.0 mm);
  • Blade Length: 3.2″ (82 mm);
  • Length: 7.4″ (188 mm);
  • Weight: 2.0 oz. (58g).

Though we are talking about wood carving knives here, I decided to keep this multipurpose knife on this list. It is great to know that, in this tech-led age, some parents encourage their children to wood carve as their leisure activity. Keeping in mind that, this knife is brought to the market so that children can be more-crafty than ever before.

Ranging from woodworking, wilderness schooling, scout, or knife training, this knife is good for every course of your beloved child. This nice knife includes a plastic sheath as well. Considering the sharpness, starter kids must use a pair of safety gloves while using this knife. Besides, to maintain durability, the knife should be properly cleaned after every use. 

Good side

  • A durable laminated steel blade;
  • Oiled birchwood handle;
  • A small woodcarving knife with a thin.

Bad side

  • Must use safety gloves.

SCHAAF-Gouges and Chisels Full Size Wood Carving Tools Set

  • A set of a chisel, gauge, and Weiner knives of different varieties;
  • A canvas case included. 

First of all, these are not for beginner’s play. This set of chisel and gauge knives are inspected separately before packing if there is any asymmetry of chipping on the blade. Keep in mind that you have to sharpen this up to your preference before actually using these. For professionals, keeping their tools as sharp as they need is a prerequisite of making a great masterpiece. It does make sense because, you don’t need the same sharpness to carve soft and hardwood, right?

However, all the tools are backed by a satisfaction guarantee. The knives are neatly packed in a canvas roll-out pouch for ease of use and storage. An e-book completes the entire set that contains details about the instruction of using knives, how to sharpen those, and how to begin woodworking. All in all, if your current set of carving knives are not enough for chisel and gouge works, then your collection of carving knives is definitely missing this set. 

Good side

  • Useful instruction;
  • Suitable for professional detailing;
  • High-quality tools. 

Bad side

  • Need to be sharpened.

Allnice-5 in 1 Carving Set Wood Carving Tools Set

  • Includes a wood carving hook knife, a whittling knife, a chip carving detail knife, a leather strop, and a polishing compound;
  • The handle is made from Fraxinus spp wood;

You can never have ‘too many’ wood carving knives. Because with a specific knife, the design you want to create becomes easier and flawless. Yes, you can also use basic knives to carve out anything out of any pieces, but the results are not the same. 

If you add these four knives to your collection, your field of wood carving will not be stuck only in making spoons and bowls. The edge is made of 65 high manganese steel, ready to use, and there is no compelling reason to make it regular, it can be quite sharp during your wood carving cycle. 

You can literally create timeless masterpieces out of wood. All these blades have different knife lengths so that you can make larger and smaller details, or work on a large or small scale. These knives are good in both ways.

Good side

  • A great gift to meet the needs of beginners, amateurs, and professional woodcarvers.
  • Long-lasting sharpness.

Bad side

  • Not to mention.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Kind of Knife is Useful for Cutting Wood?

Treated steel does not hold as long as carbon steel and coated steel, it costs less and does not require as much support. Carbon steel cutting edges. The sharp edge of the shaved blade is best known. They keep a sharp edge with cash honors, which is ideal for working with hardwood.

Is Cutting Wood a Problem?

While this may seem daunting after you initially start investigating it, woodcutting doesn’t unnecessarily bother you in the event that you’re interested in getting acquainted with different devices and methods. Any new hobby requires endurance, practice, and perseverance. Woodcutting is similar.

What Is the Difference Between Whittling and Carving?

Whittling and carving expressions are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are different expressions. Carving uses a hammer with or without a hammer, yard, and frequent use of hardware-type machines. Whittling, though, involves the use of only one blade.

Conclusion

Now you know which wood carving knife you need. The price usually does not drastically change for the same knives, but if you buy a tool kit or several kinds of knives together, then you have to pay less for each one of those. These pieces last forever, so take your time before investing in one.

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About This Writer

author eric devin

Hi, I am Eric Devin and I am a professional interior architect. Since childhood, I've always enjoyed DIY projects! And, I have loved to solve simple household problems using essential tools and equipment. I have also acquired a lot of information about basic household tools settings by working with contractors.

Hi, I am Eric Devin and I am a professional interior architect. Since childhood, I've always enjoyed DIY projects! And, I have loved to solve simple household problems using essential tools and equipment. I have also acquired a lot of information about basic household tools settings by working with contractors.

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