I own a LOT of flexcut knives. I bought several different sets. I am not what you call a "professional"; however, I find them PERFECT! I sand the shine off the handles on the ones I have had move in my hand.
I agree with your opinions on all the Flexcut tools. They are probably the best value for carving tools, especially beginners to intermediate. Minor gotchas as you noted but every one I’ve bought has been great. The Sloyd is just on a whole other level to not be hand forged. For the handles on my Flexcut tools, I use acetone to take off all the finish and light sand with 220 grit. Next, I apply raw linseed/flaxseed oil which does take some time to dry but is worth it. It helps to use warm sun or a hairdryer to warm the oil to soak into the pores. I let that dry for a couple of days and they work great. I use that process on all my wooden handled tools. Hope this helps someone.
You've come a long way in your confidence in presentation since your earlier videos. I was too quick to speak the other day based on an old video. Truly amazing to see what persistence and a passion can do
Been watching your how to vids and tool vids and I am hooked. Love doing this, not the best at it but I’m catching on. Can’t believe I waited till I turned 60 to start.
my first big purchase is going to be a flexcut kit, that company already has a load of my money but they are going to get alot more now because of this channel, this is a great review of really good tools, only have a couple of the flexcut knives so far but im well impressed with them
I find these are great for softer wood and even up to walnut. When I work with any of the denser tropical woods like bloodwood or african blackwood the flex of the palm tools becomes a problem. I also scrape off the laquer/polyurethane finish and then use danish oil or BLO and that is much better for long term use.
Great review! If I may offer a suggestion on the slippery handles....I use fishing rod handle wrap or tennis racket handle wrap om my Flexcut handles. It gives a little cushioning and greatly improves the grip. I highly recommend it.
If I may, I see you have a lot of suggestions for fixing the slippery handles, but if I may offer you another, I strip all my lacquered handles including axes and lawn tools, and refinish them with a 50/50 mix of pine tar and turpentine. It's an old recipe that has worked for generations of tool handles. And it provides some grip while using them. Also it will protect the wood which was toe original intention for using the lacquer in the first place I'd venture.
Yes, the slayed knives are cherry wood, and they are not lacquered they are oiled. I did sand down one of the other handles, and it becomes fuzzy, it's kind of a weird wood. So I put about 10 coats of boiled linseed oil on it. That did seem to cover the fuzzy parts, but it was weird after I sanded it.
Not necessarily. Pointed tips are good for very fine detail work, but a regular rounded tip will work for the vast majority of your projects Prioritize a sharp edge first, use a pointed tip on an as needed basis.
Bonjour Brian et merci de cette vidéo instructive. Dans la vidéo tu montres les kits de paume larges, les kits pour débutant. Ma préférence va pour Flexcut de loin une très bonne qualité de ciseaux. Peux-tu m’envoyer plus de détails sur les outils de paume s’il te plaît ? Ces outils présentés sont-ils disponibles en Europe ? As-tu une adresse mail à présent ? Ton site est-il terminé ? Merci pour tes réponses, Michèle
Howdy! The Flexcut palm tools should be available in Europe, but they may be on the expensive side due to import costs. I see on the UK Amazon site they have the Flexcut Craft Carver Set in both 5 and 11 piece sets. The only difference is the tools come with an interchangeable handle, this saves on cost and space and from what I have heard is quite nice. Website for the templates is close to being done, I'm just getting a few sketches finalized so they turn out nice as a download.
Would you say the palm tool set would be good to begin craving letters and numbers into the face of wood? From what ive seen you need chisel and gouges to do it easily. I tried used my chip carving knfie and im not very good at cutting out letters or numbers
@@CarvingisFun awesome. Good to know. I don’t plan on doing anything big just yet. Been enjoying the small carvings I can do. Thank you for always answering some questions!
Off the top of my head, I can't think of another company that 1) has the same size selection of flexcut that is readily available and 2) doesn't need any additional sharpening out of the box. If it were me, I would grab the flexcut versions if they are the right size for what you need.
I can't find any flexcut tools in Chile, but I can find BeaverCraft and they are still a good choice. But this site seems to have some decent tools dos-almas.cl/
I sent my 3 knife set (almost $60) back to Amazon, the knives arrived dull and endless stropping did not help. One quality knife for $40 has been a night and day improvement. I like their Slip Strop a lot, but the set of mediocre knives (the three shapes are not really much help anyway) has generally turned me off to their tools. I did buy a 1/4" 70 degree V and it is better than nothing but I expect it will not be much used when I have waited out the backorder wait on better quality.
