HELVIE KNIVES announces the introduction of two more knives in the WOOD BEE CARVER Signature Series. Each knife is a continuation of the basic design and concept for a carving knife that is used in a “slice and roll” action. The cutting edge is curved in a quarter moon shape to allow for a slicing action in both the push and pull stroke. The back edge mirrors the cutting edge with a scimitar blade shape to allow for greater access in tight areas while carving. Read the rest of this entry »
Rich Smithson of HELVIE KNIVES pulled a fast one on two of his Signature Knife friends by asking each one to carve a block of basswood into a knife blade holder for the other friend without telling us that we were each doing it for one another. Read the rest of this entry »
HELVIE KNIVES announces the introduction of the MINI MERTZ II ~ # 6-2 Signature Series detail knife. This new and additional version of the MINI MERTZ utilizes a different blade material and shape as well as handles shape. Read the rest of this entry »
My wife, Frances, commissioned Rich Smithson of HELVIE KNIVES to create the wood burned art depicting the logo and names of WOOD BEE CARVER Signature Knives made by Rich, Holli and Skylar Smithson who are owners and manufacturers of HELVIE KNIVES. Thanks for a cherished gift.
HELVIE KNIVES introduces two more in the Signature Series Knives. The DRONE BEE ~ # 11 has the traditional straight cutting edge blade. The CUCKOO BEE ~ # 12 has a variation of the WOOD BEE CARVER designed blade with a curved cutting edge with an extended tang. Both knife blades are made from specialty steel that has its own unique “feel of cut”. Read the rest of this entry »
Carving on the Edge is to imply that the cutting edge of the carving knife blade is what separates the wood fibers while removing a chip. The cutting edge, when magnified will reveal minute cutting teeth much like a hand saw. It is these cutting teeth that create the cutting action when the knife is used in a slicing action. The slicing cut is to follow the path of the cutting edge through the wood so that as many of the cutting teeth are utilized. In conjunction with the cutting edge teeth, the bevel on the side of the blade be it skinny or fat, provides the angle at which the cutting edge enters the wood. So it is both the slicing action and the angle of the cutting edge that work together to create a clean cut. Read the rest of this entry »
HELVIE KNIVES proudly presents…...The 2nd Annual Basswood Knife Carving Competition! There will be 3 classes to choose from:
Gnome Wizard was carved out of an inch and half square by three inch tall block of basswood. The Gnome Wizard is carved with a twist of the body, with head tilted up and a flowing beard and mustache. Such a pose presents an interesting sense of motion while the viewer’s eyes travel the twists and turns of the flowing lines. Such a piece presents a challenge of skill by figuring out what wood needs to be removed to create such a sense of movement. This project also teaches the necessary benefit of carving to basic form before ever attempting to carve any details. Such a process allows creative imagination to help form the design during the carving process that gives a special kind of freedom of creativity. Read the rest of this entry »