The Best Wood Carving Knives for 2024

Having the best wood carving knives in your tool collection for your wood carving and woodworking projects is essential if you want to achieve that professional, high quality look to your work. They are used for shaping and sculpting wooden materials, whether for decorative purposes, functional applications, or both.

With their sharp blades and specialized shapes, these knives enable precision cuts, delicate details, and smooth curves in your work. A wide variety of carving knives are available, each with its own unique features, and choosing the right one for your needs requires careful consideration.

What to Look for When Choosing a Wood Carving Knife

There’s a few key factors that you should always consider when shopping for the best wood carving knives. First and foremost, I pay attention to the material of the blade. High carbon steel is my go-to choice because it holds an edge well and is easy to sharpen, but I also consider stainless steel for its resistance to rust and corrosion.

Next, I consider the shape of the blade. Different shapes are better suited for different types of wood carving, so I choose a blade that will work well for the project at hand. For example, a straight, narrow blade is good for making fine, detailed cuts, while a wider, more rounded blade is better for roughing out large areas of wood.

As with all wood carving tools I also take the length of the blade into account. Longer blades are good for making deep cuts and reaching into tight spaces, while shorter blades are easier to control for finer work.

The design of the handle is also important to me. I look for a knife with a comfortable and secure grip and whether it’s made from wood or synthetic materials like plastic or rubber.

In this review, we will take a closer look at some of the best wood carving knives on the market, examining their strengths and weaknesses, to help you make an informed decision when it comes to adding one to your toolkit.

1. Morakniv Wood Carving Knife 106

Starting off our review of the best wood carving knives is the Morakniv Wood Carving Knife 106 it’s a reliable tool for any wood carving enthusiast. The blade is made of stainless steel, a durable and corrosion-resistant material that is able to maintain its sharp edge for long periods of time. The blade has a thickness of 0.08 inches and a length of 3.2 inches, it’s a great knife for detailed wood carving and shaping.

The handle of the knife is made of oiled birch wood, a strong and durable material that is comfortable to hold and easy to grip. The handle is ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in the hand, reducing strain and fatigue during long carving sessions.

The blade is a plain edge, which is ideal for smooth, precise cuts and fine detailing. It is also easy to sharpen, ensuring that the blade stays sharp and ready to use at all times.

The Morakniv Wood Carving Knife 106 is designed and manufactured in Sweden, a country known for its high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. The knife comes with a limited lifetime manufacturer’s warranty, giving you peace of mind that it is built to last.

What We Like:

• Durable Blade Material – The blade is made of stainless steel, a material that is known for its resistance to corrosion and ability to maintain its sharpness over time. This makes it a reliable tool for wood carving enthusiasts who want to avoid the hassle of frequently replacing their knife.
• Ergonomic Handle – The handle of the knife is made of oiled birch wood, a durable material that provides a comfortable and secure grip. It is ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in the hand, which helps to reduce strain and fatigue during long carving sessions. This makes it an ideal choice for hobbyists and professionals who plan to spend extended periods of time carving.
• Precise Cuts – The plain edge of the blade is ideal for making smooth and precise cuts, making it a great choice for detailed wood carving and shaping. This is especially important for hobbyists and professionals who want to achieve a high level of detail and accuracy in their work.
• Easy to Sharpen – The blade is easy to sharpen, ensuring that it stays sharp and ready to use at all times. This is important for users who don’t want to spend time and money on frequent replacements or complicated sharpening processes.
• High-Quality Craftsmanship – The Morakniv Wood Carving Knife 106 is designed and manufactured in Sweden, a country known for its high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. This gives users peace of mind that they are purchasing a tool that is built to last and made with care.

Things to Consider:

• Cost – The wood carving knife may be more expensive than other options on the market, making it a less affordable option for some users who are working with a limited budget.

2. BeaverCraft Sloyd Knife C4s

The BeaverCraft Sloyd Knife C4s is a valuable tool to have in any carving kit. The blade is made of high-carbon steel, a material that is known for its strength and durability. It is able to maintain a sharp edge for long periods of time, making it ideal for detailed carving and shaping.

The blade is specifically designed for wood carving, green woodworking, wood whittling, and roughing wood out. The thin pointed tip of the blade is perfect for delicate cutting and working in tight areas, while the rounded part of the blade allows for cutting in hollow areas and making rolled, slicing cuts, which makes the knife suitable for a wide range of wood carving projects.

The handle is made of oak wood, a strong and durable material that is comfortable to hold and easy to grip. The ergonomic design of the handle reduces strain and fatigue during long carving sessions, making it a pleasure to use.

