Draw Knife

[jeremy1517]

Anyone know where I can find a decent Draw Knife, used or new?

I see them sold but what style and size is best for using on a bow?

[jeremy1517]

Or, how useful is a push knife as compared to a draw knife?  

I'm looking for them as a tillering tool.

[SportHunter]

Draw knives are good for hogging off wood to get your basic profile, get a scraper for tillering.

[jeremy1517]

Yes, I have scrappers. I was meaning as the basic profiling tool.

[George Tsoukalas]

I have a drawknife. They are good for removing a lot of wood and they are also good for fine wood removal. I use mine right up to the bow's first stringing.

After that I use my Swedish push knife as a scraper.
I also use the push knife to help with ring chasing.

Flea markets and second hand stores are good places to look for
either.

Jawge

[k-hat]

Fleabay is also a good place  

I'd say around 8" blade, straight or slightly curved both work well.  The older american made's are worth whatever you pay (though i got one for 12 bucks! worth quite a bit more).

[Eric Krewson]

Everyone who uses a draw knife has their own preference. There are so many different blade styles out there, straight, curved, skinny, wide etc.

I prefer a heavy, straight blade with the handles on the same plane as the blade, not tilted up.

Here is my #1 draw knife, I have others but always come back to this one. It is a 14" debarking draw knife used by log cabin builders. I have had this draw knife from day one of my bow building experience, it has seen hundreds of osage staves.

 

I can do heavy work or the most delicate work with it. There will be a learning curve with which ever draw knife you select so don't give up if you make a mess of things starting off.

Another thing, I like a draw knife razor sharp, lots of folk like them dull. Once you get good with one, razor sharp is an asset.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

I make my own from used lawnmower blades. If you have a welder and a grinder at your disposal you can make your own in about 30 min.
Lawnmower blades are tempered steel so if you don't turn it blue when grinding the edge on it you will be able to sharpen many times with a file once the edge is established. I use mine for hogging off bark, sapwood, and even turn it up on edge as a scraper.

Here's mine

[Roy from Pa]

Now that thar is redneck:)

[SEMO_HUNTER]

You dang straight! We make our own tools down here in Southeast Missouri.