Swivel knife recommendations?

[AdamDavis]

@kseidel I generally tend to agree with the buy once cry once philosophy. Is there brand in particular you would recommend?  As to what I would like to carve, anything really but I had been thinking floral.

@Leescustomleather thanks,I will check out those offerings.

[YinTx]

Sharp blade is a must.  Nothing coming from low price sources is ground and polished properly that I've seen.  I've taken apart several of the vintage Tandy swivels, polished the cone, applied oil, and reassembled.  Makes a world of difference.  Various degrees of polish on these blades, which I use still on occasion despite having some really expensive swivels.

YinTx

[kseidel]

On 7/8/2022 at 7:37 PM, AdamDavis said:

@kseidel  As to what I would like to carve, anything really but I had been thinking floral.

 

Different styles of carving/stamping uses different types of stamps.  Same with swivel knives.  Angle blades have little use in floral carving while they can be very useful in figure carving.  If you are only doing borders for geometric stamping, then a wider thicker blade is better.  My favorites are Ole' Smoothie by Chuck Smith.  I have shorter fingers, so I prefer a 3/8" barrel that is 3¾" long from base inside yoke to tip of blade.  This knife is not adjustable so must be purchased for length.  Chuck offers a blade made from COBALT that is superior to carbon steel for reduced drag while carving.  It is comparably priced to competitors yet is a much better quality knife.  His contact info is Chuck Smith, 760-749-5755, Mobile:760-535-5191.  Keith

[johnnydb]

I'm going to agree completely about any swivel knife first being sharpened before it will be useful.  

I got one and started carving on some cased leather and knew instantly that it was in rough shape right out of the box.  

 

I then spent several hours regrinding the edge and then putting a true razor-sharp edge that will shave a tough beard close.  It takes a stone progression through surgical black Arkansas stones and a strop with jewlers Rouge or better.  

Then it finally was fine to cut with.  Tool sharpening is a completely different skill set....but the polished edge is worth it.  

Because you don't want to start and stop a cut changing angles or direction when you do.  It will look bad when you pound it out.  Only the sharpest razors will do what you want...then you can focus on the art instead of the knife.  

[AdamDavis]

@kseidel thanks for the info and the recommendations. I appreciate it!

[Scootch]

I have a couple of BK and a couple of Clay Miller swivels.  They all have different blades installed.  I do find myself favoring the Miller.  Whatever you go with, buy several blades.

Scootch

[JayEhl]

To add, I found the barrel size to be a consideration.   I have a 1/4"? size from BK that I don't enjoy using as much as my original Tandy 3/8"?.  I also have an old school Tandy 1/2" (or maybe it's 3/4"?)  barrel and although I like the heft, the barrel size is too big for me.   And I found a set of swivel knife blades from a  garage sale that included two ceramic blades.  Those are amazing and have been enjoying using those the most.

[sbrownn]

On 7/8/2022 at 4:14 AM, AdamDavis said:

@fredk thanks for the tip! I may still have some lapping compound from brownells;; might be worth a go.

Seems like lapping compound will make it a looser fit than it already is.  

2 hours ago, JayEhl said:

To add, I found the barrel size to be a consideration.   I have a 1/4"? size from BK that I don't enjoy using as much as my original Tandy 3/8"?.  I also have an old school Tandy 1/2" (or maybe it's 3/4"?)  barrel and although I like the heft, the barrel size is too big for me.   And I found a set of swivel knife blades from a  garage sale that included two ceramic blades.  Those are amazing and have been enjoying using those the most.

Thanks for the tip about ceramic blades.

[AdamDavis]

@SBrown I had been thinking Lapping would smooth out any roughness. Moot point now, I opted for a Barry King which, I’m happy to report is plenty smooth as is.

Edited October 1, 2022 by AdamDavis

[stelhrse]

Hi. Is there a formula to adjusting a swivel knife for proper fit? I never know if my knife from blade to yokei s adjusted right. Thanks.

 

Edited October 1, 2022 by stelhrse