Swivel Tip Knife (Swivel Tip Carver) Fair Price?

[beanthere]

Hello, just a quick question. I purchased some vintage tools on e-Bay couple different lots and received one of these Swivel Tip knives/carvers in each. I had someone interested in buying one and am trying to figure out a fair price. The last one sold on e-Bay was in November so the details are gone, and I can't seem to find any other information about them on the net. I believe they are from some time in the 1960's, I have the instructions with one of them but no date, just claims you can use it like a pen and even do your signature in leather. Thanks for any help.

[bruce johnson]

I've seen them sell from $5 to $35 or so. You grip them about like a pen, but that is about as far as it goes. I borrowed one when I had a hand injury a few years ago. I think there is a bigger learning curve than a swivel knife. The cutting tip swivels, so the actual tip is out on the end. It is like pulling a long trailer that cheats on turns. You have to make an exaggerated movement to keep the tip on the line on curves. It does large curves and straight lines alright. By the time I got pretty adequate with the one I was using, I was healed up. It got me by in a bad spot, and I appreciated that.

[whinewine]

There was also a plastic version, in addition to the metal version that you have, so I'd expect the metal version would go for more.

russ

[TimDreamer]

I have one that was in the tool set that I inherited from my FIL. I had never seen or used one before. Tried finding the company who made them but had no luck.

There is a similar one made nowdays that have a scalpel like blade in them and look wicked sharp. I think they were made for actual surgeries but the use has bled (no pun intended) over into scrapbooking for carving out cuts in paper. I imagine it would be hard to control the depth of the cut with that kind of blade, but it might lend itself to filigree work.

Thanks for the background, Mr. Johnson, I'll think twice about using it without lots of practice beforehand.

[azrider]

Thank you both for the info. I just got one of these and had no idea what it was. New tool to play with...

[beanthere]

Thank you both for the info. I just got one of these and had no idea what it was. New tool to play with...

Happy to share the instructions that come with it. They don't give a ton of information but will help some. Enjoy.

[azrider]

Thank you. I will see how this works tonight. Sharpening should be fun.