Better Swivel Knives?

[fleabitpokey]

I want to get myself a better quality swivel knife.

Does anyone have a favorite maker? Any and all information will be appreciated.

Thanks Stephanie

[D.A. Kabatoff]

In the end, it comes down to finding a knife with a good blade that suits the kind of work you are doing and a barrel that has an appropriate thickness and height that suits your hand. Thin barrels make quicker movements which helps for lots of tight curves... if you have long fingers you might want a longer barrel.

My own knife is an Ol Smoothie by Chuck Smith... not sure it really improved my carving ability but it's sure fun to spin the cradle and watch it spin for ten minutes on the smoothest bearings you've ever seen!

Darc

[Johanna]

I'm not a leather carver by any stretch of the imagination, but I never held a more perfectly balanced knife than the ones Bob Beard makes. If you get a chance to go to a trade show the vendors will let you try out the different knives. Swivel knives are definitely one tool where one size/style isn't going to fit all. The right knife for you is going to be the one that suits your style and fits your hand the best, and that's hard to tell from a catalog.

Johanna

[bruce johnson]

Stephanie,

I agree with the previous posts that you really have to try a swivel knife to see the differences. The height and barrel size are important. The yoke or cradle is a factor, width shoud fit your finger. Some yokes are flat stock, and others are contoured. Then you get into blades, thin blades/thick blades, angled blades/straight blades, then widths -1/4,3/8,1/2. Lots of choices and combinations. Different configurations for different styles of carving, different hand size, even the angle you hold the knife at makes a difference in all these choices.

I have knives from Chuck Smith (Ol Smoothie), Barry King, some of the fat barreled old Tandy Pro knives, and a drawerfull of the regular old TLF knives (yard sale set finds). I have different blade set ups on the regular users. You are most welcome to come down and play with any of them. Other than the IFoLG show in TX, I think the trade shows are about wound down for the year.

Bruce

[ClayB]

Stephanie,

I agree with the previous posts that you really have to try a swivel knife to see the differences. The height and barrel size are important. The yoke or cradle is a factor, width shoud fit your finger. Some yokes are flat stock, and others are contoured. Then you get into blades, thin blades/thick blades, angled blades/straight blades, then widths -1/4,3/8,1/2. Lots of choices and combinations. Different configurations for different styles of carving, different hand size, even the angle you hold the knife at makes a difference in all these choices.

I have knives from Chuck Smith (Ol Smoothie), Barry King, some of the fat barreled old Tandy Pro knives, and a drawerfull of the regular old TLF knives (yard sale set finds). I have different blade set ups on the regular users. You are most welcome to come down and play with any of them. Other than the IFoLG show in TX, I think the trade shows are about wound down for the year.

Bruce

I think you it is best to try some different knives out too. The one I use the most is the old Tandy Pro knive Bruce mentioned. It is big and heavy and just feels right to me. A couple years ago I bought a short, thin barreled knife from Barry King. Short because I have small hands, thin because I thought I could make tighter turns with it. I don't like the thin barrel much at all. I am on Bob Beards list for one of his knives next time he makes some. I think it will be a short, fat barrel. Like Darc said about the old smootie, the yoke in Bob's knives will spin for 10 minutes. Not sure how much advantage that makes in cutting, but it is fun to do. The thing that might make more of a difference than getting a different knife is getting a better blade. I bought a couple blades from Bob in Sheridan, and I noticed right away that my decorative cuts are way better. If you cant try out the knives, at least talk to the people that make them, tell them what you are going to do with them and see what they suggest. Some of the custom made knives are fairly expensive and you don't want to buy one that you aren't going to like. Barry's on the other hand are fairly reasonably priced.

Clay

[fleabitpokey]

I think you it is best to try some different knives out too. The one I use the most is the old Tandy Pro knive Bruce mentioned. It is big and heavy and just feels right to me. A couple years ago I bought a short, thin barreled knife from Barry King. Short because I have small hands, thin because I thought I could make tighter turns with it. I don't like the thin barrel much at all. I am on Bob Beards list for one of his knives next time he makes some. I think it will be a short, fat barrel. Like Darc said about the old smootie, the yoke in Bob's knives will spin for 10 minutes. Not sure how much advantage that makes in cutting, but it is fun to do. The thing that might make more of a difference than getting a different knife is getting a better blade. I bought a couple blades from Bob in Sheridan, and I noticed right away that my decorative cuts are way better. If you cant try out the knives, at least talk to the people that make them, tell them what you are going to do with them and see what they suggest. Some of the custom made knives are fairly expensive and you don't want to buy one that you aren't going to like. Barry's on the other hand are fairly reasonably priced.

Clay

Thank you all for the information passed on. I think you are all right about trying out the different styles. I guess I have some home work to do. I have short fingers, and the knives I have looked at do not adjust to a comfortable height. So I need to talk to the different makers ,like Clay said. And I might just take you up on the offer of trying out your assortment of knives,Mr Johnson.

Thanks to you all, Stephanie

[greg gomersall]

I guess I am pretty fortunate to have half a dozen Don King swivel knives, I use the Extreme Alloy blades made by Henley Mfg. in them. These blades are made in Alabama and they hold a edge like nothing I have ever used before. Clint Fay says with stropping often he can carve a hundred belts between shapening using these blades. Greg

[fleabitpokey]

I guess I am pretty fortunate to have half a dozen Don King swivel knives, I use the Extreme Alloy blades made by Henley Mfg. in them. These blades are made in Alabama and they hold a edge like nothing I have ever used before. Clint Fay says with stropping often he can carve a hundred belts between shapening using these blades. Greg

Greg, thanks for the leads to check out. I appreciate your help. Just for asking do you have the Clint Fay book on Sheridan carving? Tell me it is worth getting. I want it Thanks again stephanie

[steve mason]

Greg, thanks for the leads to check out. I appreciate your help. Just for asking do you have the Clint Fay book on Sheridan carving? Tell me it is worth getting. I want it Thanks again stephanie

i have to agree with Greg here, I also have a few Don King swivel knives with extreme alloy blades in them, you will be amazed at how long you can use these blades and not have to sharpen them as long as you keep stropping them.

