Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: arachnid on November 23, 2014, 06:33:58 am

Title: which drawknife is better for bowmaking?
Post by: arachnid on November 23, 2014, 06:33:58 am
Hi guys.

Which of the following is better:
This one has a curved blade...
http://m.ebay.com/itm/351226529281?nav=SEARCH

Or this one with a stright blade:
http://m.ebay.com/itm/331375679067?nav=SEARCH

If you know the brands please tell me what you think....
Thanks

Dor
Title: Re: which drawknife is better for bowmaking?
Post by: Eric Krewson on November 23, 2014, 09:28:59 am
Flex cut makes great tools but both draw knives you have pictured look a little flimsy to me.

I like a heavy bladed straight drawknife. My favorite is the top one, I use the others in descending order with the small one rarely used. The second one down is a Greenlee, very nice and $20 at a flea market. There is one just like it on ebay right now that looks like new. In my opinion, vintage in like new shape is better than what is made now.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/fourdrawknives.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ekrewson/media/bow%20making/fourdrawknives.jpg.html)
Title: Re: which drawknife is better for bowmaking?
Post by: steve b. on November 23, 2014, 09:43:20 am
I only use curved. I tried the one you posted, purchased from a woodwooking store, but took it back immediately because it was like using a razorblade to scrape.  It was too thin and sharp for me and just wanted to dig deep.  I couldn't control it.
Title: Re: which drawknife is better for bowmaking?
Post by: missilemaster on November 23, 2014, 09:55:27 am
I have the flexcut and it works well for the more delicate ring chasing, I use it a lot. However, you are going to need something bigger for the quick and dirty hog it off work. I use a big slightly curved drawknife and a straight one. I don't notice much of a difference between the two.
Title: Re: which drawknife is better for bowmaking?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on November 23, 2014, 10:19:32 am
I like the old ones. I like the curved dknives. Hit the flea markets. Jawge
Title: Re: which drawknife is better for bowmaking?
Post by: JoJoDapyro on November 23, 2014, 10:22:29 am
I have a smaller straight and a medium curved. Both Flexcut.
Title: Re: which drawknife is better for bowmaking?
Post by: arachnid on November 23, 2014, 10:43:32 am
I found some guy that makes knives and asked him to make me a drawknife. He makes it from 1070 steel with a 10" blade.
problem is its a bit expensive.
Should I wait until I have the money or buy of the obove?
Title: Re: which drawknife is better for bowmaking?
Post by: Drewster on November 23, 2014, 11:03:50 am
Arachnid, for my money and a quality tool, I would do as suggested by Eric and find a good used one at a flea market, antique store or the big auction site.  I have two Worth drawknives that are excellent quality, each about $40.00.  No way will you get that quality in a new one.  My 8" one is a great size.
Title: Re: which drawknife is better for bowmaking?
Post by: bushboy on November 23, 2014, 11:27:08 am
I have a ochsenkopf curved blade style that works well with excellent steel!shipping may be cheaper since you. Are on that side of pond.
Title: Re: which drawknife is better for bowmaking?
Post by: arachnid on November 23, 2014, 12:05:59 pm
Ebay has lots of old and antique drawknives for sale. Are they any good?
Title: Re: which drawknife is better for bowmaking?
Post by: vinemaplebows on November 23, 2014, 01:19:55 pm
My favorite is like the one Eric photo shows at the bottom....small and bent handles. I have quite a few different ones, but like the smaller ones.


VMB
Title: Re: which drawknife is better for bowmaking?
Post by: DavidV on November 23, 2014, 03:14:34 pm
If you can't find one on ebay or a flea market get a "draw shaver" from menards for like 12 bucks. It's heavy and does what I need it to do but pretty low quality steel. Then you can hold out for a nice antique one.

Also the best way to use it is bevel down, I have enough control to chase 1/32" rings with it.
Title: Re: which drawknife is better for bowmaking?
Post by: arachnid on November 23, 2014, 03:28:54 pm
Did anyone ever tried chasing a ring with a spokeshave? Is it doable?
Title: Re: which drawknife is better for bowmaking?
Post by: Eric Krewson on November 23, 2014, 05:36:37 pm
You can't chase a ring with a spokeshave, too light weight and slow.
Title: Re: which drawknife is better for bowmaking?
Post by: JoJoDapyro on November 23, 2014, 11:40:45 pm
I bought a spokeshave and really don't care for it.
Title: Re: which drawknife is better for bowmaking?
Post by: Jax666 on November 24, 2014, 08:07:43 am
I bought a spokeshave and really don't care for it.
I thought a spoke shave would be good for working on the belly side. Should I stop looking for one?
Title: Re: which drawknife is better for bowmaking?
Post by: JoJoDapyro on November 24, 2014, 12:11:48 pm
Mine was like $15 online. It is a Stanley. I just can't get it to work for me. Quite possibly a user error.
Title: Re: which drawknife is better for bowmaking?
Post by: Springbuck on November 30, 2014, 03:18:13 pm
Did anyone ever tried chasing a ring with a spokeshave? Is it doable?
\


It's doable, but if you have knots or bumps on the back of the stave, it is easy to knock their tops off.  I use a cheap one, sharp, but set thick to rough down when I have a lot of sapwood to remove.  Not much slower than the drawknife, and takes less forearm to make it do what you want.  But I stop shy of the ring I want and switch to a heavy scraper I have and the draw knife.  On a clean, slightly and evenly crowned stave I'd do it.
Title: Re: which drawknife is better for bowmaking?
Post by: Springbuck on November 30, 2014, 03:22:07 pm
  And I like spokeshaves generally, but i have a dozen tools on my bench next to me when working, and switch constantly, using them all sometimes, as the need strikes, I get bored, or to rest a certain hand muscle.  Machete, block plane, thumb plane, heavy scraper, cabinet scraper, gooseneck, rasp, fine rasp, spokeshave, drawknife, pocketknife, an old jointer blade,  little saw, etc....


The best drawknife is a solid, sharp one you own.  The next best is two.