Even if you are new to wood carving, you have certainly heard about Flexcut. This relatively young brand is among the pioneers in the quality of the tools we use in our work every day, and it doesn’t really need a special introduction. Flexcut has many popular carving tools that come in handy for various project types, so in this article, I am going to write a Flexcut carving tools review for knives, Flexcut chisels, and accessories this brand has developed.
- Flexcut Tool KN500, 3-Piece Knife Starter Set
- Sharp-set with a compound for basic, beginner projects such as classic spoon and bowl carving.
- $51.95
- Flexcut Beginner Palm & Knife Set
- Great set for newbies who like making deep cuts and complex two-dimension designs.
- $67.95
- FLEXCUT Carving Tools, Deluxe Palm Gouges
- A full set of gauges for complex professional 2d carving and palm carving projects.
- $143.95
- Flexcut Micro Tool Set
- A set of gouges and chisels with thin and short blades for fine detail carving of caricatures and portraits.
- $105.93
- FLEXCUT 5 inch Draw Knife (KN16)
- Great for beginning any project with a freshly chopped natural wooden block.
- $46.95
- Flexcut Right-Handed Carvin Jack, Folding Multi-Tool for Woodcarving
- Great for ad-hoc palm-size travel projects such as animal carving and caricatures. Also handy for practical use.
- $144.99
If you are putting together your ideal Flexcut carving set, I hope my reviews can help you choose the tools of your own preference, based on the projects you plan to execute.
In this post, I will review Flexcut carving tools and discuss which projects are best to do with each set. If you are interested only in whittling knives from this manufacturer, you can check out my other article Flexcut Whittling Knife Review.
- Flexcut Slipstrop
- Great strop for sharpening Flexcut chisels and gouges.
- $18.77
- Flexcut PW14 Knife Strop
- A piece of leather strop for sharpening short blades.
- $18.49
- FLEXCUT PWS10 Standard Power Strop
- Rotating stropping tool for sharpening straight blades. Fast and efficient.
- $30.31
- FLEXCUT Gold Polishing Compound
- One of the best honing and polishing compounds on the market.
- $15.69
- Flexcut Knife Roll, with Four Pockets, 3.4 Oz (KN00)
- Not the greatest knife roll. Cheap material that does not support the knives very well.
- $15.22
When it comes to other brands, I’ve also been working with Morakniv and BeaverCraft tools, and I have shared my experiences with them as well. You can take a look at these two articles on my blog – Morakniv knives for wood, and BeaverCraft Wood Carving Tools Review.
How I reviewed the carving performance of Flexcut knives
As you probably already know, if this is not your first time on my blog, I enjoy carving projects that can take hours to be done with care and detail. Thus, what matters a lot to me when it comes to any carving tool, is the comfort of the handles. Ergonomic handles are essential if you wish to enjoy carving for a long period of time, and you don’t want blisters on your palms afterward.
The second thing I consider is the quality of the blade. Blade fractures can be very dangerous, and because of safety reasons, above all, I need to know if the blade is made of high-carbon steel and how it responds to different wood types. Flexcut, in this sense, has a good reputation and Flexcut knives are not prone to fracture, in general.
Regarding the blade, I also consider the shape and size of each one. A Flexcut knife and a Flexcut gouge from the same collection can be of completely different qualities. It is also important if the blade can be sharpened to a razor-sharp level and if it holds an edge for long. Aside from the size of the blade, I consider the overall size of the knife as well. The knife size will influence the kind of projects you can do with it, so this is very important.
When it comes to reviewing any Flexcut carving set, of course, it is relevant to consider which tools are included in each set and what you can do with that set only. If a collection of tools includes accessories such as a leather sheath or a case, I really appreciate that. It is good to have a bag or a box to store your tools when you are not using them.
Flexcut Tool KN500, 3-Piece Knife Starter Set – Complete set for the basic carving projects
This is a beginner toolset, and it is really basic. It includes a cutting knife, detail knife, and a roughing knife, so it is a fairly nice set to get the founding projects done.
Projects that you can do with this Flexcut starter kit are essentially simple projects, without too many tricks. I would recommend starting with something round and easy, such as spoon carving and bowls. The detail knife can help you with some special effects and precise cuts.
All of these knives can be used by both right-handed and left-handed craftsmen. With the tools, you will also get a “Flexcut gold” compound for sharpening and polishing the blade.
- Razor-sharp blades straight out of the box.
- Super comfortable handles for both left-handed and right-handed folks.
- Three knives come with a sharpening compound.
- Good for beginner projects, but not for anything more demanding than that.
To Sum Up
In case you were wondering if this is the Flexcut best set for beginners, it is most likely so. These three knives plus a sharpening tool are a good combo for those who are still learning the art and craft of wood carving. When it comes to more demanding projects, you would need some additional Flexcut gouges and chisels to achieve great results.