In regards to the fay book, I think it would be a great asset to anyone wanting to carve Sheridan style, there is enough good info there that even if you don't want to carve Sheridan style, you will still learn a bunch from the book.

[Art]

Hi Stephanie,

Bob Beard, by far the best, just best for my hand, feels right,

Barry King, excellent and I keep small blades in it,

Henley, these are really good and come in many diameters and knurls,

Chuck Smith, worked for Bob Beard, copied his knife, great knife also, I have mine somewhere but I think the dog is using it and won't give it back,

Tandy Al Stohlman Brand (ASB), if you like a really heave knife, this one is pretty good but definately look for it on sale.

I have all of these, a couple of some, blades don't always interchange among them, I use Beard and King the most, Dog likes the Smith, won't give it back. Bob's knives will take about 6 to 9 months to get, Barry's you can pick-up at the shows, Smith's also, Tandy at the Stores. These knives are very personal so if you can pick them up in person and try them out it would be better. Bob makes the best blades around, steel not ceramic.

All this is my opinion only.

Art

I want to get myself a better quality swivel knife.

Does anyone have a favorite maker? Any and all information will be appreciated.

Thanks Stephanie

[fleabitpokey]

i have to agree with Greg here, I also have a few Don King swivel knives with extreme alloy blades in them, you will be amazed at how long you can use these blades and not have to sharpen them as long as you keep stropping them.

In regards to the fay book, I think it would be a great asset to anyone wanting to carve Sheridan style, there is enough good info there that even if you don't want to carve Sheridan style, you will still learn a bunch from the book.

steve,thanks for the information on swivel knives. And about the Clint Fay book. I may never truely carve Sheridan style but am hoping for the knowledge . Got to get from someplace. Thanks Stephanie

Hi Stephanie,

Bob Beard, by far the best, just best for my hand, feels right,

Barry King, excellent and I keep small blades in it,

Henley, these are really good and come in many diameters and knurls,

Chuck Smith, worked for Bob Beard, copied his knife, great knife also, I have mine somewhere but I think the dog is using it and won't give it back,

Tandy Al Stohlman Brand (ASB), if you like a really heave knife, this one is pretty good but definately look for it on sale.

I have all of these, a couple of some, blades don't always interchange among them, I use Beard and King the most, Dog likes the Smith, won't give it back. Bob's knives will take about 6 to 9 months to get, Barry's you can pick-up at the shows, Smith's also, Tandy at the Stores. These knives are very personal so if you can pick them up in person and try them out it would be better. Bob makes the best blades around, steel not ceramic.

All this is my opinion only.

Art

Thank you Art, until I asked about knives, I really didn't realize there were this many makers and styles. The information here is great. Everybody is so quick about sharing an opinion. Sounds like your dog knows what he likes. Is he trying to tell us something.

Thanks Stephanie

[Regis]

After reading all this and then talking to the Henley folks, I took the plunge. I wanted to have one very good and very sharp knife. I think mine is sharp but, I have nothing to compare to (until the IFoLG in Oct). I did go with 3/8ths barrel as I wanted to try one a little smaller than the standard $10 tandy that I'm using. I'd much rather try several as suggested but, there's nuttin' round here!

Regis

[fleabitpokey]

After reading all this and then talking to the Henley folks, I took the plunge. I wanted to have one very good and very sharp knife. I think mine is sharp but, I have nothing to compare to (until the IFoLG in Oct). I did go with 3/8ths barrel as I wanted to try one a little smaller than the standard $10 tandy that I'm using. I'd much rather try several as suggested but, there's nuttin' round here!

Regis

Regis, let me know when you get your knife,how you like it.

Stephanie

[Regis]

Got my new Henley swivel knife in today. Sure is great pleasure to handle and use a fine quality tool (of any kind). There is absolutely no comparison to the cheap tandy-like knives I've been using. My old blades feel as sharp (to touch) and are polished as well but, don't come near the smooth cuting of this Henley. I did get the 3/8" knerl handle and it is smooth turning and simply wonderful. My fingers are short but have fairly large hand and this fits perfect. I can't compare this to other high quality knives but, this one meets the "get-what-you-pay-for" test.

I would still agree with those that say try as many as you can and then buy the one that works best for you. With no stores or carvers nearby, you can say I got mail-order-lucky (with the help of folks here on leatherworker.net of course).

Regis

[fleabitpokey]

Got my new Henley swivel knife in today. Sure is great pleasure to handle and use a fine quality tool (of any kind). There is absolutely no comparison to the cheap tandy-like knives I've been using. My old blades feel as sharp (to touch) and are polished as well but, don't come near the smooth cuting of this Henley. I did get the 3/8" knerl handle and it is smooth turning and simply wonderful. My fingers are short but have fairly large hand and this fits perfect. I can't compare this to other high quality knives but, this one meets the "get-what-you-pay-for" test.

I would still agree with those that say try as many as you can and then buy the one that works best for you. With no stores or carvers nearby, you can say I got mail-order-lucky (with the help of folks here on leatherworker.net of course).

Regis

Regis,glad the new knife is a good, lucky one. Makes me want to see how my luck goes. Happy carvingStephanie