An experimental rawhide wrapped version of a traditional Woodlands bent knife for carving paddles and canoe components.
This is a one-handed draw knife based on the woodlands crooked knife design and construction. The knife is gripped palm up with the thumb resting along the crooked part of the handle, blade facing the user with flat side down. The technique allows for removing very controlled shavings while sighting along the work to maintain visual feedback.
The blade was hand forged from a piece of circular concrete cutting saw blade and the handle is a naturally bent piece of Alder wrapped with hand prepared rawhide. A carved groove in the handle holds the blade fast to prevent lateral movement while a notch retains the end of the tang to prevent it slipping out. Blade length is approximately 5″ and over all length is about 13″. The blade has a hand rubbed combination wax finish.
Material: Reclaimed saw steel, Alder driftwood, natural rawhide
This piece is in a private collection on Vancouver Island.
