Draw knife usage

[Ipassgas]

I got myself in over my head, but that's good, because stretching makes me a better person.

I was trying to come up with some child friendly projects to get the family involved in. Started well, had some good ideas.

DD asked to make a bow. Sure, we can do that! I figured I'm looking at 3-4 hours, it'll be great. After I committed, the internet says figure 25 hours.

And I need a draw knife. I don't have a draw knife. I've never used one.

Besides practicing with scrap 2x4 before ruining the stave I ordered, and suggestions on how to actually use the tool?

Thank you

 

[jimreed2160]

A drawknife is easier to use if you have a shave horse (bench) because you use it to present the workpiece well. You would hold the end of the bow with the deadman and put the other end on your apron shrouded belly. Then it is easy to draw the knife towards you. Instead of a shavehorse, you could use the edge of your workbench. Instead of a workbench, you could use two sawhorses placed end to end with the bow clamped to the horses.

Using the knife is pretty easy but your idea of practice is a good one. I would pick up a couple of inexpensive 2x4s and practice on them. Try to find some clear wood that does not have knots. Twists and wane are ok but knots are bad for your control and bad for the drawknife. Running into a large one can put a nick in your blade.

Use long fluid strokes with the bevel up. Learn how to adjust the angle of the cut by raising and lowering the angle of the knife. Good luck.

 

[wayne55]

You can find a lot of used draw knives on ebay very reasonable if you skip the ones that are collector's items. I bought mine on ebay for $22. Watch a video on youtube and then just start playing with it on some scrap wood held in a vise. You can make a lot of wood shavings in a hurry.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Also try to skew the blade slightly for a smoother chatter free cut, just like when hand planing.

 

[Ipassgas]

Thank you guys.

I'll make a thread when it's done.

 

[Gotcha640]

I would think a spokeshave would be more appropriate.

 

[Zeke]

I would think a spokeshave would be more appropriate.

Well at least as a finishing tool. Draw knives are about as easy to use as an adze.

 

[Nor'Easter]

Barr and Sorby are good brands. Barr is made in Idaho, Sorby the UK.

12-14" is small log size. Look for a smaller piece with a 4-6" working width.

Agree w/ the above that you will want a spokeshave for finer detailing.

If this is the only hand tool you'll own, a simple diamond stone will be sufficient to keep up the edge. If you plan on acquiring more edge tool, the sky is the limit. Do not go near your bench grinder.

 

[Matt Lau]

Get a good used drawknife. The steel then was pretty good. I think that only Barr is a decent modern maker. Sorby is a bit soft.

Bob Smalser has a great webpage on them.
http://contrib1.wkfinetools.com/bSmalser/drKnife/drKnife1.asp

I'd recommend also getting a nice spokeshave with your drawknife, and a scraper too:
coarse (drawknife) > medium/fine (spokeshave) > fine (cabinet scraper).

 

[Nor'Easter]

Get a good used drawknife. The steel then was pretty good. I think that only Barr is a decent modern maker. Sorby is a bit soft.

Bob Smalser has a great webpage on them.
http://contrib1.wkfinetools.com/bSmalser/drKnife/drKnife1.asp

I'd recommend also getting a nice spokeshave with your drawknife, and a scraper too:
coarse (drawknife) > medium/fine (spokeshave) > fine (cabinet scraper).

There are many manufacturers making very high quality knives, I sell them every day. They aren't cheap though, which is what everyone wants.

If you can tell the difference between Barr and Sorby, it's either your day job or you're standing in front of a hardness tester.