First head knife

[Hilly]

Well, I'm the proud owner of my first head knife. Many people here ask "What's so special about a head knife? I cut just fine with my utility knife!" I'll tell you my first impression cutting with it: It was totally effortless, and I was cutting 8-9 oz. leather! I didn't have to make multiple passes to cut all the way through. It glided around curves so easily compared to that utilitly knife! It took me about 1/4 the time to cut out a holster as it used to. I will never go back to cutting with my utility knife!

I have arthritis and tendonitis in my right hand, and it made much easier for me to cut the leather. The best part is that I actually felt like working afterward, instead of running for the ice and Tylenol.

Now, I have to learn how to take care of it, and I'm sure I will have to learn how to sharpen it, but with Al Stohlman's leather tool book, and some stick-to-it-ness, I'll manage.

Today was a good day.

Hilly

[Rawhide]

Ok Hilly,

Now you have to give up more than that, which one did you buy, how much?

I'll give you a hint on maintainin it. When you have to sharpen it, use an extra fine diamond hone instead of the oil stone. It won't develop a dip from a lot of sharpening and will cut quickly, and clean up with water. I also strop on progressively finer auto sandpaper 800, 1200, and 2000 grit, then a rouge board.

Ok, now give us the goods. (photos are always nice.)

[Hilly]

Ok Hilly,

Now you have to give up more than that, which one did you buy, how much?

I'll give you a hint on maintainin it. When you have to sharpen it, use an extra fine diamond hone instead of the oil stone. It won't develop a dip from a lot of sharpening and will cut quickly, and clean up with water. I also strop on progressively finer auto sandpaper 800, 1200, and 2000 grit, then a rouge board.

Ok, now give us the goods. (photos are always nice.)

I gave this one a lot of thought. After reading what everyone had to say in my other thread, I decided that I wanted one sharp out of the box, but wasn't sure about putting out a lot of money for something I wasn't absolutely certain I would like. I talked to the folks at Hidecrafter about a Danny Marlin knives, but they've been discontinued I called Clay M. in S.D., and asked if they had any Stohlman knives, and he said he was expecting a shipment in that day. After seeing the price, and the wholesale discount ($48), I decided to try one out. Clay even sweetened the deal by sharpening the knife a bit before shipping it. Now I have it, and I love it.

I think I'll be buying more in the future, after I learn how to sharpen and gain more experience using it. Next time perhaps something custom made.

[Rawhide]

That is a good knife. It fits the hand pretty good. I have one of those as well. I bought my Danny Marlin knife from him directly. It was very nice of the seller to give your knife a touch up for you. I hope you enjoy it.

Marlon

[Clay]

Hilly,

I am happy to hear that you like the knife. It is sharp now so all you will need to do for a while is to strop it with jewlers rouge. I have to admit that I did not sharpen it my self, I took it to my friend Ken Nelson of Dakota Territory Saddle Shop. He has all the sharpening wheels and polishing wheels and it was done in a flash. Have fun with the knife and keep it pointed away from yourself!!!

ClayM.

[Hilly]

Hilly,

I am happy to hear that you like the knife. It is sharp now so all you will need to do for a while is to strop it with jewlers rouge. I have to admit that I did not sharpen it my self, I took it to my friend Ken Nelson of Dakota Territory Saddle Shop. He has all the sharpening wheels and polishing wheels and it was done in a flash. Have fun with the knife and keep it pointed away from yourself!!!

ClayM.

Thanks again, Clay! You're such a peach!

[ClayB]

Ok, I agree Mr. Miller is a great guy, but he's around 6'3". Wouldn't that make him more like a banana????

[Hilly]

Ok, I agree Mr. Miller is a great guy, but he's around 6'3". Wouldn't that make him more like a banana????

My, aren't we the comedian?

[Randy Cornelius]

Danny Martin knifes are still available from him directly. He quit wholesaleing them. He was at the show in Ft. Worth and I bought a point knife from him, works good.

There have been several good older Osborne knives listed on Ebay in the last few days. I have an old one that I use all the time. Would not give it up for nothing.

If you look at older Osborne knives look for the ones that have a star on the back side from the name. They are the good ones with excellent steel.

Randy

[Clay]

Ok, I agree Mr. Miller is a great guy, but he's around 6'3". Wouldn't that make him more like a banana????

hahahahah thats funny so would we call you peanut?!!!

[Hilly]

hahahahah thats funny so would we call you peanut?!!!

Why, is he like really, really SHORT?

[Clay]

Why, is he like really, really SHORT?

Only comes up to my elbow when I am sitting downLOL He wears a big hat to look taller. Lol

sorry ernie but you started it!!!!

[barra]

Ok, I agree Mr. Miller is a great guy, but he's around 6'3". Wouldn't that make him more like a banana????

Now, Now. That will be enough of the disparaging comments directed at 6' tall bananas. I went to school with a guy who grew up to be a 6' tall banana called B2. True story.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bananas_In_Pyjamas

[ClayB]

Cool dance there Bert, can you teach me that next time I stop in at the store?? And, "you can call me peanut if ya wants to". If the triplets have gotten to the point of watching Bambi 3 times a day yet, you'll get that line.

Sorry Hilly for side tracking your post. I am really glad that you got a knife that you like and that Clay M went the extra mile making sure it was sharp for you. That's customer service at it's best!!!

[Hilly]

Cool dance there Bert, can you teach me that next time I stop in at the store?? And, "you can call me peanut if ya wants to". If the triplets have gotten to the point of watching Bambi 3 times a day yet, you'll get that line.

Sorry Hilly for side tracking your post. I am really glad that you got a knife that you like and that Clay M went the extra mile making sure it was sharp for you. That's customer service at it's best!!!

Why be sorry, Clay? There's always time for good natured fun!

And yes to the customer service. I asked him if the knife came wicked sharp and he said sorta, so I said I wanted to see what a really wicked sharp knife felt like so I'd know when it wasn't. It must be wicked sharp because it was so easy to cut leather with. Easier than even a brand new razor blade in my utility knife. Now I'm all spoiled.

[ferret]

While you've got it sharp try experimenting with it. I just used mine to skive 1oz goat. Not the neatest skiving I've ever done, but better than the attempts with usual skiving tools.