Spoon carving video

[Timberwolf]

Using a hook knife....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpnx9kuZeqg

And another

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rZK3WLTse4

[Ohio Mike]

Thanks

[AHill]

The first one is interesting in that he mostly uses what is essentially a hunting knife for most of the process. Not traditional, but it seems to work pretty well. More control with that knife than I would have thought.

[Timberwolf]

Same here... Properly sharpened hook knives are my tool of choice for hollowing spoon bowls.

[Arlin Eastman]

Jack

How does a person make a hook in a knife?

Then how is it sharpened?

Arlin

[Timberwolf]

Arlin, The way I do it is, I do a rough sharpening job on a piece of steel I want to become the blade...Then I heat the steel bright red {in daylight} and bend it about half way around a piece of pipe that I have clamped in my bench vise..The pipe is the diameter that I want for the hook...Then, while it is still cherry red, I quench it slowly in oil {or water, depending on the type of steel}.....I prefer the bevel to be on the outside of the blade, but I have made them with the bevel on the inside...and I have made some with a double bevel...after the steel has cooled, I "brighten" the steel with an abrasive like sandpaper, removing the oxide that forms..At that point, I temper it...I usually do that with a slow flame from the torch...I "play" the flame over the steel uniformly until the color change reaches a light "straw" yellow color.{ if one has never done it that way, an oven at ~400* will work}..At that point, the steel is tempered so that it has the best edge-holding ability, without becoming overly "brittle"..Of course, there again, it depends on the type of steel, but that's what I do when I am using O1 tool steel. From there, I do the final honing for a razor edge, and for that, I usually use my Dremel with a Cratex wheel for the inside bevel, and a fine belt on a grinder, finishing up with a leather polishing strop, for the outside..You can also sharpen the hook using the appropriate hones an/or leather wheels. . {And you can make very small LEATHER wheels for stropping the inside bevel with your Dremel.}..I can't remember ever NOT having a Dremel..I don't know how anyone does without one...

[AHill]

Hook Knives can also be purchased:

http://www.amazon.com/Morakniv-Carving-K...B00343VCCK

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/frost...knife.aspx

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/flexc...-kn26.aspx

Pinewood forge also makes very, very good hook knives, but they are more pricey and you may need to wait until he makes a batch. Hook knives come in right handed, left handed, and dual handed versions.

[Arlin Eastman]

Jack

I did not know if you used a torch or forge or the thickness of the metal you used it to bend with.

I did email Gene Henrikson who makes small forges (http://walnutforge.com/Gallery.php) and he makes some really really good ones at a less then $200

Arlin

[Arlin Eastman]

Allan

If you remember Del Stubbs the turner that is what he makes now.

http://pinewoodforge.com/

Arlin

[AHill]

Arlin Eastman said:

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Allan

If you remember Del Stubbs the turner that is what he makes now.

http://pinewoodforge.com/

Arlin

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My hook knife is a Pinewood Forge. Just offering more affordable alternatives for the rest of the crowd out there. Not sure I'd spend $200 on a hook knife, though. I can't imagine it would be 4-7x better than some of those I linked to.