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Hand Forged Wood Carving Knives Since 1987 |
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Testimonials |
| “I make native American style flutes. I have a full role of North Bay Forge tools.
I use the BN-3 bent tip double knife for hollowing out the flute bore halves. The medium draw knife
rounds the outside of the flutes better than any other tool I own. For any general carving the
SN-1 straight blade has no equal. I have often thought I could make a living with nothing more than
my knife role of North Bay Forge tools.” Russ Mead Kanab, Utah |
| “As a bassoonist who makes his own reeds I need a specific scraping-knife to do so. Jim’s specially developed
scraping-knife with its outstanding steel and perfect design is the most excellent tool for this purpose. I have
recommended this knife to my students and colleagues. Now bassoonists from Berlin to Vienna are using this great tool
for reed-making.” (My Double Edge Straight Knife is the scraping knife Christoph is referring to.) Christoph Hipper Austria |
| “The ’favorite’ carving tool is the one that you automatically pick up first on any particular project.
My ’favorite’ is the North Bay tip bent knife. I have another identical knife hidden away in case something happens to
this one.” Robert M. Johnson Seattle, Washington |
| “Jim , tools look very good. Can’t wait to use them. Thank you Jim . You may be short in common sense but sure can
make a great carving tool. Will e-mail you this weekend. John” (A letter from my twin brother after I send him some mini chisels for fine furniture repair.) John Wester Piscataway, New Jersey |
| “Well, I could not resist letting you know how much I have enjoyed using your large drawknife. I bought it from
the Japan Woodworker about three years ago. I was really intrigued with the shape of the blade when I first saw it. It just made
more sense to cut with the knife like blade instead of the high angled bevel of the conventional draw. The knife is a joy to use
and is just about the only drawknife I pick up. I have collected several draw knives over the years and for the most part the blades
are wrapped and they stay in a box. Thanks for making and an incredible drawknife.” John McElroy Covington, Georgia |
| “I recently purchased 2 straight knives from you and I am very impressed. They are so superior to anything that
I have used in the past that I will recommend them to all the wood carvers that I know. I've been carving for several years and
wish I had found your knives from the beginning.
” Joseph Hebert Gueydan, Louisiana |
| “Jim, Thanks so much for my latest order, the mini bent tip knife and the small adze blade with copper. I haven't used them yet, but I did start making a handle to fit the blade of some quarter sawn white oak I had on hand. You are truly full service - excellent tools, free shipping and great instructions with plans to help the do-it-yourselfer! I'll be ordering more as I can. Would that every toolmaker was on par with your skills and class!” Michael Minto Yorktown, VA |
| “Hi Jim, I received my knives a few days ago. They are spectacular! I've always wanted to try carving but was never sure where I wanted to start. Recently, I became very interested in bent knives. Before I found you, I had ordered a couple of hooked knives (of sorts) from another vendor, which have now been returned. I can't believe how sharp and versatile your knives are, not to mention beautiful! I have small hands, one with an arthritic thumb, but these minis are very easy for me to use. I'm finally going to learn to carve with these. Thanks a lot for your wonderful work. I'm sure I'll be purchasing again soon. I am finding that simply carving is showing me what the knives can do. Using different parts of the blade, and/or skewing the movement produces all kinds of different results! I've got a ton of cherry from a backyard tree that someone gave me for firewood. I've split off a few blocks from enormous sections of trunk and have been working on those. With every stroke, another interesting bit of grain pops out.” Barbara Fletcher Duanesburg, New York |
| “Jim, I've been using the North Bay Forge bent knife I bought from you recently. This is a great knife/tool. The more I use it, the better I like it. I found out about North Bay Forge after reading a Tactical Knives article about carving simple utensils, such as spoons, with simple hand tools, such as your everyday carry knife. In order to "dig" or "hollow" spoons out, the author indicated you needed a bent knife. The author suggested the bent knives you make and I decided to order one. I have been carving spoons etc. ever since. I built a ffire in the back yard this evening and was working on a spoon. Had the pet Malamute, Chika, for company. This tyipe of carving has to add years to your life. THANKS!” Bruce Cartwright Quantico, Virginia |
| “Hi Jim, I received my second order today. And I certainly am pleased to receive more of your knives. The scorp is quite nice, my first one ever. And the two other knives are of course superb! I am working on a spoon made of purpleheart & yellowheart both of which are some hard tropical hardwoods. Your knives have no trouble cutting through these woods. They are a joy to use. Next month is our 40th annual Santa Clara County Woodcarver,s Show. I am looking forward to telling everyone I meet there about your knives. And yes I did make my adze handle out of a flat piece of wood Eastern Cherry. A piece I found in a dumpster at a local cabinet shop! It's a shame what people throw away. Thanks again for the super knives. ” Greg Smart San Jose, California |
| “I cannot tell you how pleased I am to find your site. I have most of your
carving tools save for the two smallest scorps which I wish to order now.