In terms of durability it does not disappoint. The blade is hardened to RC 58-60, ensuring that it is able to cut smoothly and cleanly through even the toughest wood.

Size wise the wood carving knife is approximately 8 inches, and it comes with a genuine leather sheath for easy storage and transport. It has to be said that this knife is a reliable and versatile tool that is perfect for any wood carving project. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, this knife is sure to become a valuable addition to your wood carving toolkit.

What We Like:

• Blade Material – The blade is made of high-carbon steel, which is known for its strength and durability. This makes it ideal for wood carving projects.
• Blade Design – The blade is specifically designed for wood carving and is suitable for a wide range of projects with its thin pointed tip and rounded part of the blade.
• Handle Material – The handle is made of oak wood, which is strong, durable, and comfortable to hold and grip.
• Ergonomic Design – The ergonomic design of the handle reduces strain and fatigue during long carving sessions, making it a pleasure to use.
• Durability – The blade is hardened to RC 58-60, ensuring that it can cut smoothly and cleanly through even the toughest wood.

Things to Consider:

• Blade Sharpness – The blade is made of high-carbon steel, which may require more frequent sharpening than other materials.
• Not Cheap – The knife may be more expensive than other wood carving knives on the market, which may be a consideration for those on a budget.

3. Flexcut Roughing Knife

You’re sure to find that the Flexcut Roughing Knife is an invaluable tool to have in your wood carving tool kit. The 1-3/4 inch super sharp straight edged blade is made of 1095 high carbon steel, a material that is super strong and durable. The blade is able to hold its edge for extended periods of time, making it a reliable choice for roughing out the shape of my projects.

You’ll find that its ergonomic ash hardwood handle is comfortable to hold and easy to grip, which is especially important when using the knife for long periods of time. The ergonomic design reduces strain on my hand and wrist, allowing me to work more efficiently and comfortably.

The Flexcut Roughing Knife is a versatile tool that can be used for a wide range of wood carving projects as the larger blade size makes quick work of shaping the rough outline of my project, and the razor-sharp edge ensures that I can make precise and clean cuts. Whether I’m working on a small detail or roughing out a large piece of wood, this knife has proven to be a valuable asset in my toolkit.

This is a reliable and efficient tool that will become an essential part of your wood carving process, that’s why it was included in this review of the best wood carving knives. Its durability and versatility make it a valuable addition to any wood carver’s toolkit, and the fact that it is made in the USA is an added bonus.

What We Like:

• High-Carbon Steel Blade – The blade is made of 1095 high-carbon steel, a material known for its strength and durability, making it a reliable tool for roughing out the shape of wood carving projects.
• Comfortable Handle – The ergonomic ash hardwood handle is comfortable to hold and easy to grip, reducing strain and fatigue during long carving sessions.
• Great Roughing Out Knife – The larger blade size makes quick work of shaping the rough outline of wood carving projects and the razor-sharp edge ensures precise and clean cuts.
• Reliable – Proven to be a valuable asset in the toolkit for both small and large wood carving projects.

Things to Consider:

• Purpose – The Flexcut roughing knife is specifically designed for roughing out the shape of projects, so it may not be suitable for all stages of the carving process.
• Blade Maintenance – The high-carbon steel blade requires proper maintenance and sharpening to retain its sharp edge.

4. Morakniv Wood Carving Knife 120

Popping up again in this review of the best wood carving knives is a knife from morakniv, and I have to say that the Morakniv Wood Carving Knife 120 is a real gem. This versatile work knife is perfect for all sorts of woodworking, whittling, and carving.

One of the things that I love about this knife is its barrel-shaped wooden handle. It’s comfortable to hold and gives me a lot of control over the blade. The tapered blade is made of carbon steel, which is strong and durable. It’s easy to re-sharpen, so I can keep using it over and over again without any issues. The blade is 3.25 inches long, which is great for all sorts of carving projects.

The handle is made of oiled Scandinavian birch wood, which is both comfortable to hold and carefully balanced. It’s a full-tang knife, which means that the blade and handle are one continuous piece, making it extra durable.

In terms of specifications, the blade is 120 is 2.4 inches long and 0.1 inches thick. The total length of the knife is 9.1 inches, and it weighs just 2.5 ounces with the sheath. It’s a lightweight and easy-to-use knife that’s perfect for all sorts of wood carving projects.

So if you’re looking for a reliable and versatile wood carving knife, the Morakniv Wood Carving Knife 120 is a great choice. Whether you’re a novice wood carver, craftsperson or an experienced carver, this knife is sure to become a welcome addition to your toolkit.

