Bud Murray makes two knives for me according to a design that was developed through trial and error of a blade shape that works best for the style of Whittle-Carving done by the WOOD BEE CARVER. He makes two sizes with the Murray 529 being two inches long and the Murray 539 being an inch and half long. Both have the same blade design of a scimitar blade shape with a notch in the extended tang. The handle is four inches long with a pistol grip at one end and a side finger grove on the side near the blade.
The Murray knives are one of the three knife makers that are recommended by the WOOD BEE CARVER as stated in an earlier post entitled “Three Knives Recommended.” Information for ordering either Murray 529 or Murray 539 can be found under Cool Links by clicking on “Murray Knives.”
Rich Smithson of Helvie Knives decorated a knife handle with his art work for the Eastern Woodland Carving Club to auction off at their recent Christmas Dinner/Party. The blade cover was carved by the WOOD BEE CARVER. Together the knife and blade cover garnered $160 for the Club’s expenses. The four photographs below shows off the beautiful wood burning and painting art work of Rich who also makes a well-respected carving knife in the Helvie brand.
The WOOD BEE CARVER is primarily a knife carver who began as a youth using a pocket knife to whittle toys and other play things. When carving grew into a serious activity it was still the pocket knife that remained the primary carving tool. Old pocket knives rescued from flea markets were reshaped and sharpened into carving knives.
Following years of trial and error experimenting with various blade shapes one basic shape became the most versatile for practicing the slicing cut. Thus was born the “Universal Whittle-Carving Knife,” whose basic design has the back edge of the blade sloping down with a twelve degree angle to meet the cutting edge that gently curves up to meet the back edge at its tip. Read the rest of this entry »
Rich Smithson of Helvie Knives announces that he is making Collector’s Edition Knives bearing his own wood burned artwork on the handle of all the caricature images of the Signature Series of knives. The photographs above show both sides and top and bottom of the six inch long cherry handle trimmed with pakkawood. Those who participate in the Signature Series are Tom Brown, Gerald Sears, Bruce Henn, Chris Hammack, Mark Akers, Randy True, Floyd Rhadigan and Don Mertz.
These special Collector’s Edition Knives will sell for $100 each and take up to four weeks to be shipped after order is placed due to the hand burned art work done one at a time. Knife blade shapes will include Standard Helvie Long, Roughout, Detail or Universal Scimitar (as in photo above). Inquiries and orders may be placed with Rich or wife Holli at Helvie Knives. Read the rest of this entry »
A Spud character is normally a short and squatty fellow who chomps down on a stub of a cigar while having a “don’t mess with me,” look on his face. Spud Billy is a variation of the original Spuds in that he is twice as tall and not quite as squatty. His attitude is the same as there is no “messing around” with Spud Billy. Read the rest of this entry »
The Helvie Hobo was carved for Rich and Holli Smithson who are owners and manufacturers of Helvie Knives. They are producing a “Signature Knife” of my design of blade and handle shape. The hobo was carved exclusively with the “Signature Knife” in the photo. Their daughter Skylar likes to be included in collecting wood carvings. Skylar is all smiles with the snowwoman gift by the WOOD BEE CARVER and the Santa by Will Hayden. Read the rest of this entry »
Rich and Holli Smithson, owners and manufacturers of HELVIE KNIVES are known primarily for their quality carving knives and their unique basswood handled knives that can be used to carve one’s own design into the handle. What is not well known is that Rich is also an artist at heart who sometimes creates beautiful wood burned and painted designs and scenes on handles of HELVIE KNIVES. Rich and Holli have graciously given me permission to post some of his artist creations so that others can appreciate another art form. The gallery of knives that follow can be seen in a larger format by clicking on each photograph. Read the rest of this entry »
The WOOD BEE CARVER is primarily a knife carver with the photograph at the left representative of the various knives used in Whittle-Carving. On the right are two pocket knives representative of the very first and most often used knives for carving. The two knives on the left are small handled pocket knives that have been “tinkered” with larger wooden handles. The knives in the center represent custom made knives that are also used in the carving process. The top and the fourth down are Ralph E. Long knives. The second knife was made by good friend Larry Piety. The third knife down is an old Herb Dunkle knife and the bottom knife was made by Dave Lyons. Even though each of these knives are adequate for carving, yet making one’s own knife is a fun project. Read the rest of this entry »
