EXPENSIVE high end Swivel Knives???

[electrathon]

I've heard a good mechanic doesn't blame his tools.

This really is a pretty good analagy here. I am a mechanic and I spend a LOT of money on good tools. Cheap tools are a waste of time and often keep you from doing a proper job. I don't think I have ever known a good mechanic that uses cheap tools.

Aaron

[bustedlifter]

This really is a pretty good analagy here. I am a mechanic and I spend a LOT of money on good tools. Cheap tools are a waste of time and often keep you from doing a proper job. I don't think I have ever known a good mechanic that uses cheap tools.

Aaron

I think I stirred up the pot a bit, kind of like Ford vs. Chevy. At any rate, I spent quite a bit of money on quality tools but I've also seen some good mechanics use some tools of lesser quality. David Genadek mentioned someone who turned out great work with a sharpened screwdriver. Very cool!

Edited April 11, 2008 by bustedlifter

[TwinOaks]

... 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??????????

Yeah, Clay, there is. It sounds like a form of acute tendonitis in the index finger. This, as you know, could lead to debilitating arthritis. And the end of your career Tell them the replacement will be ergonomically correct for your hand (and make up something about a right handed world and a bunch of conspirators).

Back to reality...I've often wondered about the yoke on top of the swivel knives. Who decided it should be that shape? I'd prefer one with a rounded/ melted edge.

Edited April 11, 2008 by TwinOaks

[Rawhide]

...Who decided it should be that shape? I'd prefer one with a rounded/ melted edge.

In the words of Peter Main, MODIFY IT. If something doesn't work the way you want it to... make it do so.Marlon Edited April 11, 2008 by Rawhide

[TwinOaks]

..one little, two little, three little MAP torches....

I like the idea, Marlon, and I might just do that. I think I'll pick up a 'spare' from Tandy before I do, though. I wouldn't want to irrevocably damage one of the ones I've inherited from my father.

[elktracks]

One of the things I see over and over in the many workshops I'm a part of is that it is the hand running the knife, not the knife that determines the quality of the work. Those of you going to Sheridan should look at what Al Stohlman used. Those of us who aspire to that level of work probably can't blame our tools. I wonder how many miles of swivel knife cuts he had on his odomoter?

Jim

[David Genadek]

I have attached a picture of the tool Bob Brown sold to carve with. Personally he used a sharpened screwdriver with some black tape wrapped around it. It worked for him but that was a different time. For me if I'm looking for at a pile of saddles that need to get carved I'm reaching for one of those high end swival knives.

David Genadek

[Rawhide]

I have attached a picture of the tool Bob Brown sold to carve with. Personally he used a sharpened screwdriver with some black tape wrapped around it. It worked for him but that was a different time. For me if I'm looking for at a pile of saddles that need to get carved I'm reaching for one of those high end swival knives.

David Genadek

I know what you mean. Just think, we used to have to start our cars out in front of it by winding it up. Now we have remote starts. I don't know about you, but I think technology is wonderful. Might as well use it while you're here. So if you have the money to spare to upgrade, I say go for it. You probably won't be satisfied until you know for yourself if the tool is worth the price.

M.

Edited April 12, 2008 by Rawhide

[TwinOaks]

Ya know....this whole conversation reminds me of two friends in an art class years ago. One kept buying new fancy gizmo mechanical pencils for his sketch work, the other used a regular old number two wood pencil. Take a wild guess at who the better artist was.

[David Genadek]

Ya know....this whole conversation reminds me of two friends in an art class years ago. One kept buying new fancy gizmo mechanical pencils for his sketch work, the other used a regular old number two wood pencil. Take a wild guess at who the better artist was.

I don't see that as the same although I understand what your saying. The artist makes the tool the tool does not make the artists. When I was learning all these tool makers were not around and it was common knowledge that you had to do some metel work if your were going to be a leather artist. The thing that people who do this as a hobby do not understand is just how taxing this profession is on your body. Will a good swivel knife make you a better carver? Not in itself. Will it make your life easier if you know what your doing? yes Will a good tool help someone that is learning get better faster? yes Will not haveing a good tool prevent some one with a burning desire to learn from getting better? no If the tool is not being used as an excuse for other issues a person is facing it will help.

David Genadek