EXPENSIVE high end Swivel Knives???

[outcast]

You can get ruby blades down under at this place: http://www.leffler.com.au/

Item # 8023-00

Edited April 10, 2008 by outcast

[JRedding]

I've got to agree with the majority here, better tools help produce better results. Why work so hard to acheive professional results with beginners tools. The cost of a good swivel knife is ten times that of the cheapest, but worth every penny. It's really not how long the cradle will spin, or if it's engraved , it's if it helps you do a better job. For people who spend anywhere from a fair amount of time with one in their hand, to those who spend a lot of time with one in your hand, something to consider is the long term effect of struggling with a cheapo, it's no secret leather carving can turn you into a cripple when you're old. So you've got to consider the benefit of running a knife that works smoothly and isn't fatiguing to the damage of years spent with hand cramps and sore forearms. The cheap knives serve a purpose they're great to start out with before you know if this is something you will stick with but if you're going to stay with it a better quality swivel is a good investment in both you're work and you're hands.

[bustedlifter]

My knives are almost 40 year old Tandy swivel knives and the cheap hollow ground made in japan blade does the bulk of my carving.I would like to try an expensive knife someday but then again I've heard a good mechanic doesn't blame his tools.

[Rawhide]

My knives are almost 40 year old Tandy swivel knives and the cheap hollow ground made in japan blade does the bulk of my carving.I would like to try an expensive knife someday but then again I've heard a good mechanic doesn't blame his tools.

That's a good one. Although, I've never seen a good mechanic with cheap tools either.

M.

[ClayB]

Seems like this topic comes up every so often. In my opinion, Bob Beard makes the nicest swivel knives I have tried, but I dont have one. I have never really figured that I NEEDED one, although I would like to have one someday. I get along fine with several Craftool ones and one of the heavy brass ones they came out with back in the 80's.

But, in the last couple years, my index finger on my left hand (the one that I use to carve with) has started to have quite a bit of pain. The last couple weeks it's getting worse and I will probably have to get it checked out by a doctor soon. So Jim's post has me wondering if there really is a good reason to spend the money on a better quality swivel knife. And, is there a chance I can convince my insurance company that there is a medical reason I need one and they should pay for it??????????

[Roger]

i have two barry king knives. i think they are great for the money. $40 with a blade.

i would like to try a beard but, don't think i would ever spend the money on one but, without trying one i can't say.

[bruce johnson]

I have two of the old Craftool knives from the 80s Clay referred to and like them both. I have fatboy and slim barrel ones from Chuck Smith, one from Barry, and an old reportedly pre-Ellis Hackbarth with a set of tools. I also have two of the old Craftool adjustables with the border tool and a beader blade. All of my "carvers" have a smooth action. I adjusted the height the way I was taught, and thought that a crampy index finger after a while was just part of the deal. I have a different type of blade in each, slim, wide, angled, steeper bevel, short bevel. Which one I use depends on what I am cutting, how much tight turning, and how wide I need to lay it open. Also, I am not a believer that all swivel knife blades need to be the same angle. Between all but the craftool blades, I don't see enough of a difference that I could tell. They all seem to have about the same mileage before stropping, which is not that big a deal anyway.

When I got the Hackbarth, I just tried it the way it came out of the box. It was set a little shorter, and while the blade was dull, it felt GOOD. I dropped my others to this height, and haven't looked back. Not too long after this, someone (gtwister I am thinking) replied in a post about how to measure your hand for the barrel diameter and the height adjustment. It was dead on with what I finally found works for me. I have searched the posts trying to find that one, and haven't come up with it. If anyone knows where it is, please put a link in.

[Rawhide]

... Not too long after this, someone (gtwister I am thinking) replied in a post about how to measure your hand for the barrel diameter and the height adjustment. It was dead on with what I finally found works for me. I have searched the posts trying to find that one, and haven't come up with it. If anyone knows where it is, please put a link in.

I'd be interested in finding that again as well. Hope someone remembers where it is.

Where's ClayB, he always know where everything is.

Marlon

[JRedding]

Just so I'm not misunderstood I'm not hackin' on anyone if they choose to stick with a twenty dollar knife, it just helped me when I spent the money and upgraded, if someone else does fine without spending it great. But saying you've got a Craftool knife that's twenty or thirty years old isn't the same thing as the one you'd get today, I've got a lot of the old ones and they're nothing like the ones a person gets at the present time. I rode an old Potts-Longhorn saddle when I was a kid that was a production saddle in it's day but a "production" saddle made in '72 doesn't much resemble one made in '02. The quality of most things off the shelf has changed a lot in the last twenty or thirty years. Bustedlifters forty year old knives are probably the same quality you'd find in all but the most expensive swivels today.

[Duke]

I too am interested in seeing thatold posting about how to fit your swivel knife to your hand.if we cant find it, can we get the gentleman that posted it the first time to repost? thx