Ray Mears Crooked Knife

  1 of 18

  Wanted to try one of these for a while but funds and stock prevented me. It arrived in a jiffy bag with multiple layers of bubble wrap and yellow/black electrical tape around the blade. Unlike most carving knives I have tried the handle is actually big enough to grip properly with out the fear of griping the blade. The whipping around the handle feels like there is a lot of glue, but considering coping on to a couple other caving knives. The blade is clean and mirror like with a single bevel, ground like a chisel, have yet to check the angle, though plenty sharp enough to start with, sharpening will be interesting. My complaints are the price and no sheath, a soft leather (4mm) double stitched edge sheaf, was made so I had something. As for use and durability I have only used it for a couple afternoons (greed wood), the edge is still alright and no complaints from my hands. With most things I would want to use for a while before I know if I would recommend or not. If not for my complaints then I would be leaning to recommend this knife.  

  Dragokats

  2 of 18

  From Canada, I received the best crooked knife. Nice build, I love it. Also fast shipping, thank you.  

  Daniel Whissell

  3 of 18

  An interesting variant to my other crooked knives with a blade that doubles up for a draw knife on smaller pieces. The workmanship is superb and a beautifully mounted to the aesthetically pleasing handle. I may need to rework the angle on the handle just a fraction to suit my personal grip. The blade was sharp straight out of the excellent protective packaging requiring just a few strops and it was ready for use.  

  Darrel Singh

  4 of 18

  I bought this in the hope of replacing a draw knife for bow making. Can’t say it proved as efficient as a draw knife for my purposes, but it’s sure lighter than a shaving horse. I have no other crook knives to compare this to, but I do know it’s very sharp, cuts like a dream and feels great in the hand.  

  Aron Browne

  5 of 18

  It is a truely beautiful knife, it sits well in the hand. I am not used to this knife yet and it is going to take some time to really develop my skills, to get the best from it. The knife was sharp, lovely polished surface, the handle is a comfortable shape, smooth wood, the binding is beautifully done, my arm and hand tires easily using this knife, because it's a different movement for the arm and hand. I am sure that as I use it more, I will truely be able to get the best from it, like anything it's a learning process. My ultimate aim for buying this knife is to make some snow shoes, small ones first, not much chance of using them in the south of England, but its having and developing the knowledge to make whatever you desire. I'm sure knife and myself will get on great. Woodlore, would it be possible to get leather covers for this crooked knife to protect myself and the knife, something like the spoon knife sheaths. That would really finish the whole product off beautifully.  

  Caroline Light

  6 of 18

  My knife was delivered promptly, and I was highly impressed by the overall high quality of the tool; everything from the very high attention to detail of the finished product, the use of a lovely piece of ash wood for the handle and the quality craftsmanship of the blade which was as sharp as a razor out of the package. So much so that it took the most tiny and exquisitely painful sliver of skin of my finger as I was unwrapping it. As it is an unusual tool to use to begin with, it took a little while to master the intricacies of it, but I've got the hang of it now without too much more blood being shed. The main reason I bought it was that I am a great admirer of Ray Mears, especially for the programme he made in Canada where he lent his assistance to the construction of the Birch Bark Canoe, which I could watch endlessly and without boredom as a sort of relaxation or calming therapy. I never bother doing any sort of a review for anything that I buy but as you had the professional courtesy to follow up on your request for a review I thought o.k why not; and Ray Mears programmes generally have given me immeasurable pleasure over the years, so I hope that the review will be helpful as feedback to the obvious highest quality control that you have exercised over the manufacture and final delivery of the Crooked Knife.  

  Kevin Walsh

  7 of 18

  Very well made mocotaugan. Came decently sharp, and after use has now been resharpened, which was nice and easy. The steel seems really good (it is still early days but the initial signs are positive). A great tool to have in the tool kit at home or in the bush, as it’s so versatile. Very happy with the purchase and the always great service from Woodlore.  

  Dominic Campbell

  8 of 18

  Very nicely done and well crafted tool. The blade comes nicely sharp, has great steel and a very comfortable handle with beautiful grain. The binding is glued, so the whole assembly is really durable too. The handle size is great even for bigger hands. Although I have normal sized hands, it's comfortable even with gloves, so I like the way it is. The blade is just slightly offset, thus making work easier. Could be a bit more, but the way it is designed, is functional and historically correct too. The 'flat' part of the blade near the handle has a very slight curve, so it takes off shavings easier I guess, but it's not exactly a 'wood planer'. I would describe it as an all around carving tool / draw knife for flatening surfaces, carving handles, building canoes, etc. The curved tip is even fine enough for carving spoons I would say (not yet tested, but compared to my spoon knife). What I like too, is the fact that the knife is very light-weight and not bulky, so it doesn't add much to your carry load. Brilliant invention by the american first nations and well crafted design by Woodlore. Thank you for the fast delivery, too. God bless you!  

  Ralf Kuprasch

  9 of 18

  This is an awesome little tool, well designed and fits the hand very well you also have the ability to refit if blade or handle are damaged, this is very handy if you're out, just pop the binding, resharpen or carve another handle and bind up again. I had to think outside the box a little when I first picked it up because you can use this tool for different applications somewhat beyond basic carving jobs. Another point to mention is the balance and ergonomics, obviously traditional, yet brilliantly functional, as if an extension of the hand, it's very comfortable and not fatiguing to use once you become accustomed to using it. For example if you suffer from aches and pains or tendonitus in the hands, the way this tool is designed is very forgiving of such conditions and will allow you to extend your carving sessions beyond normal expectations. Everything I've purchased from your shop has been such high quality and its obvious you put a lot of passion and effort into your work, respect and admiration to your team and the craftsmanship. If you are interested in handcrafting wooden items or carving of any kind you should order one of these at the nearest opportunity, very highly recommended.  

  Daniel Spain

  10 of 18

  Nice shape in the hand, good metal is used.  

  Yves Sempels