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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 |
| “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 fire in the back yard this evening and was working on a spoon. Had the pet Malamute, Chika, for company. This type of carving has to add years to your life. THANKS!” Bruce Cartwright Quantico, Virginia |
| “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 |
| “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 alot 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 |
| “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” |
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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. |