Drawknives

Posted by Easy WoodCraft on

Apr 24, 2017

Many woodworkers will never use a drawknife (top photo). It's a big, exposed blade, and the cut is totally hand-controlled. But in the hands of a skilled craftsman, it can do amazing things. I had the pleasure of sitting in on a class with master chairmaker Brian Boggs and was simply amazed at what he could do with just a drawknife and a spokeshave. He makes exquisite chairs that are as comfortable as they are beautiful. And he personally guarantees that they'll outlast the owner.

A drawknife is basically a long, thin blade with tangs on the ends that are bent to fit into wood handles (bottom drawing). The blade can be straight or curved, and handles are long and straight, turned, or even small knobs. On my great-grandfather's drawknife (bottom drawknife in top photo), the handles are adjustable: They can be turned in toward the blade to protect the edge and allow it to slip more easily into a toolbox.

There's a lot of debate over using a drawknife with the bevel up versus down. I say, use what feels best; experiment to find which gives you better control. As with many other tools, a skewed cut will produce more of a shearing cut to cleanly cut wood fibers (middle photo). In my opinion, the big challenge to a drawknife is sharpening one. Start by flattening the back: Rub a

sharpening stone on the back of the drawknife in small, circular strokes. If the bevel needs reshaping, it may be easier to use a portable belt sander than a grinding wheel. Honing is best done by rubbing the stone on the blade instead of the blade on the stone.

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