"CROOKED KNIFE"???- Puffer

[Riley/MN]

Here's Kesterl Tool's prices:

http://www.rockisland.com/~kestrel/crooked_price.html

At $48 for a knife, I consider them a good deal. They come complete and scary sharp. If you are at all handy, you can get his blades only for $14, complete with instructions on how to make the proper handles.

What I am looking at shows $75 for a knife or $48 for just a blade...?

[jr]

FWIW, I've had several of the Kestrel "standard" size of different bends and i did'nt like using them. I don't like the double edge styles,  the  blade is too wide to turn easily, for me, there's not much steel thickness left as they taper to the point, and the second edge can be a little more dangerous.
Also, if you make your own, you can make an additional bend at the blade to handle area that angles the blade away from you a few degrees and at least to me, is more comfortable to use.

[Kermit]

My apologies! It's the haft blank that's $14. Shows how long ago I bought mine. They are pricey, but so are Lie-Nielsen hand planes, and I consider them worth every nickel.

I find the larger knives are pretty much brute tools. Good if you're working on a totem or door pole. I personally like the double edge, and use the smaller knives the most. Makes the knife either-handed, or a push-or-pull tool. The only issue I've had with folks not familiar with these knives is that they try to pop a chip out with the tip. DON'T! Once you break off the tip and resharpen, it's a completely different profile.

I've had the good fortune to have been instructed by two different Tlingit carvers as well as one of Kestrel's old employees. It helps.

[Riley/MN]

Haven't used one or dealt with these guys, but just came across this:

http://www.barkcanoe.com/accessories.htm

$18.50 + shipping