Members Mypepsione Posted Thursday at 08:54 PM Members Report Posted Thursday at 08:54 PM I like the Japanese straight style. Looking at chartermade approx $200.00 so not a low cost item. Quote
Members AEBL Posted Friday at 01:23 PM Members Report Posted Friday at 01:23 PM The cheap ones on Amazon from China are okay, I'm assuming that you have had one and that you are looking to upgrade, so I won't mention those. Sometimes when you get the custom-made ones you're looking for a particular steel (usually a trade off between ease of sharpening and edge retention - some of the "super" steels keep an edge for an incredible amount of time, but are also harder to sharpen, and I'd recommend a decent diamond plate for that) or, you are getting something that is pretty - either premium handle materials, or damascus steel blades, etc., a tool that makes you happy to hold. If you're just going for good utility and durability while being affordable - you might look near the ~$100 range. If you find your knife inspires you as a leatherworker more when it is also a work of art - it may make more sense for you to own a more premium tool, they're nice to look at. I have a custom Japanese knife from a local guy. It has turquoise on the handle and I like watching it slice leather, and it reminds me of my friend who I got the knife from. Buckleguy has one for $60: https://www.buckleguy.com/bg-japanese-skiving-knife-35mm-straight-blade-right-hand/ Tandy has one for $70 that looks great, Weaver has a very affordable one at $30 ... Sailrite has one for $100 (and it is damascus also) https://www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Damascus-Japanese-Leather-Skiving-Knife Leatherwranglers has one (is a bit more expensive - though it is probably fantastic) Quote
Members zuludog Posted Friday at 07:33 PM Members Report Posted Friday at 07:33 PM (edited) I too like Japanese Leather Knives, for both cutting and skiving I have that cheap JLK with the red painted handle that you see on lots of budget online suppliers. It's surprisingly good for the price, mine was about £6 but you have to do a lot of sharpening & working on the bevel to get it into a decent state. I also scraped & sanded off the rather tacky red paint, now the handle is more comfortable and the wood grain is quite attractive Chartermade are good - as they should be for the price! Various mid priced Japanese makes include Craft Sha, Seiwa, and Kyoshin Elle ; but more important than the particular make is to learn how to sharpen it really well - there are loads of YT Videos about sharpening & using JLKs Shop around and you can find good mid priced JLKs. I only know of two suppliers in the USA - Weaver Leathercraft and Rocky Mountain Leather supply but I'm sure American members can suggest others. Have a look at this -- https://www.weaverleathersupply.com/products/flat-leather-knife?variant=40929396261004 And I think this shows it in use Edited Friday at 07:42 PM by zuludog Quote
Members zuludog Posted Friday at 07:53 PM Members Report Posted Friday at 07:53 PM I've just found this, which looks interesting https://www.talasonline.com/Paring-Knives Quote
Members AEBL Posted Saturday at 12:07 AM Members Report Posted Saturday at 12:07 AM (edited) @zuludog - I have one of them, they're great. (English, right-hand, 2.0 mm) Edited Saturday at 12:08 AM by AEBL Quote
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