Drawknives

2/5/21, 9:27 PM #1

Jack Guzman from Maine
Member
Offline
3,329 posts

Registered: 5/9/04

Drawknives

Jack Guzman from Maine

The main reason I do woodworking is due to my love of and fascination with tools. My favorite hand tool is the drawknife. I have quite a few of these but I am posting pictures of my favorites.

These four are ,from the top; Jason Lonon medium curved,E.G.Simmons made for Keen Kutter,A.J.Wilkinson and a Witherby.

These two are both made by Barr tools. The big one is my main go-to knife for spindle making. The narrow one was designed for carving sharp inner curves. I use it on chair seats.

The big one is made from a piece of bar stock by North Bay tools. I got it from Wiley. Only used for fine work.The other is a Jennings 4" carvers knife. I use it for details other tools won't fit.

This picture shows the knives edge on. I mostly use my drawknives bevel down. The five on the left are all designed for bevel down use. The last is the Lonon one and it is oriented for bevel up use. This one is new to me. I built a spindle using it and I like how it feels in use.

- - -

I am a carpenter by trade.Also a handyman/Jack -of-all-trades.I work around my neighborhood mostly helping people keep up their old houses.I have a fairly large woodworking shop in my house where I work with both hand and power tools. At the moment I'm focusing on Windsor chairs building.I will build most anything if needed. I'm always learning,adapting,changing trying to broaden my woodworking skills.I work mostly with hand tools in my shop but will use power if it is a better way to get the desired result. My wife,Donna,and I live in the woods of Maine with our dogs,cats,and birds. We have 5 grown kids and six grandchildren. Woodcentral has been central to my growth as a woodworker. I pass through this place every day.

Re: Drawknives

2/6/21, 2:40 AM #2

Martin S.
Member
Offline
45 posts

Registered: 6/15/12

Re: Drawknives

Martin S.

Jack, I have a few drawknives myself. I use them when I go to an occasional Windsor Chair class. What is your favorite method to sharpen them?

Re: Drawknives

2/6/21, 4:49 AM #3

Joe shelton
Member
Offline
583 posts

Registered: 1/29/04

Re: Drawknives

Joe shelton

Martin, please tell me about these classes. I need one, and soon I'll be willing to travel.

Re: Drawknives

2/6/21, 12:01 PM #4

Jack Guzman from Maine
Member
Offline
3,329 posts

Registered: 5/9/04

Re: Drawknives

Jack Guzman from Maine

I hollow grind the bevel then use water stones.I slide the stone over the edge while holding the knife like a violin(stroking away from the edge). To rehone I use a tool called Galbert's drawsharp. Peter Galbert designed it specifically to hone drawknife blades. It is a great timesaver.

- - -

I am a carpenter by trade.Also a handyman/Jack -of-all-trades.I work around my neighborhood mostly helping people keep up their old houses.I have a fairly large woodworking shop in my house where I work with both hand and power tools. At the moment I'm focusing on Windsor chairs building.I will build most anything if needed. I'm always learning,adapting,changing trying to broaden my woodworking skills.I work mostly with hand tools in my shop but will use power if it is a better way to get the desired result. My wife,Donna,and I live in the woods of Maine with our dogs,cats,and birds. We have 5 grown kids and six grandchildren. Woodcentral has been central to my growth as a woodworker. I pass through this place every day.

Re: Drawknives

2/6/21, 1:43 PM #5

Jack Guzman from Maine
Member
Offline
3,329 posts

Registered: 5/9/04

also

Jack Guzman from Maine

Curtis Buchanan has a youtube video on sharpening these as does Barr Quarton. Peter Galbert also shows sharpening on his blog.

- - -

I am a carpenter by trade.Also a handyman/Jack -of-all-trades.I work around my neighborhood mostly helping people keep up their old houses.I have a fairly large woodworking shop in my house where I work with both hand and power tools. At the moment I'm focusing on Windsor chairs building.I will build most anything if needed. I'm always learning,adapting,changing trying to broaden my woodworking skills.I work mostly with hand tools in my shop but will use power if it is a better way to get the desired result. My wife,Donna,and I live in the woods of Maine with our dogs,cats,and birds. We have 5 grown kids and six grandchildren. Woodcentral has been central to my growth as a woodworker. I pass through this place every day.

Re: Drawknives

2/6/21, 9:40 PM #6

Kevin French
Member
Offline
655 posts

Registered: 10/11/06

Re: Drawknives

Kevin French

I really enjoy my drawknives and have enough that some of hem don't see any use. I've seen the Drawsharpe jig before but so far I've avoided buying one.

A couple weeks ago I found this knife with a Goodell Pratt guide made not far from home and bought in a store just across the river from the original plant. With a bit of research on another site I learned there was a 1/4" rod missing.

I haven't fire it up yet

https://photos.app.goo.gl/87qmoZtY3qDTByfL8

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Gem88qTZxCsoZRmr5

Re: Drawknives

2/6/21, 11:58 PM #7

Jack Guzman from Maine
Member
Offline
3,329 posts

Registered: 5/9/04

?

Jack Guzman from Maine

How does that work? I've seen chamfer guides for drawknives but I don't understand the rod.

- - -

I am a carpenter by trade.Also a handyman/Jack -of-all-trades.I work around my neighborhood mostly helping people keep up their old houses.I have a fairly large woodworking shop in my house where I work with both hand and power tools. At the moment I'm focusing on Windsor chairs building.I will build most anything if needed. I'm always learning,adapting,changing trying to broaden my woodworking skills.I work mostly with hand tools in my shop but will use power if it is a better way to get the desired result. My wife,Donna,and I live in the woods of Maine with our dogs,cats,and birds. We have 5 grown kids and six grandchildren. Woodcentral has been central to my growth as a woodworker. I pass through this place every day.

Re: Drawknives

2/7/21, 1:56 AM #8

Kevin French
Member
Offline
655 posts

Registered: 10/11/06

Re: ?

Kevin French

I think the rods stabilize the guides and keep them from shifting (?)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/oB6Y3tWE4ikXWSus7

https://photos.app.goo.gl/hoKDxQvJRCD5TcG9A

Re: Drawknives

2/7/21, 4:38 AM #9

Martin S.
Member
Offline
45 posts

Registered: 6/15/12

Re: Classes

Martin S.

Joe,

I tried to email this, but it kept getting stuck in my outbox, perhaps I have your email wrong?

Without a doubt, go to a class with Greg Pennington.

If you want to be more “rustic”, go to Curtis Buchanan or Elia Bizzari. I took one from Elia at Roy Underhill’s school. The class was too big, and no power tools were used.

I can deal with no power tools, but quality suffers in a class that is too big.

Greg’s classes are small, around 6 people at most.

I took one with Curtis Buchanan at Kelly Mehler’s School, which no longer exists. Greg was his assistant. It was before Greg started teaching on his own. That is how I met Greg.

I started a class with Peter Galbert at Kelly’s, but on day two I got severe food poisoning from a restaurant in town and had to withdraw. Peter is good as well, but I cannot imagine he is any better than Greg.

My favorite, of all time, is Greg. Hands down, no question about it. Take a class from him. You won’t regret it.

His use of lasers for drilling is wonderful and innovative.

His classes fill fast, and he announces them on Instagram sometime in the fall.

You can call him at 615-264-3578 and get on a waiting list. He sometimes has cancellations.

His writing arm class is fantastic, as is his comb back and continuous arm. You don’t have to make a rocker if you don’t want to.

http://www.penningtonwindsorchairs.com/classes-1

http://www.penningtonwindsorchairs.com

If you talk to Greg, tell him I said to call and recommended him.

I’ll be happy to answer any questions I can.

Martin

Re: Drawknives

2/7/21, 3:43 PM #10

Bill Houghton
Member
Offline
8,480 posts

Registered: 1/1/70

Re: ?

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

The rod would allow you to set a distance and repeat it later. It also aligns them so they're parallel.

Re: Drawknives

2/7/21, 4:29 PM #11

Joe shelton
Member
Offline
583 posts

Registered: 1/29/04

Re: Classes

Joe shelton

Thank you very much, Martin.

I'm excited at the prospect.

Re: Drawknives

2/7/21, 7:46 PM #12

Paul in NJ
Member
Offline
588 posts

Registered: 1/2/04

Re: Drawknives

Paul in NJ

Hi Jack,

nice drawknives! My favorite is a Witherby with a curved blade. I mostly use it bevel up but feels ok either way. I put the slightest back bevel on the back side, almost imperceptible.

regards,

Paul Dzioba

Re: Drawknives

2/7/21, 11:24 PM #13

Jack Guzman from Maine
Member
Offline
3,329 posts

Registered: 5/9/04

Re: Drawknives

Jack Guzman from Maine

Slight back bevels are a good thing on a drawknife. makes it possible to make diving cuts when using it bevel up.

- - -

I am a carpenter by trade.Also a handyman/Jack -of-all-trades.I work around my neighborhood mostly helping people keep up their old houses.I have a fairly large woodworking shop in my house where I work with both hand and power tools. At the moment I'm focusing on Windsor chairs building.I will build most anything if needed. I'm always learning,adapting,changing trying to broaden my woodworking skills.I work mostly with hand tools in my shop but will use power if it is a better way to get the desired result. My wife,Donna,and I live in the woods of Maine with our dogs,cats,and birds. We have 5 grown kids and six grandchildren. Woodcentral has been central to my growth as a woodworker. I pass through this place every day.

Re: Drawknives

2/8/21, 1:36 AM #14

Larry Barrett
Member
Offline
1,070 posts

Registered: 3/11/04

Re: Drawknives

Larry Barrett

Hi Jack. Drawknives are fun to use. I have 3 Witherbys that I use a lot. They all have curved blades and I use them mostly bevel up. One 6” and two 7”. One of the 7” has an unusual shape, a smooth surface like an airfoil. It makes a nice relief cut like in the back post of a Jennie Alexander chair.

Re: Drawknives

2/8/21, 3:16 AM #15

Wiley Horne
Member
Offline
1,277 posts

Registered: 2/18/05

Jennie Alexander chair

Wiley Horne

For those who haven’t made the acquaintance yet:

https://www.burn-heart.com/jennie-chair

Wiley

- - -

Retired water engineer/manager. Born and raised in Charlotte, NC. Advanced degrees at Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Came to California in 1972 because of the professional opportunities. Made a living in wastewater and water supply engineering until 1999, planning major facility expansions and upgrades, as well as regional water conservation and water recycling programs, and environmental restoration programs in So. Calif. and SF Bay Delta. Keen J. S. Bach enthusiast, and happy to share with others of like persuasion. Retired early 10 years ago due to illness in the household--we needed another pair of hands at home. Gradually converted nearly all operations over to handtools (and one bandsaw) to minimize noise--need to be able to hear things at all times. Favorite furniture styles: American Federal period, Greene & Greene, and for small items--Krenov. Some favorite tools: Yataiki saws, Konrad Sauer and Clark & Williams handplanes, Japanese chisels, Starrett, and everything North Bros. Screw-arm plough planes. Auriou rasps. Grobet files. And my LN 5-1/2. New emerging favorite: Heiji saws. Some favorite vendors: Lee Valley, Lie Nielsen, Tools for Working Wood (Joel) Grateful to: Ellis Walentine, who has endured much and given all to bring us WoodCentral. ______

Drawknives

Posts