Flexcut Beginner Palm & Knife Set – Perfect for engraving complex 2d patterns into wood
This is a more sophisticated beginner set and it is more recommended for those who enjoy engraving and carving patterns into the wood. Besides the two knives – cutting and detail knives, there are two gauges that make beautiful 2d carvings possible.
A sweep gauge and a Flexcut v tool chisel enable you to do projects such as “drawing” a mandala into the wood, and they are very easy to use. Of course, the cutting and detail knives are an essential and valuable addition to every Flexcut starter knife set.
Some of the more demanding projects could also be achieved with this set because the blades are sharp on both sides and the bevel is not an obstacle when you cut through the wood.
- Flexcut palm gouges are great for cutting deep curves into the wood.
- The blades are angled on both sides and it is easy to cut through.
- The set is great for small-size 2d art projects.
- The compound or sharpening stone needs to be bought separately.
- 3d projects are more difficult to execute because there are no spoon carving or roughing knives in this toolset.
To Sum Up
These Flexcut palm tools are a nice start for someone who is excited to try engraving and detail carving in two dimensions. The gauge and chisel enable more complicated projects such as figure carving, but some additional tools need to be purchased separately for good results.
FLEXCUT Carving Tools, Deluxe Palm Gouges – A full set of palm tools for professional carvers
This set is special for many reasons. First of all, it is the upgraded set that contains a total of 9 palm tools, each in different cutting surface size, for a wide spectrum of sophisticated cuts.
The basic set contains 4 tools, but this one is “Deluxe” among the Flexcut gouge kits. The steel is impeccable and very durable, while the handles are made of ash hardwood and are as comfortable as palm tool handles can be.
This set is a great addition to your workshop if you are a professional carver and need this variety of gauges and V-tools. The projects that can be done with only this toolset, though, are challenging 2d carvings and reliefs that vary in depth of the cuts, and require skills and great precision.
- Super sharp blades, sharpened outside the bevels as well.
- 9 Flexcut hand tools for various complex two-dimension projects.
- A good addition to any workshop.
- A wooden case for storage comes with the tools.
- This Flexcut palm set is very expensive, and it contains some gauges an average wood carver would simply not use in most of the projects.
To Sum Up
Even if these Flexcut palm carving tools represent excellent quality, I wouldn’t recommend them for a woodcarver that doesn’t carve professionally, and extremely complex projects. If you wish to perfect your palm carving techniques, with this set you will have your whole appetite covered.
Flexcut Micro Tool Set – A set of small blades for the finest details for every project
If you love detail carving, and enjoy working on caricatures, animals, beautiful engravings or portraits, this set is for you. This is a Flexcut gouge set that includes six tools with large handles and small, thin blades perfect for full control over the tiniest details in your carving project.
The variety this kit offers includes a Flexcut chisel and a skew, one shallow and one deep U-tool, and two V-tools (145 degree and 190 degree). The handles are super comfortable and big enough to help you control your approach when carving sensitive lines in your project.
So, as I said, it is handy for “every project”, if you are the kind of carver who likes big fancy finish lines. Chip carvers will find this toolset very useful as well.
- A great toolset for detail carving.
- Comfortable handle and a thin small blade, for full control.
- Great set of different gouges and chisels for the finest finish lines.
- These small blades are always more difficult to sharpen, and the same effect can be achieved with a normal size knife unless you are a professional artist.
To Sum Up
So, if you love working on the tiniest little details of your projects and pay attention to every line, this set will not disappoint. These Flexcut micro carving tools are easy to use due to the big comfortable handles where the blade is positioned right and you can practice perfection in your carving.
FLEXCUT 5 inch Draw Knife (KN16) – Cuts right through any wooden block
This is a medium-size Flexcut drawknife, 5 inches long in total, with two big handles that you can strongly grip and focus on the blade. If you are the kind of outdoorsy person who enjoys experimenting with natural wooden blocks instead of purchased ones, this is a great knife to choose.
The blade itself is flexible and it is very easy to slide it back and forth even with hardwood. You can even start shaping the wood with this knife and use it to round up the surface of your wood.
The handles are really comfy, I love how they are designed differently than any other I’ve seen before, but when I hold them, there is the perfect spot for my palms and I am in full control over the cuts.
A special addition to this product is a leather sheath, very soft and durable, and very much needed when you have a razor-sharp draw knife laying around.
- A sharpened blade that cuts through softwood and hardwood.
- Ergonomic handles for full control over the blade edge.
- Flexible blade to adapt to the project needs.
- It comes with a leather sheath for protection.
- It is very expensive for a medium-size draw knife, even with the leather sheath.
To Sum Up
This Flexcut draw knife had to find its place in my Flexcut carving tools review, as it is a valuable asset to any project you plan on starting. Its only flaw, in my opinion, is that it is overpriced for a draw knife. Other than that, it cuts right through anything you want.