What We Like:

• Versatile Carving Knife – This wood carving knife is perfect for a wide range of woodworking, whittling, and carving projects.
• Comfortable Handle – The barrel-shaped wooden handle is comfortable to hold and gives a lot of control over the blade.
• Durable Blade – The tapered blade is made of carbon steel, which is strong and durable. It’s also easy to re-sharpen when you need to.
• Full-Tang Design – The blade and handle are one continuous piece, making the wood carving knife extra durable.

Things to Consider:

• Handle Maintenance – The wooden handle may need to be oiled regularly to maintain its appearance and durability.

5. Stryi Woodcarving Detail Knife

I have to say that you can never have too many wood carving tools in your tool lit, and that’s why the Stryi Woodcarving Detail Knife should be in your tool kit too. The blade of this knife is made of chromium-contained alloy steel U8 (W1-7), which is known for its strength and durability. It is hardened to 60-62 Hrc, ensuring that it maintains its sharp edge for longer periods of time. The blade is well-polished and professionally sharpened, making it easy to glide through the cut and achieve precise, clean results.

The thin, pointed tip of the blade is perfect for carving fine details and working in tight spaces. It is ideal for creating miniature carvings, intricate fruit and vegetable carvings, and other detailed projects. The blade has a 15-degree angle spearhead, which allows for a wide range of cutting angles and makes it easier to reach into corners and crevices.

The handle is made of polished and stained oak wood that has been treated with linseed oil, It’s comfortable to hold and provides a secure grip, even when carving for extended periods of time. In terms of dimensions, the blade of the knife is 1.57 inches long and 0.08 inches thick, while the total length of the knife is 6.7 inches. It is a lightweight and easy-to-handle knife that is absolutely perfect for detail work.

The Stryi Woodcarving Detail Knife is a reliable and efficient tool that is essential for any wood carver due to It’s versatility and precision, which makes it a valuable addition to any carving kit, and that’s why it is included in this review of the best wood carving knives. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced pro, this knife is sure to become an indispensable part of your toolkit.

What We Like:

• Chromium-Contained Alloy Steel U8 Blade – The blade is made of strong and durable material, which maintains its sharp edge for longer periods of time.
• Professional Sharpening – The blade is well-polished and professionally sharpened, making it easy to glide through cuts and achieve precise, clean results.
• Thin, Pointed Tip – The thin, pointed tip is ideal for carving fine details and working in tight spaces.
• Comfortable Oak Wood Handle – The handle is made of polished and stained oak wood treated with linseed oil, providing a comfortable and secure grip.
• Lightweight and Easy to Handle – The knife is lightweight and easy to handle, making it perfect for detail work.

Things to Consider:

• Blade Size – The blade is only 1.57 inches long, making it better suited for detailed wood carving projects.

6. BeaverCraft Cutting Knife C2 6.5″ Whittling Knife

This compact whittling knife just had to be included, it is perfect for tackling small workpieces and intricate details. The thin, pointed tip allows you to make precise cuts with ease, and the sharp blade glides through the wood smoothly, leaving clean and precise lines.

This wood carving knife has a comfortable handle, made of hardwood oak and finished with natural linseed oil, it fits snugly in your hand and provides a secure grip. The ergonomic design of the handle reduces strain on the hand and wrist, allowing you to work efficiently and comfortably for long periods of time.

The blade is made of high-carbon steel, which is strong and durable. It is sharpened and polished straight out of the box, so it’s ready to use as soon as you get it. This is a major convenience, as you don’t have to spend time sharpening and polishing the blade before you can use it. The blade is sharp enough to tackle even the toughest woods with ease, and it holds its edge well over time.

In terms of size, the BeaverCraft Cutting Knife C2 is a compact and versatile tool. The blade measures 1.6 inches in length, making it perfect for small projects and intricate details. The overall length of the knife is 8.27 inches, which is a good size for comfortable handling and control, and the knife is surprisingly lightweight, weighing in at just 0.02 pounds.

What We Like:

• Precision Cutting – The thin, pointed tip of the blade allows for precise cuts and intricate details.
• Comfortable Handle – The hardwood oak handle is finished with natural linseed oil, providing a secure and comfortable grip.
• High-Carbon Steel Blade – The blade is made of strong and durable high-carbon steel, ready to use straight out of the box.
• Compact Size – The 1.6-inch blade length and overall 8.27-inch length make it perfect for small projects and comfortable handling.
• Lightweight Design – Weighing in at only 0.02 pounds, this knife is easy to handle and maneuver for extended periods of time.

Things to Consider:

• Blade Maintenance – As with any sharp tool, regular maintenance of the blade may be necessary to keep it in top condition.