Rich, Holli and Skylar Smithson own and manufacture HELVIE KNIVES that have become very popular and well respected within the carving community. They make a wide range of carving knives with various handle material and shapes along with blade shapes and sizes. In their Signature Series they make several knives with blades designed by the WOOD BEE CARVER. Rich does the wood burning art work on the handles which gives a very distinctive look to excellent carving knives.
HELVIE KNIVES announces additions to the Series # 3 of the Signature Knives with two additional blade shapes to join the original # 3 detail blade.. Series # 3 – 1 is a detail version of the larger Series # 1 Signature knife. Series # 3 – 2 is a detail version of the larger series # 2 Signature knife with a scimitar blade shape. Read the rest of this entry »
Dave Lyons, maker of the famous Lyons Knives is now making two knives using the blade design developed by the WOOD BEE CARVER. Each blade is fashioned in a beautiful handle distinctive of a Lyons Knife. The handle fits comfortably in the cradle of the palm of the hand and fingers to allow for long periods of carving activity and can be easily rotated in the hand for guiding the cutting edge with cuts upside down, sideways or right side up. WBC-1 is the smaller version of a scimitar blade with an extended tang to allow for longer reach of the cutting edge as well as a place for the index finger to wrap around for close up detail carving. WBC – 2 is a larger scimitar blade with an extended tang for longer reach and use of entire blade. Both blades are designed for slicing cuts in a push stroke and a pull stroke.
To order for purchase either knife contact Dave either by telephone at 937-426-0085 or by email dlyonsl@msn.com keeping in mind that each knife is custom made so allow time for each knife to be made. Read the rest of this entry »
Rich, Holli and daughter Skylar Smithson are owners and manufacturers of Helvie Knives which includes their signature series. The carving of Cinderella utilized three Signature Knives in carving a ten inch tall Cinderella on a two and a quarter inch by four and a quarter inch base. Skylar especially likes the Princess characters of Disney creation and is the recipient of this carving to add to her collection as a three and half year old who loves wood carvings.
Every carving project is a learning experience in which the carver attempts to create the best features of a particular subject. Carving the female face is more of a challenge than doing a caricature of a male face because female features are soft while the male face has hard lines. So even though Skylar immediately recognized the carving as being Cinderella by saying “It is HER,” yet from this carver’s perspective the face is not as soft, feminine or as youthful as had been hoped. So it is back to trying again on the next feminine project to carve the face closer to as it should be. This is another example that carving is an every growing and learning experience with each carving being simply a “practice piece” from which to continue to do one’s best. Read the rest of this entry »
Bud Murray and his wife Carol live in Camdenton, MO where they both carve and Bud makes carving knives and carving tools. Shortly after he began carving over twenty years ago, Bud began to make his own knives. A carving friend in Georgia made one for him and then taught him how to makes knives. Like carving, making knives grows with experience and with experience grows quality. A Murray knife has gained a reputation as a quality carving knife over the years. Murray Knives and Carving Tools are made by a carver for carvers and it does not get any better than that.
For almost two years now Bud has been making knives for the WOOD BEE CARVER according to his blade design and pistol grip handle. These knives are designed for Whittle-Carving style of utilizing the slicing cut as often as possible.
Used planer blades from the lumber industry is what Bud uses for the shaping and sharping of the blades that are mounted in either Walnut or China Berry wooden handles custom shaped by Bud. The photos that follow show a portion of his basement work shop area where the knives are transformed from high carbon tool steel into a functional carving knife. Bud uses grinders for stock removal in the shaping of each blade and then moves on to other motorized tools to continue the sharpening process. Finally, he strops by hand the finished blade on a series of finish abrasive paper held flat in specially designed holding devices. A final buffing brings the knife to the next stage of testing for carve ability which completes the final process. The wooden handles are treated with tung oil and then waxed for durability. Read the rest of this entry »
Rich Smithson along with his wife Holli and daughter Skylar own and manufacture Helvie Knives. Besides making popular carving knives, Rich is also an artist who decorates many special edition knife handles with his wood burning creations. Read the rest of this entry »
HELVIE KNIVES proudly presents …. A BASSWOOD KNIFE HANDLE CARVING CONTEST. There will be two classes from which to choose: an Intermediate Class and an Open Class. Intermediate Class is usually for beginner carvers or for people who have less than a few years carving experience. The Open Class is for everyone, regardless of experience. Read the rest of this entry »
Helvie Knives makes four knives according to the WOOD BEE CARVER’s design to the Signature Series of specialty knives. Rich Smithson and his wife Holli and daughter Skylar are the owners and manufacturers of the Helvie Knives line of carving knives. The Signature Series are handled with cherry wood receiving the art work of Rich who wood burns and paints the signature and logo on each knife. Read the rest of this entry »
Bud Murray makes four knives according to the WOOD BEE CARVER’s design in four different blade sizes.
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