Flexcut Right-Handed Carvin’ Jack, Folding Multi-Tool for Woodcarving – Great for ad-hoc palm-size travel projects
When it comes to wood carving, as a hobby, I personally don’t like using multi-purpose tools. I rather enjoy having a whole set of tools in my workshop and taking care of each of my knives properly. That being said, I still think both Flexcut carving jack and Flexcut whittlin jack are good carving knives for when you travel or go camping and you only need to bring one tool.
This tool has six blades in total: a carving knife, a chisel, a hook knife, V-tool, a gouge scorp, and a straight gouge. Considering everything you get from this tool, no wonder the price is rather high. The blades are of great quality, this goes without saying when it comes to Flexcut, and the mechanism of this USA knife is solid.
When I would purchase separate knives, I would choose gouges and chisels of different sizes, for sure. And the handle of a jack knife cannot be nearly as comfortable as a regular knife. But, for a travel knife, this is an excellent choice and it works well when making small carving such as spoons or palm-size animals.
This Flexcut carvin jack right hand also comes with the sharpening strop and the compound that these six edges of the blades can be treated is the Flexcut Gold polishing compound that is also included in the price.
- Six edged blades included in one tool.
- Good for traveling and outdoor projects.
- Comes with a stropping compound and a strop.
- This is a carving jack that is not comfortable for longer use and cannot replace an actual carving tool set.
To Sum Up
When it comes to carving and whittling jacks, this is a good knife, overall. It has a good selection of blades and you can do some really nice projects with it. Although, I would never replace an actual carving set such as Flexcut 3 knife starter set with a Flexcut carvin jack.
Flexcut accessories
Flexcut Slipstrop
When I first read the positive reviews about this product, I was quite a skeptic. But now I have to write a positive Flexcut slipstrop review myself. If you frequently use gouges and chisels in your carving projects, you need to get yourself one of these. Flexcut slipstrop is designed in such a way to really make the sharpening of those curved edges easy, and I can actually achieve a razor-sharp level that I couldn’t with the leather strop I have made myself. It is available at a really solid price as well and comes with an ounce of the compound.
Flexcut PW14 Knife Strop
Great quality leather is the key to super-sharp blades. However, it is also very relevant if the size of the strop works for your knives and how you can use it. When it comes to this Flexcut knife strop, the quality is all right, but the size is a bit confusing – it is not too wide so you can sharpen the short blades, and it is extended so you have a wider surface for longer use. However, if you would like to fixate it to a board for easier use, you need to do it yourself. It comes with the famous Flexcut compound.
FLEXCUT PWS10 Standard Power Strop
Now, this stropping tool makes all the difference in the life of a wood carver. This is a rotating strop that makes you feel like you are in a professional workshop each time you sharpen your tools. It is oddly affordable and includes the compound as well. It gets attached to the power drill and it is switched on in a minute. The surface of it is flat and it only works for straight blades, unlike leather strop that you can adapt yourself. But it is a worthy investment, either way, perhaps a bit over the top for someone’s taste.
FLEXCUT Gold Polishing Compound
As you have probably noticed, this USA-based manufacturer is very proud of this compound and they include it in nearly every semi-professional set they make. It is easily applied for both the leather strop and the rotating strop, and it is really worth the praise. It is a honing and polishing compound, but even though it is for fine stropping, it really gets the edge right to the sharp point I need. Great stuff.
Flexcut Knife Roll, with Four Pockets, 3.4 Oz (KN00)
Even though Flexcut produces great tools, when it comes to this type of accessory, they are not the best ones. These rolls are imagined to fit Flexcut carving sets of four knives, to keep them protected and safe during transportation. The roll material is of poor quality, thus the purchase was a disappointment for me. The knives can cut right through it, especially if they are sharpened. Not a fan of this product, nor the price that it is available for.
I hope you have enjoyed reading my impressions of the different tools this American company produced. If you are thinking of using a Flexcut knife set or a Flexcut carving jack knife, you will not be disappointed. They turned out just fine when it comes to the overall quality, the comfort of the grip while holding, and the durability of the blade. The blades are really strong and even the flexible draw knife edge stays sharp and the blade is resistant to bending.
The sets I have reviewed here are usually specific for a certain type of project, and in that sense, Flexcut is one of the manufacturers who truly understands the need for wood carvers. With that in mind, they have produced the compound that is, in my opinion, very good and I like seeing it as a part of a Flexcut carving knives and accessories collection.
This was a Flexcut carving tools review, where I have explored each Flexcut carving set for my projects and chosen the best features to share with you. Flexcut chisels have really made an impression because of their shape and sizes, and especially the lack of the bevel and easy way the blades simply dive through the wood. I am looking forward to using these exceptional tools in my future detail and relief projects.
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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03.07.2021 #2 AuthorI use a soft rag to wipe the razor side of my strop after every few strokes. It is important that all traces of sawdust and metal shavings are removed from the wire surface so they don’t get caught in your honing compound or leather stropping pad.