These I couldn't get any longer from Japan Woodworker. I did get their last
V-gouge, however! Your tools are beyond anything I ever expected to find. Careful as I may be, they will still give me a "love bite" periodically if I am not careful. But what a pleasure these tools are to use. They are practically effortless to use. They glide through wood like no other tools I know. When I could no longer get your small scorps, I ordered some Beebe scorps. They are good, but not in the same class with what you make. I never knew how to thank you for making these tools, because I did not know how to get in touch with you. I use all 15 of my North Bay Forge tools on various projects, but I particularly love to carve spoons. Long after you and I are both gone these tools will still be the gold standard by which others can only be measured as lesser items.” Paul Schobernd Normal, Illinois |
| “I happened across your site almost accidentally and am glad I did as I love all your knives (the 4 that I own anyway).
You probably don't remember me but you may remember making me a custom hooked knife. You took a standard straight knife
and then ground it concave into a hook or talon shape. I find the hook shape indispensable and essential. That knife is one
of my very favorites and I doubt that I have done a carving without using it... and I have done a bunch of carvings since then. I have always thought that if the world ended and I could only take a handful of tools with me, it would include two of your knives.” Michael Keller Chelan, Washington |
| “As the proud owner of four of your tools I would like to thank you for
putting them out there. I just discovered your great web site and
love it. I purchased your tools from WoodCraft in Seattle and have
always wondered about the nature of North Bay Forge and wished that I
could pass on my thanks in person. God, as a sculptor and carver I
love sharp edges and appreciate what it takes to get the nature of the
metal to that point.” Tom Mautino Lynden, Washington |
| “Thanks, Jim, for the prompt response. Glad to hear everything is in stock. Hope I didn't bug you too much with all
the questions before finally placing the order. I've got to tell you that while I was searching around for the right tools to start
up my new shop, I was mightily impressed by your tools and your website in general. Once I sent off a couple of questions to you
and received such quick and thorough responses, I knew I had finally found what I was looking for! I'm really excited about putting
them to use once they arrive...
” Blair Spaulding Nevada City, California |
| “Just got my adze the other day & finally had a chance to try it out. I used a chunk of really dry, quarter-sawn
white oak & it worked wonderfully! I am pleased with how easy it is to control along with the ability to take both big chunks & thin
shavings. It is exactly what I wanted for making Windsor chairs. Thanks again for your great work.
