swivel knife help needed

[howardb]

Ok so I was practing some today. And yes I tried to take pictures but they were fuzzy. Anyway, after I was done with the swivel knife, my hand was hurting from pushing so hard down and it felt like it was dragging. Now I had my swivel knife sharp and stroped it almost looked like a mirrow. It was all polished. But would it not being cased right cause that? And what is it supposed feel like when you are using your swivel knife? Like a hot knife through butter or harder?

Thanks,

Chris

Chris,

I got tired of being tired. My hands cramped after several minutes of carving. I also noticed the leather was more "pulled" around the cuts. No amount of stropping seemed to work.

Knowing the importance of sharp woodworking tools & knives I decided to re-edge two of the blades I was using. I have a nice diamond plate sharpener for the kitchen knives, and it's about 7" x 2". I inherited, along with my mother in law, access to all my father in law's tools. She's only too happy to have me use them. Anyway, I found one of those little sharpening jig's you can find in the Tandy catalog. I re-ground the edge, just a hair shallower (not really on purpose...) on both blades & did the initial stropping with the blades still in the jig.

WOW what a difference. The hot-knife-through-butter analogy works pretty well here. I actually had to lighten up to avoid cutting the leather in two. Significantly less fatigue.

The other comments here on buying a quality knife, or at least blade, are dead on. I have the ultra-cheap tandy knife with a very nice blade in it and it feels good to me. Now, this knife fits my hand well, so I polished the crap out of the swivel until it was smooth. I also have a very expensive ball bearing knife (chuck smith - "maker" knife) and it got even better with a sharpened blade. It doesn't fit me as well, but I like the heft. It has a shortened angled blade in it for very curvy cuts.

Get a jig, get a nice stone or diamond plate & re-edge the knives. It will make a difference!

Brent

[Chris B]

Wow!! Im gone for a weekend and you all just amaze me with all the info that you guys/gals have. I am going to have to look into those Henlys and Barry king. Yes I am tring to learn all of this on my own. And yes I am going to have to tweak my stropping/casing progess. Billy P, what is crocus cloth? I have never heard of it. And again you all amaze me by you wealth of knowledge. A little of topic here, but would anyone have any contact info for the leather guild in Columbus Ohio? I am wanting to attend, but dont know where to go and when.

Thanks Alot,

Chris

[howardb]

Chris,

I sent a contact name to you via PM.

Brent