Using a Woodworker’s Knife

You hold the knife by gripping around the handle, rest your thumb on the side and use your index finger to apply pressure to the top of the handle, this will allow you to vary the pressure, and therefore the depth of the cut and maintain firm control of the knife. This is made easier when you have a shorter handle. When using the knife it is almost always used against a straight edge for guidance and precision. This is most commonly the square, however it can be anything solid with a smooth edge.

When you are creating a line with a knife the first pass should be taken very lightly and carefully. Both the grain of the wood and excess pressure can lead to the knife moving slightly from the intended course. After the initial pass, a heavier second and third pass can be made to deepen the cut.

Using a Woodworker’s Knife


Further Reading

To read more on the woodworker’s knife, we recommend the following from Paul’s blog:

My Knife Is Unique

More About Your Joinery Knife

More About Your Knife

My Minimalist Tool List- The Woodworker’s Knife

Knives Are Shaped For Purpose

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply