Best Wood Carving Knives in 2023

Having the wrong woodworking and carving tools can be incredibly frustrating and take a lot of the joy of woodworking. We’ll help you choose the best wood carving knife for your needs and that works for your setup. We’ve carved out a pretty hefty chunk of time to look for some of the best value for money wood carving knives that are worth looking at.

We will guide you through the different options and by the end of the guide, you’ll have a clear idea of what you need in your next wood carving knife – and where to get your hands on one. Our goal is to get you equipped and ready to make the best possible choice!

Top 7 Best Wood Carving Knife Reviews in 2023

We’ve carefully selected 7 of the best carving knives that strike the right balance between cost, performance, longevity, and more. These knives can earn their spot in your woodworking kit, whether you’re a beginner or a devout enthusiast.

You’ll find out what’s unique and compelling about each knife, its key features, and why it’s worth your money. We’ll finish each review with what we did and didn’t like about each knife to give you a well-rounded and realistic view of its real-world performance. Let’s jump into our best wood carving knife reviews!

Waycom Wood Carving Knife and Tool Set

Here’s a fantastic value for the money toolset. All the tools come packed in an elegant bamboo case and each of the knives has a dedicated sheath. You’ll get all the protection you’d need for long-lasting performance. There’s a sloyd knife, chopping knife, hook knife, cut resistant gloves, a spoon blank, leather strop, and more. We loved how sleek and attractive the knives are.

With darkened and hardened wooden handles, these are easily some of the best looking knives on the market in this price range. They feel impeccably well-balanced and comfortable in your hands for rougher chipping and fine-tuned carving work. It’s an excellent set for skill-building that’ll leave you with some professional results and a taste of premium performance.

The gloves are exceptional. They’re non-slip and elastic enough to fit a huge range of hand sizes. They combine perfectly with the wooden handles of the knives and give you top-class cut protection. Overall, this is a fantastic budget best wood carving knife set that has hints of premium performance and looks gorgeous.

Morakniv 106 Wood Carving Knife

Here’s a 3.2” wood carving knife with a durable and sturdy laminated steel blade. Its tapered profile leads into a very strong tip and the thicker blade enhances the overall durability of the knife. You are getting a high-quality Birchwood to handle that’s rounded and on the thicker side.

This lets you get an excellent grip with plenty of strength without losing accuracy and precision. It’s got a textured feel that keeps it from slipping in your hands and tapers off smoothly into the bolster. The wood has oiled and treated to improve its feel and longevity.

You’ll find the blade has probably the best edge retention among wood knives in this price range – you could carve out a whole log cabin with this knife and still have it just as sharp as day one. The steel has a carbon core but is a little susceptible to light rusting and corrosion if it’s not taken care of.

We’d have liked a sheath or some kind of case to help out with some additional protection – though you’re getting plenty of value for your money as it is now. Overall, you’re getting professional edge retention from a wood carving knife (and a relatively functional awl) and possibly the best wood carving knife in this price range. It’s a no-brainer and will last for ages.

BeaverCraft C2 Wood Carving Knife

This BeaverCraft knife has been specifically designed for general wood carving and is also an excellent choice for green woodworking and intricate carving. The blade has been crafted from hardened carbon steel and it holds an excellent edge for longer than you’d expect. You’ll be able to hone the edge to a razor point relatively easily. In terms of resistance, it is protected against rusting and corrosion.

The blade is durable enough to handle soft and hardwood without buckling, chipping, or breaking. You’re getting a strange-looking but exceptionally well-designed handle with a smooth feel and ergonomic profile. The handle suits a bunch of different grip styles and techniques, giving you plenty of power when it’s needed – and accuracy for finer work.

It’s made from hardwood Oak and oiled with natural linseed oil to ensure durability and long-lasting reliable performance. You’ll get one of our favorite picks for the best wood carving knife for the money, and a highly-functional and versatile carving and woodworking option.

Elemental Tools Wood Carving Tool Set

You’re getting pretty much everything you’d need in a versatile wood carving tool set. There’s a hook knife, a detailing knife, a sloyd knife, some polishing compound and strap, a wood spoon blank, and cut resistant gloves. You’ll have everything you need for a home wood carving DIY project.

All the tools come in a gorgeous wood grain display box with cutouts designed for them to sit in. You’ll immediately notice how fantastic and visually stunning the set is. The dark wood handles are oiled and polished to look classy and feel even better. They’re ergonomically designed and non-slip to give you all the accuracy and power you’d need.

The blades are made from resistant steel that’s not going to rust easily and gives you sharp edges that hold for ages. Considering the balance between price and quality, this set is very hard to ignore. It’s just as well suited to beginners as it is to more experienced users.

While you’re shouldn’t be using this set as a professional kit, you’ll get exquisite and consistent results with the tools. Overall, this is one of the best wood carving knife sets in this price range and would make an endearing gift to any woodworking enthusiast.

BeaverCraft C4 Wood Carving Sloyd Knife

Whether you’re a beginner at carving or a pro, you’re going to love this simple yet efficient Beavercraft knife. This Sloyd knife has all the features you’d look for in a standard carving knife, and it comes for a low price. The knife has a high-carbon instrumental steel blade with a full tang. The blade’s tip is thin and pointed, so you can happily use it for detail work.