Howdy! If you want an affordable kit, beavercraft is offers a lot of value for the quality of knives they provide and have several kits available Next is Flexcut, while they dont offer full kits that have a leather strop in it their tools and supplies are reallnicr quality. They are more expensive but will last you a long time. If you want to see my suggested supplies on amazon, check out my favorites shown here www.amazon.com/shop/CarvingisFun
My younger half-brother made away with the 3/8 palm gauge I used to have, His alias is "Mosus" Shultz. Avoid the greedy rat. But now I've found a way to get better ones, maybe He did Me a favor without knowing it - Har. Yup,! 😬 😀 🤠
![Tee Grizzley - Detroit (Feat. 42 Dugg) [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/aeKfTtt0x14/mqdefault.jpg)
I own a LOT of flexcut knives. I bought several different sets. I am not what you call a "professional"; however, I find them PERFECT! I sand the shine off the handles on the ones I have had move in my hand.
I keep saying to myself that Im going to sand my handles, but just never get around to it.
Good idea. Sanding off the slippery. Will try that.
I agree with your opinions on all the Flexcut tools. They are probably the best value for carving tools, especially beginners to intermediate. Minor gotchas as you noted but every one I’ve bought has been great. The Sloyd is just on a whole other level to not be hand forged.
For the handles on my Flexcut tools, I use acetone to take off all the finish and light sand with 220 grit. Next, I apply raw linseed/flaxseed oil which does take some time to dry but is worth it. It helps to use warm sun or a hairdryer to warm the oil to soak into the pores. I let that dry for a couple of days and they work great.
I use that process on all my wooden handled tools. Hope this helps someone.
Very good idea with the acetone! That would prevent the sandpaper from getting gummed up.
You've come a long way in your confidence in presentation since your earlier videos. I was too quick to speak the other day based on an old video. Truly amazing to see what persistence and a passion can do
Thanks!! Anyone will get better if they keep pushing themselves to improve little by little :)
Been watching your how to vids and tool vids and I am hooked. Love doing this, not the best at it but I’m catching on. Can’t believe I waited till I turned 60 to start.
my first big purchase is going to be a flexcut kit, that company already has a load of my money but they are going to get alot more now because of this channel, this is a great review of really good tools, only have a couple of the flexcut knives so far but im well impressed with them
Never realized that there were so many different tools for carving, so much learning needed by me.
Flexcut has even more available than what is shown! I would check out their website to see everything they have to offer :)
I find these are great for softer wood and even up to walnut. When I work with any of the denser tropical woods like bloodwood or african blackwood the flex of the palm tools becomes a problem. I also scrape off the laquer/polyurethane finish and then use danish oil or BLO and that is much better for long term use.
Completely agree with ya!
Ayup! I invested in a set of micro Flexcuts in the spring. They are very sharp and fit in the hand so well.
I have all of the micro tool sets. They are fantastic and I think more robust than the Dockyards.
Great review! If I may offer a suggestion on the slippery handles....I use fishing rod handle wrap or tennis racket handle wrap om my Flexcut handles. It gives a little cushioning and greatly improves the grip. I highly recommend it.
Good ideas! I also have some tool tape that works pretty well too :)
If I may, I see you have a lot of suggestions for fixing the slippery handles, but if I may offer you another, I strip all my lacquered handles including axes and lawn tools, and refinish them with a 50/50 mix of pine tar and turpentine. It's an old recipe that has worked for generations of tool handles. And it provides some grip while using them. Also it will protect the wood which was toe original intention for using the lacquer in the first place I'd venture.
Thats a good idea! Already sounds better than what was already on the handles.
Thank you for this!!
Great video, great review well done.
I would love a guide on that elephant!!
The bandaid holder lol. I’d say it’s the most important tool.
Yup! Flexcut tools are really good! Period! 😁
Indeed they are!
Hi, love your reviews. You mentioned in this video that these are beginner/intermediate tools. What would be the top professional tool brands be?
