New Swivel Knives and Round Knives

[ftnpenlvr]

The four swivel knives, left to right:

My original, with ceramic blade (quickly knocked up a leather cap to replace the rubber one I blew through/lost)
I loosened the lock nut at the top of the barrel for visibility.

Japanese, with double blade

Japanese with standard blade

Slice with ceramic blade

2 hours ago, doubleh said:

The maker didn't bother to get a straight grind on one side. I suppose if it cuts well and runs straight with your carve line it's OK but it is poor quality control.

Yep - I wasn't sure if that was intentional, or a design flaw...  Or, like you said, poor quality control...  But, I suspect with a little time, I can knock that down, or they might even replace it...

[Tequila]

Just a comment on the round knife portion.  I also had purchased a new Stohlman knife and was disappointed, the edge wasn’t sharp, but it was thick.  After stropping no better, then took it to some stones and stropped it again it was better, but still not great, so I put it away.  Then I bought 2 old used knives ( a 3” and a 5” or there about) from one of the members here on Leatherworker and man what a difference.  The gentleman said he sharpened them up for me, and he did a beautiful job!  As long as I keep them stropped the large one will go through 10 oz veg like a hot knife through butter and the smaller one is my go to for anything up to 6-8 oz.  IMHO I think that a lot of the older tools are better quality than the mass produced ones available today.  If I do buy new tools I try to get them from smaller makers that take pride in their products. 

[Tequila]

Now you need to try a Duane Watts yoke less swivel knife from DW Leatherworks.  I’d be interested to see what you think of it. 

[Doc Reaper]

2 hours ago, Tequila said:

Now you need to try a Duane Watts yoke less swivel knife from DW Leatherworks.  I’d be interested to see what you think of it. 

I purchased one of those are yolkless swivel knives off Amazon, they suck

[ftnpenlvr]

5 hours ago, Tequila said:

Now you need to try a Duane Watts yoke less swivel knife from DW Leatherworks.  I’d be interested to see what you think of it. 

I think my wife would hurt me if I brought in another any time soon... Unless I make her another purse, or another panel to her dashboard....  :-D

[ftnpenlvr]

After mucking about with the new knives, here is a first attempt at Jim Linnell's "Swivel Knife Finesse" bird, done with the Slice.  I have a ways to go with my finesse, before I can make it as neat and clean as his work, but, I am not too horrified with the results.  I have a hard time believing I will be signing my name or logo with a swivel knife soon, but, I'll keep at it.  Good use for scrap pieces!

I spoke with the folks who make the knife, and the secondary bevel we talked about is intentional - it is intended to make it harder to cut yourself, while still allowing a decent cut on leather.  While I ran it across my finger, I didn't press hard, for obvious reasons, but, didn't cut myself, so, I suppose it works.  I will say it is rare that I am cutting towards my finger, or cutting fast enough that I lose control of the knife, but, I suppose it is good to know that, if I were not paying attention, I'd not hurt myself too badly enjoying my art...

 

[dikman]

That explanation for the double bevel sounds odd to me - and why only on one side?

[tsunkasapa]

2 hours ago, dikman said:

That explanation for the double bevel sounds odd to me - and why only on one side?

The oysters I had last night didn't smell that fishy.

[chuck123wapati]

20 hours ago, dikman said:

That explanation for the double bevel sounds odd to me - and why only on one side?

 AS we used to say at the shop I'll throw the bulls@*t flag on that one. 

On 9/4/2022 at 5:17 AM, ftnpenlvr said:

After mucking about with the new knives, here is a first attempt at Jim Linnell's "Swivel Knife Finesse" bird, done with the Slice.  I have a ways to go with my finesse, before I can make it as neat and clean as his work, but, I am not too horrified with the results.  I have a hard time believing I will be signing my name or logo with a swivel knife soon, but, I'll keep at it.  Good use for scrap pieces!

I spoke with the folks who make the knife, and the secondary bevel we talked about is intentional - it is intended to make it harder to cut yourself, while still allowing a decent cut on leather.  While I ran it across my finger, I didn't press hard, for obvious reasons, but, didn't cut myself, so, I suppose it works.  I will say it is rare that I am cutting towards my finger, or cutting fast enough that I lose control of the knife, but, I suppose it is good to know that, if I were not paying attention, I'd not hurt myself too badly enjoying my art...

 

fine knife work!!!!

[ftnpenlvr]

On 9/5/2022 at 3:48 PM, chuck123wapati said:

fine knife work!!!!

Many thanks!  I have a ways to go, and a lot of practice to do.  I'd like to get that smaller, get the lines closer together, and more consistent - practice, practice, practice....  :-)

Agree on the "one side only" thing.  I don't understand it, but, I didn't cut myself either, so...  Well, I will keep using it, and appreciate that it fits my hand nicely, turns smoothly, and seems to cut well, regardless of the blade shape.