Top 6 wood carving knife list to buy on Amazon
This is my top 6 Amazon whittling knife list and I am going to share with you reviews on each of these wood carving knives. Hope you’ll find here some nice knives for whittling.
Our winner for best whittling knife
Need a quick pick? BeaverCraft Wood Carving Sloyd Knife C4 is our choice #1.
Here’s why:
- Well-designed and razor sharp blade
- Cuts through hardwood and softwood
- Egronomic oak handle
- The best price on the market
- Flexcut Roughing Knife KN14
- This knife is great for the beginning of your project, it has a long blade for cutting off large chunks of wood. It’s not for any kind of detailed work, though.
- $24.19
- Morakniv 164 Hook Knife
- This knife is very durable, the blade is sharp and stays sharp for a long time. The handle is comfortable, but a bit oversized.
- $25.99
- BeaverCraft Wood Carving Sloyd Knife C4
- Really sharp blade, with a comfortable handle. The cutting edge stays sharp for a long time, and the price is very good. Although, it’s not the most durable knife.
- $14.99
- FLEXCUT Whittlin' Jack
- Handy 2 in 1 knife - carving and detail knife with a folding mechanism, so you can carry it around with you. The folding mechanism isn’t the greatest though, and the knife is quite expensive.
- $52.00
- BeaverCraft Cutting Knife C2
- This knife is perfect for the beginners and a recommended part of the toolkit for every wood carving enthusiast. The cutting edge is of great quality, and the price is more than satisfactory. The only thing this knife cannot do is carving in tiny details.
- Price not available
- Morakniv Wood Carving 122 Knife
- Good quality knife, with a decent tip control, sharp blade, and comfortable handle. It is expensive enough, but it should last very long.
- Price not available
- BeaverCraft S15 Whittling Wood Carving Kit
- Great 3 in 1 set of knives for whittling and chip carving. Well equipped for beginners, with a tools pouch and a basic stropping set.
- $35.99
Ever since I started my journey with wood carving, I have been trying out different whittling knives and toolkits. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to find good reviews on wood carving knives. Many websites recommend brands such as Opinel, OldTimer 6-blade, and Xacto knife for wood carving, but neither of those knives isn’t actually designed as a knife for wood carving. That’s why I decided to do reviews of the best whittling knives myself. Lately, I am using BeaverCraft carving tools, so this brand has helped me set some standards in search of the best wood carving knife. Here I’ll be looking at the best whittling knives in particular, but if you want to know what knives set and kits I’m using, you can check my other article: Top 7 Best Wood Carving Beginner Kits Reviews and Buying Guide. I also did the reviews on 5 Best Spoon Carving Tools and Best Chip Carving Knives, if you are interested in special chip and spoon carvers. When you are buying the knife for carving wood, it’s important to pay attention not to buy knives from some Chinese companies such as Dugato and Bewishome, as their blades are often of poor quality and they break easily.
In this article, I am looking at what is the best whittling knife on Amazon and reviewing what my experience with these knives was like. The main aspects I’ll be covering are
- The cutting edge of the blade – if it can cut through softwood or make micro detailed cuts
- The sharpness and the thickness of the blade, and the quality of its material
- If the knife is handy to use and it feels comfortable in my hand
- How long it lasts, if it is a versatile blade, and if there is a guarantee of the quality by the manufacturer
- The price of the knife – if it is affordable and if the price is proportional to the quality of the knife, overall
- Other features the knife has such as the package, and if it is pretty as a gift for a wood carving lover
Flexcut Roughing Knife KN14 – Great for the Beginning of your Project
Unlike Flexcut whittling knife and Flexcut whittlin’ jack, this roughing knife presents a longer, straighter blade, with a round point. You might think this is a somewhat unusual addition considering shapes and sizes of the knives on this list, but I have come to realize this is a good wood carving knife.
What I like about this knife
This blade is made of high carbon steel, and it proved that it can really hold an edge. With this knife, I can enjoy relief carving for hours.
The advantage of the longer blade and the rounded tip is that I can remove wood quickly, and without much flex.
This knife also presents a very comfortable grip, the handle is smaller, so it’s handy for different gripping styles. I also like the weight of it – very light and comfy.
What’s not its strongest side
In my opinion, the handle could have been a bit more burnished and flattened, but it’s still comfortable enough. The knife is good for removing large amounts of the material, but that’s mostly it – you can’t do any detailed work with it, really. For this, it’s best to look for a smaller blade size.
- Long blade for removing a lot of wood
- Strong and sharp steel
- Easy-grip handle
- Not practical for detailed work
To Sum Up
This is, all things considered, a good wood whittling knife for rough work. One of those is needed in my toolkit, with other types of wood carving knives. It’s good to use it when you’re starting your project, to shape things up quickly, and then move on to a smaller knife. It’s also affordable, for a wood carving knife on Amazon, it costs around $14.90. Flexcut knives are usually a good investment.
