I implored Chris to let me have this one day of the 2020 gift guide to share a favorite of mine: the long-blade model of the R. Murphy Hand Carving and Dental Lab Knife. I inherited this knife and other hand tools from my grandfather, and it’s the only tool of his that I use on an almost-daily basis when I’m at the bench.
It’s great for scooping out relief cuts on the backs of tails and making flat cuts at the baseline to remove that scoop of waste. I also use it for quickly cleaning out any lingering waste at the base of pin boards.
Sure, you can use a chisel for relief cuts, but it’s not quite as efficient or comfortable. I’ve found this narrow-knife blade, with its flat cutting edge and comfortable handle, the fastest and most satisfying tool for these relief cuts I make on almost every one of my projects (I cut a lot of dovetails).
In fact, I like it so much that I just ordered a backup. It’s available from a number of stores for about $20, but I went right to the source: R. Murphy.
I think my grandfather used this knife for chip carving – so if you’re into that (or dental lab work of some kind), it’s multi-purpose!
Amen. Love mine too.
Can you expand more on the relief cuts on the backs of the tails?
Scoop out little bits of material on the BACK INSIDE corners of the tails, starting below the top of the tail, as shown in the photos above. (Then remove the little scoop at the baseline if it didn’t fall off.) This just adds a little insurance to help your dovetails go together, without significant weakening of the joint.
Got it! Thank you.
I am so glad you posted this! For years my family has enjoyed a knife we have used in the kitchen and appears here to be the 3” square point shoe knife. My brother in law worked in the paper mill here In Maine and it was an important tool for him at work. Over the years my sisters, 5 of us, and my mother had our own knife. When there are two of us cooking in the kitchen we sort of fight for who gets to use it. But now knowing where to get them as well as knowing of this paring knife for woodworking, I am thrilled.
This gift guide is something I really look forward to. Such wonderful products to know about.
Thanks for the share.
No mention of carving your own wooden dentures?
R. Murphy makes some great things, right here in MA. I’ve used their adjustable handle knives for years, after seeing how Chris Becksvoort used one. Sadly, they recently stopped making them, though they still make the blades.
I’m glad you pointed folks right to the maker, rather than a reseller.
I have that one from my grandfather, too! (But don’t use it as much…because it’s in my tool chest at home.)
John,
If the knife you are talking about is the one that holds the so-called mill knife blades: I think the Hyde Co. still makes them.
I prefer the type of knife Megan recommends because you can concentrate a lot of cutting ‘power’ into the knife’s tip. The adjustable handle with the various blades are perfect -in my opinion – for cutting leather.
Alfred
I have this knife and use every day for every imaginable task that needs a sharp blade
Love that knife too. Got my first one from woodcraft when I was about 10 for chip carving. Never really got into chip carving, but I still have the knife! I use it all the time and it’s actually my marking knife. I picked up a couple backups at Lee Valley too.
I use a similar knife to transfer dovetail profiles to the pin board. The single-bevel marking knives are more popular, but I find they can cut into the tails when marking the pin board. This double-bevel knife won’t do that. It also won’t gouge your metal rules the way a single-bevel knives can.
The reference to ‘dental lab’ caught my attention. Obviously, it means the knife must be tough – assuming that it is intended to cut all kinds of dental plastics. I have had one dental tool in my toolbox that I wouldn’t want to do without:
a vintage Buffalo Dental saw that takes fret saw blades that can be rotated in any position. Perfect for cutting out dove tail waste.
Al
I’d like to see the Hegemonist’s* Gift Guide show up here at LAP…(*or whatever you called it back in the day on PWM)…
And this is wooden denture knife is going on my Christmas wish list…nice recommendation…
This knife looks similar to the one Roy Underhill used on his show. Is it the same knife?
Sorry – I don’t know.