I've built a hand-full of glass bows and recently had the only osage on my property get damaged by a backhoe, so the only logical thing to do is make my kids some simple selfbows out of it. Which is an excuse to buy or make a tool I do not own yet, a draw knife. ( inexcusable I know!)so my question to all you stave shavers is what kind do you prefer? Brand , style , curved , straight? Thanks folks

I have a dozen or more, from 4" blades to 12", various makes and models, but my favorites and most used have 8" blades with a gentle curve, handles slightly angled outward. That angle helps reduce fatigue a little when I'm really reefing on osage for a few days. Handles that point straight back at me make it feel like I have to grip them tighter so my hands don't slip off.

8-10" Snow & Nealley drawknives are some of my favorites. They don't make them anymore, but they show up on ebay sometimes. I have an old 8" curved Pexto that I like a lot too.

There are some really nice used drawknives to be found on ebay, but there's a lot of rough ones that should be avoided. Study the pictures closely. Avoid any with the slightest pitting. If the seller mentions that the handles are nice and tight, that's a good sign.

Speaking of making drawknives... I always thought that would be cool, and it's definitely on my to-do list. I have some tool steel set aside for them, just haven't gotten a roundtoit yet.

The old fashioned U shaped knife works quite well. They really don't wear out, so you can likely get a decent one on ebay pretty cheap.

most of the antique/junk shops around here have several in various conditions usually for 20 or less and you can look it over............ used them to skin many,many,many locust posts when in highschool........

Might try one of the woodworking stores like Rockler or Woodcraft. Other wise Lei Nelison but one there could set you back a bit. They are still used by “Trad” woodworkers for making chair and table legs.

13" or 10" option. For reference:

https://www.labonville.com/13-Draw-Shave--882_p_1023.html

I'm a collector of drawknives. I've got around 50 hanging in my shop. All antiques. My daily driver is an 8" model. I like a slight curve to the blade for chasing rings. My recommendation is to find an old one on Ebay or at a local junk/antique store. Look for one with tight handles and a sharp edge with no chips out of it. When you get one take care of the edge. I slide a section of bike inner tube over mine before I put it in my tool box. I do the same thing for my rasps and files. My tools never touch metal.

I'd take a 100 year old draw knife over a new one every time. The new ones I've seen look like would need sharpening after each bow.

I forgot to say that the drawknife is probably my favorite tool. The design hasn't changed since the 1800's or before. I have used them to rip the sapwood off of hundreds of osage staves.

My favorite is my great-grandfather's Zemoon. I have no idea how old it is. The ones I use most are whatever I can find at farm auctions.

I have 3 iv bought at junk sales,flea markets. I use the them alot, i have one old one,,,they are all old...that holds an unbelievable arm hair shaving edge,,i mean its it's scary.

I like a slight curve, bevel down, razor sharp and at least 60-70 years old. Like Clint said, the new ones I've handled are cheezy, cheap steel.

"I slide a section of bike inner tube over mine before I put it in my tool box. I do the same thing for my rasps and files." This makes so much sense! I have a bunch of old bicycle tubes, use 'em for a variety of things, but never thought of this one... I've just covered my rasps in a rag or cardboard or something. Now I've got something to do tonight and tomorrow; we're expecting heavy rain then 6" of snow!

I like a slight curve and I like it razor sharp. I use it bevel up. When I'm done I sharpen it with a stone on both side and wrap it in newspaper. Jawge

I wouldn't wrap them in newspaper around here George. With the humidity we have in the summer rust would be a big problem. Seen it too often with tools around paper or cardboard.

Here's mine. I have not yet used it, but I got it sharp and ready for a hackberry tree trunk, not stave, that I have had down in the basement for 4 or 5 years.

Joe

Frisky is that stamped "Lakeside" by chance?

I have a dehumidifier in my work area. I've been doing that for years to protect the blade. Jawge

Lakeside is a good brand. I've got one of those.

I'll go check the brand, as I forgot, but I don't think it is. I think it's from a hardware store in St. Louis.

Joe

Mine is from Bridge Tool Co. and has 12 (for 12") and Best Cast Steel stamped on it. It's from St. Louis.

Joe

Thanks for looking. It looks very much like my Lakeside. Fantastic knife.

I custom make draw knives for bowyers. If you're interested let me know.

You can usually find them cheap at rummage sales or flea markets.

Hanforged, how about posting some pictures and info of your drawknives? I'd love to see them and hear more about them.

I like a straight one with the handles and the blade on the same plane, no droopy handles.

Everyone has a different preference, my go to drawknife is a large debarking drawknife, others like a dainty one.

The one you learn on will be the one you like no matter what it's configuration is. With a drawknife there is a learning curve on using one properly. I can chase the finest rings with my goliath because that is the drawknife I learned on.

Here are the ones I actually use, I have a number of others I have collected over the years.

Lousy picture, here is another, my debarking drawknife is on top.

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