Morakniv Wood Carving 106 Knife – Sharp Laminated Steel Blade
This Swedish manufacturer is ranked well on the wood carving lists, and they produce many different types of blades. From my experience, there are two knives that I consider to be the best of Morakniv for carving – 106 and 122.
What I like about this knife
This is objectively a very nice knife, with 3.2 inches of a laminated steel blade, that turned out to last for a very long time. Morakniv wood carving tools also come with a limited lifetime warranty by the manufacturer, which is a plus.
This is a small wood carving knife, very light and easy to use. The blade is sharp and stays sharp for a long time.
It is handy for the big cuts, but also not bad with precision cuts.
The handle is made of oiled birch wood, so it was easy to form it according to my grip.
What’s not its strongest side
The handle is a bit bigger than with most knives I’m used to, bigger than most knives. Also, smaller handles are easier to maneuver, at least in my case.
- Very sharp blade
- Durable knife
- Quality handle material
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Oversized handle
To Sum Up
I would say this is one of the best wood carving knives for beginners because the blade is so sharp that you can try out different cuts easily and find your style. It’s good for the experienced crew too, but you might have to get used to it first.
BeaverCraft Wood Carving Sloyd Knife C4 – Whittling Knife for Beginners
This is a good example of the knife that is designed specifically for wood carving, whittling, roughing wood out, and green woodworking. The rounded part of the blade is great for making curved cuts through the softwood (learn more about types of wood for carving on my friend’s website – Knifeguides.com) , while the pointed tip of the knife works well for delicate wood slicing, and the thin blade lets you work on the details.
What I like about this knife
The blade of the Sloyd knife is a high-carbon steel blade, it is firm and very sharp. The blade material is sharpened to a fine point, which makes it pretty good for fine detail carving, and it will make your work easier, especially if you are a beginner. The cutting edge is sharp enough to cut through softwood, and make the cuts very smooth, but this blade can also cut quite nicely through hardwoods such as oak or walnut.
I also like the handle – as most BeaverCraft knives, this handle will fit in your hand, but it is small enough to ease your work. The shape is quite handy and there will be no hand fatigue.
The price is an upside to this knife, as with the other knives from this set – you can buy whittling knife C4 for a much cheaper price than usual, especially if you come across the wood carving tools for sale in their online shop.
What’s not its strongest side
This carving-specific knife isn’t the most durable knife. It can be susceptible to rust and nicks if not treated properly, and the blade might dull quicker than you are used to. Although considering the price, it is somewhat expected for this knife not to last till the end of time.
- Firm blade
- Sharp cutting edge
- Great handle
- Great price
- Not the most durable
- Blade pronto rust
To Sum Up
This is a very affordable knife, with a decent, sharp blade, that you can experiment and do good work with. The handle is not making my hand tired after a long time, so I can use it as longas I feel like. Alongside other wood carving knife blades, it makes a good attribution to my personal toolkit.
FLEXCUT Whittlin’ Jack
Now, this is a very handy knife to have. It’s essentially a whittling pocket knife that I like to carry along for outdoor carving. Whittling Jack has two knives in one package, and it’s fairly small and doesn’t weigh much. Although it’s a good deal, it has challenges of its own. Let’s see what are the pros and cons I noticed over time.
What I like about this knife
Carving jack includes two knives: a roughing knife and a detailed knife, so I can bring it with me for any type of whittling. Both blades are made of high-quality carbon steel and can be pretty sharp.
The fact that I can keep it folded also makes it safer for keeping and carrying, which is a plus.
The handle is unexpectedly comfortable for this type of knife, and I have pretty good control over the tip and the cutting edge.
What’s not its strongest side
The blades won’t close on you while you work, but that’s why it’s sometimes difficult to open or close them completely.
This is also a quite expensive knife – the most expensive one on this list, and you could easily buy two types of BeaverCraft knives, for example, for much less.
- Firm blade
- Sharp cutting edge
- Great handle
- Great price
- Blades don’t lock
- Difficult to open and close
To Sum Up
Even though it’s made for whittling and carving, this knife always reminds me of general-purpose knives. It’s a great 2 in 1 knife, overall, and I’m happy to be using it, although the next generation might offer a better folding mechanism to justify the price. For now, this is probably the best pocket knife for whittling wood.
BeaverCraft Cutting Knife C2 – My go-to choice for a wood-carving knife
When I first ordered this wood cutting knife, I counted on really good quality – and I was not disappointed. Besides that BeaverCraft has been my frequent choice of manufacturers for a while, this knife also had many good reviews on both Amazon and BeaverCraft website.
This is a whittling knife, designed for fine wood carving, although its blade seems to be pretty thick. The blade style of the knife is important, as less thick blades are allowing the knife to slide through to wood easier.
