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One of the risks that accompanies any hobby is the temptation to buy shiny new gear, and with wood carving, that means knives. I started whittling with a cheap pocket knife when I was 10 years old. That knife was sufficient for turning big sticks into little sticks, but as my skills improved, I learned about real wood carving knives, with their small fixed blades and large comfortable handles. Trying one for the first time was a revelation. My hands didn’t hurt after 20 minutes and I was able to add details that were previously almost impossible.
Flexcut has spent the past few years designing its Pro Series of wood carving knives that fed my temptation by promising even better control, precision, and comfort. I got the 3-piece Pro Set that includes a 1 ⅝-inch carving knife, 1 ⅜-inch detail knife, and 1-inch chip carving knife. I’ve been using them for a couple of months now, and while I’m not ready to give up my old whittling knives, I really like the new features.
Our Rating: 4.5/5
Flexcut Pro Series 3-Piece Pro Set
Pro Series knives use the same durable heat treated 1095 spring steel blade material that the brand has been using for years, but with a true flat grind blade and an open space between the heel of the blade and the choil. No need to break out the knife sharpener. These were razor sharp, mirror polished, and ready to work right out of the package. The steel held its edge in all types of wood like earlier models, but the redesign makes the blades lighter without sacrificing strength, and they were easier to strop than traditional Scandi-ground blades.
The handles got a makeover too. The unvarnished cherrywood handles are straighter at the butt and feature flat sidewalls, subtly angled corners, and a slight downward curve toward the blade spine. They feel good. I don’t miss the tapered and curved butt end on older models, and my big hands don’t tire or get sore after a couple of hours whittling hardwood.
Flexcut Pro knives are really great, but sometimes I prefer working with a narrower point or a curved edge, neither of which is available in the Pro Series, and let’s face it, old habits are hard to break. For no-particular-reason I sometimes feel like using a particular knife, even though it may not be technically the “best” tool for the job. I am happily adding the Pro Series into my whittling rotation, and I know I’ll use them often. Time will tell if one of them becomes my next habit.
Where to Buy the Flexcut Pro Series Carving Knives
Get the Flexcut Pro Series 3-Piece Pro Set at:
