knives

[Tina]

There are a few of you guys talking about Henley knives. Where are they sold? ive searched around on the web and cant seem to locate anything.

Does anyone know where a guy can get a rube tipped blade anymore for a swivel knife?

Every now and again the ruby tips shows up on Ebay :-)

[CitizenKate]

There are a few of you guys talking about Henley knives. Where are they sold? ive searched around on the web and cant seem to locate anything.

You can order them straight from the manufacturer. They are very nice to deal with. You can find product and contact information at this site: http://gemosphere.tripod.com/GEMOSPHERE/Swivel_Knivesx.html.

Kate

[CitizenKate]

The one knife I grab without even thinking is my red one from Paul. I have to say, with the blade I have and the type of carving I'm doing, this knife Does makes it all much, much easier.

True, a better swivel knife does take a lot of the effort out of carving. Still doesn't fix the problem (which I still have been known to have on occasion) of not knowing where to steer it. Heheh!

I've been admiring those Wrangler knives. I may end up adding one of those to my collection yet.

Kate

[Rawhide]

You can order them straight from the manufacturer. They are very nice to deal with. You can find product and contact information at this site: http://gemosphere.tripod.com/GEMOSPHERE/Swivel_Knivesx.html.

Kate

I'm not sure if the pricing is the same Kate.. I can't remember, but I have two henley's one fat and one thin barrel. I don't like the fat barrel much, my hands aren't big enough for it I guess, so it doesn't get much use, but I like the thin barrel a lot. I haven't played with the L. wrangler yet, but know someone who has one... He says he likes the barrel and yoke, but not quite sold on the blade yet... He still likes the ceramics. I may have to add one of those to the collection..

[okiwen]

I would like to know your thought on the Barry King as opposed to the Ol Smoothie. I know that the Ol Smoothie is good, but i never tried the Barry King. $100 compared to $45. What are the votes?

TIA

For the swivel knife it has to be something comfortable for you. Some like thicker or thinner barrels. Others like a medium knurling or a finer knurling. Different cradles feel different. Blades are the bigger difference to me. Some like a thicker blade, others thin. Longer blade, angled blade, straight blade - there are a lot of choices. One not mentioned in this thread yet is Henley. I've got a few, but my users are a Barry King, Henley, original Hackbarth, thin and thick barrel Ol Smoothies. Each has a little different blade set up and that is the bigger difference for me.

For round knives I still like my old Clydes for most stuff. I got to play with one from Bob Dozier last April. It was a very good knife, and I ended up and got one at a show the next month. No regrets there.

[CitizenKate]

I'm not sure if the pricing is the same Kate.. I can't remember, but I have two henley's one fat and one thin barrel. I don't like the fat barrel much, my hands aren't big enough for it I guess, so it doesn't get much use, but I like the thin barrel a lot. I haven't played with the L. wrangler yet, but know someone who has one... He says he likes the barrel and yoke, but not quite sold on the blade yet... He still likes the ceramics. I may have to add one of those to the collection..

They don't keep the information on that page up to date, so you'll need to contact them for current pricing. At least the contact info is still current.

I use different barrel sizes for different purposes. In general, the 1/2" barrel (with a straight blade) is great for better control on those straight lines and wider curves. I use the 3/8" barrel (with an angled blade) for tight curves and decorative cuts.

I have seen some notable exceptions to these parameters. Some guys can do some incredible things with those fat, straight blades. I am not one of them. LOL

Kate

[bruce johnson]

I would like to know your thought on the Barry King as opposed to the Ol Smoothie. I know that the Ol Smoothie is good, but i never tried the Barry King. $100 compared to $45. What are the votes?

TIA

The blade and the barrel are the differences in mine. One Ol Smoothie has a 3/8 barrel with a 1/4" slim blade. The other Ol Smoothie has a 5/8 barrel and a 1/2" blade. The Barry King has a 1/2" barrel and a 3/8" blade. Each was bought at different times and for different needs. I grab my BK just as much as any of them. The Henley has a 1/2" barrel and 3/8" blade. The blade opens a little wider ditch than the BK, the blades are reported to last longer beofre sharpening, but I don't like the yoke as much as Barry's. I got it because of the great reviews they get. I haven't had it long enough to do any more than strop the blade. I am not sure I am stropping it any less than the others because stropping is kind of a habit. I probably wouldn't run out and hunt down a R Hackbarth knife, but this one came on an buy it now ebay deal that lasted about 12 minutes after the guy listed about 10 original Hackbarth stamps and the knife for a song. The yoke is pretty good, but no cool ball bearing show off action for when you are running one at 3000 rpm tooling and smoke is coming off your leather. The blade seems alright. It makes a good straight tracking knife. If I was looking at doing it again and didn't have a good one, I'd get a couple of Barry's with different blade setups to start with. For the price you can have two set up for different duties at the same price you'd pay for one of the others.

[okiwen]

Thank you. I know that the bearings in the Ol Smoothie are sweet but I didn't know if the BK was just as smooth. I have some tools on order from BK now, I guess I'll add this to it.

"I'd get a couple of Barry's with different blade setups to start with. For the price you can have two set up for different duties at the same price you'd pay for one of the others.

[Tina]

True, a better swivel knife does take a lot of the effort out of carving. Still doesn't fix the problem (which I still have been known to have on occasion) of not knowing where to steer it. Heheh!

I've been admiring those Wrangler knives. I may end up adding one of those to my collection yet.

Kate

Hi Kate,

if you ever come across the knife at a show or anywhere, take the time to try them out...It's a blast. I was surpriced myself how much a good knife actually could help out. As you can see I have the narrow barrel which for me is perfect, it really helps on those tricky bends and such. Another thing I have discovered is that I almost never ever get the cramps in my hand as I do with heavier/bulkier knifes. To me this is the RR of swivel knifes, just my 2 cents:-)

[CitizenKate]

Hi Kate,

if you ever come across the knife at a show or anywhere, take the time to try them out...It's a blast. I was surpriced myself how much a good knife actually could help out. As you can see I have the narrow barrel which for me is perfect, it really helps on those tricky bends and such. Another thing I have discovered is that I almost never ever get the cramps in my hand as I do with heavier/bulkier knifes. To me this is the RR of swivel knifes, just my 2 cents:-)

I do every chance I get, which unfortunately until now has not been very often. But I know what you mean. The first good swivel knife I got was for very intricate carving, like small letters or tight, curvy knot patterns. It, too, is very light and comfortable, and the small, thin blade makes it easy to cut very accurately. I think that one is a bit under-rated, I really have enjoyed using it.

The only thing giving me cramps lately is the mallet I'm using, since the 20oz maul my brother-in-law made me out of wood got pounded into splinters. It sure was great while it lasted. I could pound all day and not feel any joint stress. Now, I've got a 20oz. BK maul on the way. That one should last just a bit longer.

Kate