What I like about this knife
This knife is designed specifically for wood carving, and it is very easy to use among the whittling knives for beginners. It is, overall, a good whittling knife, that you can use for fine cutting and green woodworking. It has a thick pointed tip, handy for delicate cutting.
The blade is made of high-carbon steel, it is very firm and thick. The blade is polished, and once it’s sharpened, it stays sharp for a very long time. This steel blade is of a high-quality among the carbon steel blades, it is one of its advantages among the other knives I am using.
The cutting edge of the BeaverCraft whittling knife is very sharp, which makes it easy when I cut through softwood. It is also useful as a detail knife.
The wood of the handle is also of very good quality – it is made of the hardwood oak and processed with natural linseed oil. Most of all, I love the way it feels in my hands – the shape of the handle is comfortable for both men and women, and I can use it for a long time without it becoming weary.
BeaverCraft wood carving knife is very cheap for the quality it provides. The usual price for this type of knife is around $20, but you can buy this handy knife for only $12.95. It is useful for experts, but it is the best whittling knife for beginners.
What’s not its strongest side
The blade is thicker than I’d like, which makes it harder for detailed wood carving. If you are looking for a knife that you can do the micro detailed artistic carving, this wood carving knife is probably not the greatest choice.
Another thing that comes to mind is that it doesn’t come to you properly sharpened, but that is the case with most knives I order, so it’s not too much of a downside, compared to everything I can do with this knife.
- Good-quality blade
- Sharp cutting edge
- Comfortable handle
- Good price
- Thick blade
To Sum Up
All things considered, BeaverCraft wood carving tools are of good quality and needed in my toolkit. I would certainly recommend this wood carving knife for beginners because it is easy to handle and the shape is really nice to hold in hand. The only thing that is challenging with this knife is smooth, detailed work, where the thickness of the blade can make a difference. For professionals, it would be best to combine it with a special detailed knife, and you have yourself a fair toolkit. The price is also a great upside – this knife is super cheap for what it is.
Morakniv Wood Carving 122 Knife – Precision Whittling Knife
Aside from Morakniv 106, this is the second knife by this manufacturer that I find useful in my toolkit. This one also comes with a limited lifetime warranty, as these Swedish blades are very durable and made from stainless steel.
What I like about this knife
This is a small knife designed for whittling. It has a thin, tapered blade made of laminated steel. This steel has a hard core and a softer alloyed layer around it. It is very sharp and stays sharp for a long time, so I don’t have to sharpen it every now and again.
The handle is also comfortable, and it is easy to form it according to my grip.
The 122 is a precision knife, and experienced whittlers can notice the difference between this knife and 120 or 106. The straight blade offers more versatility than the other two, and I can just make a variety of different cuts.
I also like that this knife and its blade-style give me a good tip control.
What’s not its strongest side
This is an expensive knife, and the quality sometimes doesn’t meet the expectations. In the series of these knives for whittling, some might be bent or with a damaged cutting edge, and the trip of it to Europe and back can be a little frustrating.
- Sharp cutting edge
- Comfortable handle
- Durable knife
- Great price
- Expensive
To Sum Up
This small wood carving knife is extremely sharp and good for precision work. It is expensive, but it is supposed to last longer than most knives.
BeaverCraft S15 Whittling Wood Carving Kit
With three excellent whittling tools in one set, this whittling set is all you need to start experimenting on basic and medium complex carving projects. Except from the fact that it includes some of the best carving knives from BeaverCraft, the kit also includes a tool roll for storing your knives and a leather strop with the green honing compound.
What I like about this set
Every woodworking knife in this BeaverCraft wood whittling tools set is designed with an ergonomic handle and a carving blade that is presharpened to a razor-sharp level. There are three different wood widdling tools included in this set: a basic whittling knife that is handy for beginner whittling projects; a roughing knife whose wood carving blades craftsmen use when beginning whittling projects; and a chip carving knife for carving details and textures on your project.
This is an excellent whittling set for beginners, for those who are discovering their passion for whittling and wood carving. These carved knives are of guaranteed quality so you will be able to use them for a long time, not just in your first projects. Each of the knives included in this whittling knife set can be used as a whittling knife for kids, because of the compact design and size of the handle.
What’s not its strongest side
These whittling knife sets are designed to include whittling tools for beginners, but they also include multiple knives with other perks which you might not need for your first project straight away. If you are yet to decide whether you want to continue exploring this new hobby, you can simply start whittling with a pocket knife, and in that case a beginner pocket knife could be a better, less expensive option for you, rather than investing in the best wood carving knife set from the very beginning.
- Includes three woodcarving knives with different blades for a variety of projects.
- Handles are ergonomic and comfortable to hold for a long period of time.
- Includes a tools pouch, leather strop and a honing compound.
- Great for beginners.
- The blades are sensitive for sharpening.
