The biggest game-changer in my accuracy as a woodworker came when I started using marking knives for layout.
Along with my square, I consider my marking knife the most important tool in my shop.
They make cutting fine joinery so much easier and more accurate — especially if you’re relatively new to the craft.
But like any tool, you need to follow certain techniques to get good results.
So today, I’m giving you 10 Marking Knife Tips and Techniques you can use to level up the accuracy of your woodworking…
And take your joinery from “meh” to “a-meh-zing.”
John McBratney & Diana McBratney
January 15, 2023
Hi Jonathon, I have two good marking knives, one similar to the Czech one you showed in your blog, the other is a Japanese knife. It has a wider blade, nice and thin, sharpened on one side only and it lives in its own wooden cover that matches the handle. Both excellent tools.
I find the double bevel easier in marking dovetail pins as you need to reverse the knife orientation. The bigger Japanese tool is good for larger wider timber marking.
Years ago before I had either if the above I used one blade one of my pen knives, I have something of a collection of pen (Pocket) knives, although sadly one is not allowed to carry such knives in public any more. Nuisance as I have carried a pocket knife since I was at school, I was known as the boy who could sharper pencils. I later years I have always had a Swiss Army knife on my belt. I actually own a genuine Swiss Army knife as issued to Swiss soldiers, my Swiss engineer friend gave it to me having bought it in the Swiss Army store. He was a Colonel in the Swiss Army, head of the Army Communications Branch.
Bit of trivia
Cheers
John