Blade advice/Identification

[riy]

I've been using No.11 Xacto blades and retractable, snap-off blades to do the majority of my cutting. They certainly get the job done but I don't like how quickly the tips of the blades dull. I find myself having to tilt the utility knives at uncomfortable angles to get clean cuts.

I saw Don Gonzales using some kind of squared off blade on an Xacto handle. It seems like a nice blade that might even have some flex to it - does anyone know what blade this is? (Photos attached) I can't seem to find them online.

I have also looked at some nice pattern knives/round knives/Japanese skiving knives, but the good ones are pricey. Not sure if that's a worthwhile investment for me yet, but open to hearing what y'all like best for your work.

[MikeRock]

It looks like a single edge razor blade.......but what do I know.  Haven't shaved since the 1970's.

God bless

[sbrownn]

I don't think the quality of the cuts has anything to do with the blade.  Those are blades from an injector razor and my experience has been that they are plenty sharp enough to make a nice cut in leather.

[fredk]

That is the standard blade for the 'super skiver', Identifiable by that long slot

 

Edited June 27, 2022 by fredk

[zuludog]

I use a Japanese Leather Knife for skiving, and you mention that you would  also consider one. As with most tools, including leather tools, you can spend more or less as much or as little as you want, but have a look at this video. As far as I can tell he uses Craft Sha knives from Weaver Leather Supply, (although they're not named) and they are reasonably priced

 

https://www.weaverleathersupply.com/catalog/item-detail/65-2864/flat-leather-knife/pr_60362/cp_/shop-now/hand-tools/knives-scissors/knives

Search YouTube, there are several videos on Japanese Leather Knives, for both skiving and cutting

Rocky Mountain Leather Supply have JLKs, mostly expensive, but there is one at $59-99 

Besides the JLK I use a Stanley/utility/box cutter knife. Although the blades are disposable I resharpen them on a fine stone & strop, and they seem to work better, probably because that reduces the shoulder of the bevel and polishes it. And even new blades are better after a strop.

I think Exacto knives are bit too light for leatherwork, that's why I use a Stanley. Have a look at videos by Ian Atkinson, aka Leodis Leather, he uses a Stanley knife for most of his work.

Edited June 27, 2022 by zuludog

[battlemunky]

I use Exacto, Olfa snap off, and Lenox blades in my utility knife handle. I rarely replace blades. You gotta stop 'em is all. They'll get ridiculously sharp with diligent stropping. I also have one of those cheap ass red handled Japanese skiving knives from Amazon and it is light saber sharp and works like a charm.

Most of my blade problems go away when I strop them to stupid sharp.

[TomE]

I have better luck skiving with a rounded blade, using a round knife or Osborne #67 knife. I am left handed and work from left to right along the edge of a strap, using right-to-left strokes and tilting the handle in the direction of the stroke.  I've tried using a square skiving knife and tilting it the other way, but I can't get the hang of it.  

[zuludog]

This might be interesting/useful. At the end there is a link for sharpening a JLK

 

[Chipster99]

https://www.amazon.com/Taconic-Shave-Injector-Razor-Blades/dp/B07VQPFK68/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=84YVGN10MFHB&keywords=ejector+blades&qid=1656368609&sprefix=ejector+blades%2Caps%2C226&sr=8-4

[sbrownn]

1 hour ago, battlemunky said:

I use Exacto, Olfa snap off, and Lenox blades in my utility knife handle. I rarely replace blades. You gotta stop 'em is all. They'll get ridiculously sharp with diligent stropping. I also have one of those cheap ass red handled Japanese skiving knives from Amazon and it is light saber sharp and works like a charm.

Most of my blade problems go away when I strop them to stupid sharp.

I think part of the attraction of disposable blades is the avoidance of sharpening.  I use both disposable and knives I sharpen myself but I never found the need to sharpen a new disposable blade.