To Sum Up
When we compare BeaverCraft knives from this set with the other carving knives reviews on our list, the main difference between them and Mora basic wood carving knife or Mora whittling knife is the quality and comfort of the handle. This set stands out with the ease it provides when you use any knife carving style. The only case in which we wouldn’t recommend this toolkit is if you are only learning about what is whittling wood, and you are unsure whether you will continue to carve more projects in the future or not.
Final Thoughts
- BeaverCraft C4 is at the top of my list of great knives that I use, and it is one of the most affordable ones, so there will be no mistake with this choice.
- If you need asset of excellent knives, and you have some money saved-up, go for the whole BeaverCraft S15 kit. I am very satisfied with these knives, and the kit is quite a good deal.
- When it comes to whittling knives, the most important thing to look for is the sharpness and durability of the blade. But, don’t forget to choose ergonomic handle for your comfort.
Now, when I compare my favorite knives, qualities, price, and blade styles, it’s not easy to decide what I consider the best wood carving knife. There just isn’t one that is excellent all around. I must say that I always prefer to have two knives as wood carving tools near me – one for the rough work, with a higher length of the blade, and one for a more fine detail carving.
My personal best whittling knife for 2021 is BeaverCraft Cutting Knife C2, as the quality is very good, and I can do a lot with it. Meanwhile, it’s not very expensive, and I know what I’m getting for that price. The fact that I can buy whittling knives for sale, and for a smaller price, means that I can buy more different blade types for one set of knives, instead of spending a lot for only one knife. Having this in mind, C2 is the best knife for wood carving for me.
Jeff Richardson Editor
Passionate about wood carving since high school. Always been able to relax while carving. 7 years ago, I decided to dedicate my whole time to wood carving; this is when I started my blog. I am a fan of DIY, fitness, and crafts. Also, I love to spend time with my friends, carving something out of wood. I hope you enjoy my articles.
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Briannem
16.03.2020 #1 AuthorYou’ve gotten probably the greatest websites about web carving, keep on going with patterns in a gallery.
Jeff
21.03.2020 #2 AuthorThank you!
Daniel
16.02.2021 #3 AuthorI have not really done whittling before and I would like to start. Which type of knife is best for whittling, fixed blade or traditional slipjoint?
Louis
26.02.2021 #4 AuthorThe knives of choice by experienced whittlers are usually either fixed blades or the thinner traditional slipjoint blades which typically do not require sharpening as often due
Bob
17.03.2021 #5 AuthorI typically carve caricatures out of 1-inch or 1.5-inch square basswood, but I want to use knives that help me create a more finished product. Which knives do you recommend and what length?
Thomas
22.03.2021 #6 AuthorWe recommend several different knives. The best knife to choose is the one you feel comfortable with, which could be determined by the length and weight of the blades. For starters, a #3 or #4 size blade with a standard 6-inch wooden handle will do just fine for small projects
Don
12.04.2021 #7 AuthorI bought the Flexcut detail knife but I find it too stiff. What should I look for when buying a knife specifically for detail work?
I understand the need for a stiff knife but what I’m looking for is one that’s easy to control when doing fine cuts. Something that can take very small, deliberate strokes would be ideal. My current knife seems to have too much resistance from where the blade meets the handle and it makes finer work quite difficult without losing control of direction.
Clayton
24.04.2021 #8 AuthorDon, I’d suggest getting a knife with a blade length of about 1″ or so. Also, look for one that has some flex (as in it will bend under light pressure) and not too much though. A stiff knife is the same thing as trying to cut with a straight razor: extremely
Teodoro
07.06.2021 #9 AuthorI just purchased a whittling knife from Mora and I’m practicing it. Any tips or advice other than not slicing the blade towards myself?
Alvin
22.06.2021 #10 AuthorI would say to cut away from your body. That’s the most common mistake a beginner will make. They’ll hold it towards them and then slice down, which causes the knife to jump out of their hands or even cut them on their fingers.
Aaron
28.06.2021 #11 AuthorI need knives for shaping and detailing. I found some cool kits on the Japanese market. Can you recommend any for cutting bait knives at a good price?
Steven
06.07.2021 #12 AuthorFirst off, I would like to say Japanese knives are indeed very good. However, they are not the cheapest in Japan. If you want cheap knives, try China or India. What’s more important is that you should choose a high-quality knife with a shape and size that suits your needs best
Albert Bush
17.07.2021 #13 AuthorI’m looking for a cheap and easy to use whittling knife. I don’t need anything fancy – just casual use around the campfires would suffice.
Brombon
03.08.2021 #14 AuthorI’m a hobbyist and I don’t do much whittling, but I do enjoy it when there is nothing better to do. I’ve used an Opinel #12 (you know the one: wooden handle, triangular blade) for years, until it got worn out; probably because it’s extra-sharp.