” Bruce Dorn Portland, Oregon |
| “Bonjour Jim Tes outils sont une merveilleuse découverte, merci au talentueux forgeron ! La résistance du tranchant par rapport à la finesse de la lame est exceptionnelle. L'herminette avec son biseau extérieur (non conventionnel pour un européen) est d'une redoutable efficacité, le bois des Alpes ne peut plus s'en passer! Voici une nouvelle commande. Je paie 157$ par la poste. OK? Meilleures salutations Claude Veuillet Switzerland” Translation: “Hello Jim Your tools are marvellous discovered, thank you with the talented blacksmith! The resistance of the edge compared to the smoothness of the blade is exceptional. The adze with its external bevel (nonconventional for an European) is of a frightening effectiveness, the wood of the Alps cannot occur some more! Here a new order. I pay 157$ by the post office. OK? Better greetings, Claude Veuillet Switzerland” |
| “Jim, I just got my bent knife in the mail - faster than expected - and I was floored at how beautifully made it is. I've spent a little time at the forge myself and I know how hard it is to make something this perfect. You made it look effortless. I look forward to using it. I have a feeling that this is going to be one of those special tools, like the favorite ones that I keep coming back to, the ones that fall home in my hand. Blessed be the toolmakers.” Philip S Plumbo Maplewood, Minnesota |
| “Dear Jim: A couple of months ago, I purchased a chef's knife from you. My husband put it back for my birthday and today is the day! I had only seen the knife pictured on your website. It was beautiful there, but SO much more beautiful in person. I love the hand-forged marks and blueing on the blade, the smooth handle and the knowledge that a true craftsman made this knife. So far I have made one cut with it - a slice of my homemade sourdough bread. A good start, I think. I cant wait to try it on meat etc. and running a cautious finger along the razor sharp edge is irresistable. One of your paring knives is next on my list of must-haves. Thank you very much.” Chris Hanner Snellville, Georgia |
| “Hi Jim, During the last year your knives turned out to be my favorites. For detailed carving the 4 bent knives and the SN 2 are the ones I normally choose. Especially because they are easily sharpend and work precisely with a clear cut. But I do miss a smaller straight knife. At the moment I am working with a self-made knife I bought from a professional carver. But it doesn't get sharp anymore. I did try everything. And I get crazy on that....! I would like to order your small straight knife SND and to get the shipping with it the mBN-1 and mBN- 3 as well.” Dagmar Winzer Germany |
| “Jim, Attached are photos of the wood that I have been carving with your tools and photos of the kids in the gym where I teach. The lessons that are the foundation of good teaching are inherent in your tools. Create a good tool so that the task can be met in the most efficient way. For twelve years I have used your micro drawknives straight, curved and v shaped on every carving project. Each time I reach for one of your tools I have the pleasure of remembering all those years of good experience. As a coach I am working to accomplish the same goals for my students. Their bodies and minds bring them pleasure each time they put them to a task and each success becomes another good feeling. For twenty-four years we have maintained sliding scale tuition so that kids of all different backgrounds can learn to give their full attention to the task they have committed themselves to. With your tools I make the same pleasurable commitment. I spend many long hours carving knowing that this consistent good experience will be evident in the tree carving, in my character and in my relationships with my students. I hope that the photos of the trees, the children and this writing convey to you my appreciation for your good work.” Rudy Van Daele New York, New York |
| “Dear Jim, My carvings are utensils (forks, spoons) and one or two foot long sculptures. I have a small selection of tools for use without a mallet: jackknives, hand gouges and chisels, chip carving tools, your large bent knives (tip and deep: I need to get a "general"), and your small bent knives (tip and shallow). The small tip bent knife has, for the work I do, made every other tool into a special-purpose item, because I have that one in my hand 99% of the time. I may put it down to pick up a V-gouge or a veiner, but a few cuts later it's back in my hands. It's not only the shape of the blade that proves so useful, but the fact that the blade is short; I'm left-handed, yet my right thumb is used as a pusher or pivot on essentially every cut, and the blade gets that right thumb tip close to the cut, yet safely against the wooden handle. As it has two edges with the same sweep, I can remove material where the plane of the cut is tangent to the grain by releasing first one side of the chip and then the other. There are more good features of the Mini Tip Bent Knife, too, but explaining them would require a small essay. Thanks for the fine tools, ” Eben Oldmixon Hyde Park, New York |
| “Jim, I've been using my new double forge straight knife extensively the last 2 nights on a small carving in apple wood. I want to say again how wonderful the knife is. The edge seems unbeatable and I can hold the blade as if I'm holding a pencil for really detailed work--man, I love it.” Carey Bagdassarian Williamsburg, Virginia |