For the highestquality, I would lean towards Pfeil (just not their knives), two cherries, and Lamp
Yes, the slayed knives are cherry wood, and they are not lacquered they are oiled. I did sand down one of the other handles, and it becomes fuzzy, it's kind of a weird wood.
So I put about 10 coats of boiled linseed oil on it. That did seem to cover the fuzzy parts, but it was weird after I sanded it.
Sloyd not slayd
When whittling, do you need a pointy tip? Or is that not as important as a sharp edge?
Not necessarily. Pointed tips are good for very fine detail work, but a regular rounded tip will work for the vast majority of your projects
Prioritize a sharp edge first, use a pointed tip on an as needed basis.
@@CarvingisFun 👍
What set to start with ?hmmmmm😊
Bonjour Brian et merci de cette vidéo instructive. Dans la vidéo tu montres les kits de paume larges, les kits pour débutant. Ma préférence va pour Flexcut de loin une très bonne qualité de ciseaux. Peux-tu m’envoyer plus de détails sur les outils de paume s’il te plaît ? Ces outils présentés sont-ils disponibles en Europe ? As-tu une adresse mail à présent ? Ton site est-il terminé ? Merci pour tes réponses, Michèle
Howdy!
The Flexcut palm tools should be available in Europe, but they may be on the expensive side due to import costs. I see on the UK Amazon site they have the Flexcut Craft Carver Set in both 5 and 11 piece sets. The only difference is the tools come with an interchangeable handle, this saves on cost and space and from what I have heard is quite nice.
Website for the templates is close to being done, I'm just getting a few sketches finalized so they turn out nice as a download.
Would you say the palm tool set would be good to begin craving letters and numbers into the face of wood? From what ive seen you need chisel and gouges to do it easily. I tried used my chip carving knfie and im not very good at cutting out letters or numbers
Palm tools will be great for small letters on softer woods. But bigger figures and harder woods will benifit from a chisel and mallet
@@CarvingisFun awesome. Good to know. I don’t plan on doing anything big just yet. Been enjoying the small carvings I can do. Thank you for always answering some questions!
I'm considering buying their scorp knives set. I haven't seen any decent alternatives as far as those go. Do you know any?
Off the top of my head, I can't think of another company that 1) has the same size selection of flexcut that is readily available and 2) doesn't need any additional sharpening out of the box.
If it were me, I would grab the flexcut versions if they are the right size for what you need.
Do you know if flex cut tools are sold in the U.K
Yep, go here to find a local dealer to you www.flexcut.com/locate-a-dealer/FindDealerForm/
Quiero comprar, no sé cómo hacerlo, dónde puedo pedir ayuda... Porfavor.
What country do you live in?
www.flexcut.com/locate-a-dealer/
@@CarvingisFun Chile, hermano.
I can't find any flexcut tools in Chile, but I can find BeaverCraft and they are still a good choice.
But this site seems to have some decent tools dos-almas.cl/
I sent my 3 knife set (almost $60) back to Amazon, the knives arrived dull and endless stropping did not help. One quality knife for $40 has been a night and day improvement. I like their Slip Strop a lot, but the set of mediocre knives (the three shapes are not really much help anyway) has generally turned me off to their tools. I did buy a 1/4" 70 degree V and it is better than nothing but I expect it will not be much used when I have waited out the backorder wait on better quality.
can you recommend starter sets?
Howdy!
If you want an affordable kit, beavercraft is offers a lot of value for the quality of knives they provide and have several kits available
Next is Flexcut, while they dont offer full kits that have a leather strop in it their tools and supplies are reallnicr quality. They are more expensive but will last you a long time.
If you want to see my suggested supplies on amazon, check out my favorites shown here www.amazon.com/shop/CarvingisFun
Sand The Handels
And while you're at it, also sand the Bachs, the Schuberts, the Wagners and the Rimsky-Korsakovs.🤣
A very patriotic review...
My younger half-brother made away with the 3/8 palm gauge I used to have, His alias is "Mosus" Shultz. Avoid the greedy rat. But now I've found a way to get better ones, maybe He did Me a favor without knowing it - Har. Yup,! 😬 😀 🤠
Purchased 3 Flexcut, never again
To each their own! I know some people just don't like them as they have better tools to begin with.
@@CarvingisFun Exactly, so it worth the extra investment in a better knife from the start