A drawknife is a blade with a handle at each end. You pull it toward you to peel bark, rough out a spindle or take a thick shaving off a board. The main choices are the blade length, whether the blade is straight or curved, the kind of steel and how big the handles are.
The six tools below run from a 9 1/4 inch Austrian forged blade down to a 3 inch carving drawknife and a 4.5 inch Swedish one. Sizes and materials come from each listing page and are the makers’ own words. We have not used these tools ourselves. Where a listing is vague or disagrees with itself, we say so.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Blade length | Longer blades take wider cuts; short ones suit carving |
| Straight or curved | Curved blades hollow chair seats and bowls; straight blades flatten |
| Handles | Offset or bent handles keep your knuckles clear of the work |
| Edge cover | A sheath or guard protects the edge in storage |
Specs at a Glance
| Drawknife | Blade and overall length | Blade material | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stubai | 9 1/4 in blade; 17 in overall | Stubai steel | Made in Austria; offset handles |
| Wisemen Mueller | 9 1/2 in blade; 16 1/2 in overall | High carbon steel | Hand forged in Austria; slight curve |
| FLEXCUT KN16 | 5 in blade | 1095 high carbon steel | Ash handles; leather sheath; made in the U.S.A. |
| BeaverCraft DK1 | 3 in straight | High carbon steel | Oak handles with linseed oil; made in Ukraine |
| Felled 8 in curved | 8 in blade; 11.8 in overall | Stainless or hardened steel (conflict) | Rubber edge protector; wood handles |
| Morakniv Classic | 4.5 in blade; 13.7 in overall | Stainless steel | Birch handles; 2.6 oz; made in Sweden |
The 6 Best Drawknives
1. Stubai Drawknife, Made in Austria
A mid size drawknife with a 9 1/4 inch blade and a 17 inch overall length, made in the Stubai Valley in Austria. The maker describes it as general purpose with offset handles. The listing warns that the Stubai name may or may not be stamped in the steel and that forging lines can show on the blade. It does not name the exact steel grade beyond calling it Stubai steel.
Suits: debarking and general shaping. Strengths: a long blade and offset handles. Weaknesses: the steel grade is not named. Skip it if you only carve small spoons.
View Stubai Drawknife Made In Austria on Amazon
2. Wisemen Mueller Drawknife, 9-1/2 inch, Forged in Austria
A hand forged drawknife with a 9 1/2 inch blade that is 1 inch wide, 16 1/2 inches long overall and made of high carbon steel. The maker says the blade has a small curve for control and offers a lifetime warranty. Forging lines are described as normal, not casting lines.
Suits: chair legs and rough shaping. Strengths: a slight curve and a long blade. Weaknesses: the listing gives no handle material. Skip it if you want a flat, straight blade.
View Wisemen Mueller Drawknife 9-1/2 inch Forged in Austria on Amazon
3. FLEXCUT 5-Inch Draw Knife KN16
A short drawknife with a 5 inch flexible blade of 1095 high carbon steel, ash wood handles and a leather sheath, made in the U.S.A. The maker says the blade flexes around concave and convex shapes. It is the most compact of the group apart from the BeaverCraft.
Suits: carving and fine shaping. Strengths: a leather sheath is included. Weaknesses: too short for debarking logs. Skip it if you peel bark from large timber.
4. BeaverCraft Draw Knife DK1, 3 inch Straight
A small straight drawknife with a high carbon steel blade and oak handles treated with linseed oil, made in Ukraine. The maker says it works on hard and soft woods but is best on smooth wood free of bark and knots. The listing title gives 3 inches and the bullets do not repeat a blade length.
Suits: spoon and small carving work. Strengths: a very small size with oiled oak handles. Weaknesses: the maker advises against bark and knots. Skip it if you need a bark peeler.
5. Felled 8 in Curved Draw Shave Knife
An 8 inch curved drawknife, 11.8 inches overall, with a blade that is 1.9 inches tall and 0.3 inches thick. A rubber edge protector comes with it. The details table says stainless steel while a bullet says hardened steel, so the blade material is not consistent across the page.
Suits: seats, bowls and hollowing. Strengths: a deep curved blade and an edge protector. Weaknesses: two different steel descriptions. Skip it if you want a straight blade.
6. Morakniv Classic Draw Knife, 4.5 Inch
A small Swedish drawknife with a 4.5 inch stainless steel blade 0.1 inch thick, red ochre birch handles at both ends and a total length of 13.7 inches. It weighs 2.6 ounces according to the listing. The maker describes it for splitting small sticks and carving.
Suits: green wood carving and kindling sticks. Strengths: very light at 2.6 ounces. Weaknesses: a thin blade for heavy stock. Skip it if you shape thick timber.
Care and Setup
- Hold the work in a vise or on a shaving horse before you pull.
- Follow the maker’s sharpening advice for the bevel.
- Put the sheath or edge guard back on after each use.
- Wipe the blade dry and oil carbon steel lightly.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying a 3 inch carving drawknife to strip bark from logs.
- Trusting a listing that names two different steels.
- Pulling toward your body without clearing the line of the blade.
- Storing the tool with the edge bare.
Drawknife FAQ
What is the difference between a straight and a curved drawknife?
A straight blade flattens and tapers. A curved blade hollows, so it suits seats, bowls and spoon work.
Which drawknife here has the longest blade?
The Wisemen Mueller lists 9 1/2 inches and the Stubai lists 9 1/4 inches. The shortest is the BeaverCraft at 3 inches.
The Short Version
For a classic mid size blade, the Stubai. For a hand forged blade with a slight curve, the Wisemen Mueller. For a flexible carving knife with a sheath, the FLEXCUT. For tiny work, the BeaverCraft. For a deep curve, the Felled. For a light Swedish knife, the Morakniv.