| “Hi Jim, I just received the general bent knife and the straight knife and at the first bit of free time I tried them out on a couple of spoons I was making. Wow! I am impressed with them! I am a builder by trade so I use tools for a living. What a joy to shape wood with such elegantly crafted, perfectly sharp gems! I hesitated on buying them for a few years partly because I try to be sensible about tool purchases-so easy to go overboard! But I finally came up with a reasonable excuse to buy them-so glad I did!! I am a little worried about the sharpening, but your enclosed advice "be patient with yourself" really struck a cord with me. Thanks for including it. I will learn how to maintain a keen edge. Thanks so much,” William S Washbourne Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| “Jim - I took a class with Rip Mann in June - LOVED IT! I did purchase your adz, and love it dearly. I bought the lighter one but now want a heavier one. I am working on my third bowl since the June 24 class and all of my friends and family want one - it is great fun to be so creative! I do love your product, it's amazing!!! Thanks so much,” Crystal Earley Greensboro, North Carolina |
| “Hi, I have 2 of your knives..the double edged ones and find I'm using them more than any other knife that I have. I've looked at your pages on sharpening etc and was pleased to noted I seem to have followed your ideas. I'll be ordering one or two more knives - when my wife gets over my recent purchase but meantime I'd like to sign up for newsletters. Many thanks” Tom Millar New Zealand |
| “Jim, I'm building a square-hewn log cabin up in Michigan' U.P. right now. It's a style that goes way way back up here where the logs are scribed and mated together along their entire length with no chinking. The general bent knife I've got has proven to be an excellent fine-detail follow up to the axe for cutting the lateral groove where the logs mate together. After running a several thousand feet of wood through the blade, I've decided it's an incredible tool. Thank you!” Phil Taylor Copper Harbor, Michigan |
| “Jim, I was very happy to come across your webpage because for years I've been wanting to tell you how much I appreciate the quality of your knives. I purchased several of your knives from Hardwicks in Seattle, my favorite tool store, some years ago. I've been woodcarving professionally for 25 years primarily carving the decorative carvings for pipe organs and made thousands of stop cuts with your knives. Not once has the tip ever broken or the blade come loose from the handle. I actually don't have to sharpen that often. The blades stay extremely sharp. I've never experienced such quality in a knife.” Jude Fritts Olympia, Washington |
| “Jim, I recently got my order from you and last night used the large draw knife to remove the sap wood off a 9' yellow cedar log. That draw knife is the BEST hand tool for wood that I have ever used!!! Thanks!” Dave Moore Sitka, Alaska |
| “Hi Jim, Well my first project with your knives isn't finished yet but i thought i'd make these photographs for you now. The wood is spalted maple burl. Some parts are even a little more than spalted, which, combined with the burl grain makes carving difficult and delicate. I doubt I could have done it without your knives. Best Regards,” Roger Newton New York, NY |
| “Hello, Jim, I just spent an absolutely wonderful hour using the latest North Bay Forge tool to join my collection- your mini draw knife. This tool- like the other North Bay carving tools I own - is truly a joy to use. It fits perfectly in my hand, it is sharper than I can believe, and seems to be able to read my mind and cut just exactly what I'm trying to cut- no more, and no less. Since this is the first time I've ever used a draw knife, I certainly can't attribute this amazing tendency to my own skill; the tool gets all the credit. Many, many, many thanks for building such fantastic hand tools. In this age of cheap, imported trash, it is particularly gratifying to be able to show off a project and say "yep, I made it myself- using the finest hand-made tools on the planet. Please keep up the good work- you are indeed a credit to your craft, and your tools are making it possible for countless people to produce their very best carvings. With Thanks and Deep Admiration,” Paul Thomas Seattle, Washington |
| “Aloha Jim, I bought a few of your knives maybe 15 years ago and I love them; they're still so beautiful! I'm suggesting to printmaking classmates that we buy one or two as an end-of-semester present for our teacher, as tools for making woodcut prints, and I looked through your website, trying to find the "Mini V Scorp" which is so nice for that. I didn't see it, though. Do you still make them? Were there other mini scorps too? I'm so glad to see that you're still making tools and the business seems to be doing well. All the best,” David Strauch Honolulu, Hawaii |
| “Hi Jim: Just to let you know I will be teaching a Seminar at Lee Valley Tools in Feb. and have just put in an order for 6 or you gen. bent knives; they are still the best around and I look forward to sharing them with others; I have found a couple of good straight knives in their catalogue that will do for beginners and if they want more heavy duty ones later, they will see yours that i still have and can order them from you direct. Hope you are having a pleasant holiday time and that the coming year is a good one for you.” Loretta Joseph British Columbia, Canada |
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My carving knives are intended for serious wood carvers. They are razor sharp and can be very dangerous if used improperly. Please be careful and don't allow young people to use them unsupervised. Your satisfaction is fully guaranteed. If you have a problem of any kind with one of my knives, please let me know. I will make it right with you. |
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