At a flea market recently I picked up a draw knife a few pocket knives and a Remington Clay bird thrower. My question is how can you tell a good draw knife? This is then 4th one I have found. But I can’t find any makers marks on any of them. So how do you tell a good one from a not so good one?

By the looks of the handles, I would say it was a good one for someone or someones. Thats really cool. Ive never had one, but I think I should for some reason

Sharpen it and use it. Which sounds like a smart butt answer but it isn't.

That looks like a pretty old one. And I personally haven't found one of those that was lacking in quality.

The old ones have great steel sharpen it up and make some shavings. Chad

So it’s not unusual for them not to have a makers Mark?

Sometimes you have to look really close. Most have marks on them, but not all. And just because they don't, doesn't mean they're not a good brand. One of my favorite modern brands put stickers on them which didn't last long with any use. Some of the branding marks on the good quality older ones were lightly done and can be impossible to see under the patina that comes with age.

When looking at any used drawknife, check that the handles are rock solid tight, that there is no pitting, and that it wasn't screwed up by someone who didn't know how to sharpen a drawknife. The back of the blade should be flat and smooth, with just the main bevel on the opposite side. The main bevel should be smooth and flat as well. I've seen some that where attacked with a hand grinder, no thanks. I don't pass on any just because they're old or were used, I like those with some history, but I only consider those that were well cared for because they do nicer work and that's how they'll be treated while I have them. I work them hard, but only the way they were supposed to be used, not as a hammer or pry bar. I figure mine will all outlive me, and maybe someday someone will be grateful I took care of them too.

Thank you everyone for all the input. And thanks for all the information Jeff. I know you know your draw knives. :)

name on this one T.H.Witherby very small lettering,

My draw knife is 12" and made by Bridge Tool Co. Handles are solid, back of blade is flat and bevel looks fine. Steel is called "Best Cast Steel" and takes an excellent edge.

Joe

The only bad ones are new ones, some are clumsy. Tools years ago were made to be used for hours on end. As long as the drawknife handles are not beat up or the blade isn’t used up most are fine..

If it was well cared for a good one will take and hold a sharp edge.Poor steel wont.Pretty much the same as new cutting tools.

Vintage drawknives all tend to be OK unless they were abused, my definition of a drawknife is if it sharpens and cuts and the handles are tight it's OK.

There are no bad drawknives. A friend gave me these two a while back and they cleaned up nicely. The smaller one is my go to drawknife when roughing out decoys. I do have a small modern German made drawknife for finer work. The secret is once sharpened, the bevel established, I just touch them up on a large piece of leather with compound on it. They never see a stone again.

This was the original condition.

I like your edge marking tool there, I have one just like it, with the wood thumb screw too. I`ll have to find a draw knife to keep up with the Joneses :)

That marking tool is an antique and I have no idea where or when I acquired it. I use it heavily carving though. Most carvers have the ability to use just their ring finger as a guide to mark a center line but I struggle to do that.

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