Moreover, the gently rounded edge also helps to get rolled and slicing cuts. It can also cut through hardwood. Made in Ukraine, the handle of this knife is quite an eye-catcher. It’s made of hardwood oak and has an ergonomic design, so you don’t have to worry about losing control while curving. Still, since this knife comes quite sharp out of the box, make sure you’re wearing woodworking gloves.

Gaxcoo Wood Carving Tool Kit

Here’s a fantastic 3-piece woodworking set that should cover all your basic woodworking needs. It’s a wonderful set for beginners to start with, especially if you don’t want to spend too much money without knowing what you’re getting into. All the knives are exceptionally well-crafted with solid and dense handles with premium high-carbon steel blades.

The edges are easy to maintain and sharpen. They hold well enough to rely on for consistent and daily use. You’re getting the versatility of a quality hook knife for carving bowls, cups, or any rounded edge. There’s a sloyd knife for whittling and roughing away wood quickly and finally, the detail knife.

It’s incredibly easy to handle and very precise. Additionally, the handles are all ergonomically designed to fit into your hand without slipping or straining your wrists. You’ll find working with these knives to be a pleasure and they’re a fantastic set of woodworking tools to hone and refine your skills with.

Dugato Wood Carving Knife Set

Here’s another 5-piece set aimed at beginners on a tighter budget. You’re getting all the ergonomics and performance you’d expect at this price point – and more! The knives are very durable despite the lower price point. This combined with protective material casing gives you robustness.

The hook knife in particular stood out as the star of this set. You’ll find the edge to shave rounded sections exceptionally easily. It’s comfortable to handle and doesn’t need a ton of maintenance to keep in good working order. All the blades are corrosion and rust-resistant, as well as having excellent edge retention and sharpness.

We loved the broader handles and felt they are super-easy to handle for a versatile selection of carving. Whether you’re doing some rougher shaving or more precise detailing, you’ll have no trouble handling these knives. Their non-slip texture and smoothed corners make them feel lighter than they are.

You’ll have a set of hefty tools that are capable and reliable at your disposal. While these knives are aimed more at beginners and early enthusiasts, you’ll find they’re capable of some tremendous results. It’s one of our favorite cheap wood carving knife sets.

What Matters Most in a Wood Carving Knife?

We’re going to take a quick look at some of the most essential features and aspects of a wood carving knife so that you can get the most from your money. You’ll find out what you should be paying more attention to and its effect on your knife’s performance and longevity. Let’s go.

Blade Type

This is perhaps the most critical choice you’ll need to make as it will decide how well the knife works for you. Before choosing, write down 3 or 4 of the most common woodworking tasks, you’ll be using the knife for. Do you focus on more intricate and precise carving? Or are you more interested in heavier-duty projects and cutting tasks?

You’ll need a more prolonged and thinner blade if you’re aiming at accuracy and control. While shorter and wider blades might seem easier to control, they lose quite a bit of precision and delicacy.

Steel

Try to steer toward carbon steel as it’s stronger and offers better cutting accuracy and strength. This steel is more prone to corrosion, so ensure you have an airtight care and maintenance routine. You can go for stainless steel that’s more corrosion resistant, but it’s quite a bit softer and might struggle with deeper cuts.

Handle

The handle should look like a distorted cylinder that’s wider in the middle. This helps the knife slot comfortably into either hand and helps provide a right mix between control and power.

Usually, the handles are made from wood and are coated for extra moisture and crack protection – though it’s possible to find other types of handles. Wood usually is fine; just make sure that you store your wood knife properly and dry it thoroughly after cleaning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do Wood Carving Knives Have a Single or Dual Cutting Edge?

A: The vast majority of wood carving knives have single cutting edges. They’re usually relatively narrow and long, with some being short and wide (for more power). They almost always have a triangular shape that symmetrically comes to a thin and sharp point.

Q: How Often Should I Sharpen a Wood Carving Knife?

A: This depends on how often you use it. The biggest issue you’ll run into with wood carving knives is forming a second bevel right near the cutting edge. Stropping isn’t going to fix this and will only improve the bevel that’s already there. You’ll need to sharpen the cutting edge (reset it) whenever you notice this second edge start showing. It can ruin the cutting performance if left unchecked.

Q: Do Carving Knives’ Handles Warp or Crack?

A: This depends much on the quality of your care and maintenance routine. If you’re in a humid environment and your handles are made from wood, you’ll need to make sure they stay dry and are stored in a cool and dry spot. So long as you dry them thoroughly after washing and outdoor use, they’ll last a long time.

Final Thoughts

You should feel like you have enough knowledge under your belt to make a choice you’ll be happy with for a long time. The first step to getting the right woodworking knife is sticking to your unique style and needs. Besides, you should have a clear idea of what you’re looking for in your next carving knife. Don’t feel like you need to rush this process.

If you’ve seen any knives that caught your attention, take a little time to go back over it and check it out again. It’s far more important to get the right knife than it is to get the objectively best one. Therefore, once you’ve got the best wood carving knife for you, getting professional results will be easier. Lastly, you’ll be on the path to achieving all your woodworking goals! Good luck!