Ceramic Swivel Knife Blades

[BigAlC]

Hi All,

I am considering trying out a ceramic blade for my swivel knife. I would be interested in the views of members who have tried or even considered them.

We all search for the best blade but we all, certainly me, do not have unlimited budgets.

I look forward to your comments.

Regards to all

[pete]

absolutely love mine. I have a Henley and actually prefer the ceramic for most work.

Get a 1/4" angle for most all work though.

pete

[Washroad]

I use a ceramic blade on many things and really like it!

I still use steel blades, just whatever mood I'm in at the time.

[Timd]

I fought with steel blades for some time, gave up and bought a ceramic blade. The first time I put it to leather, it was ALMOST like the skies opened and the angels started singing!! I don't think I'll be using anything else.

[whinewine]

Sorry, I don't like the ceramic blades at all- I feel they have too much drag for my tastes. My own preference is an angle ruby blade, but I just got 2 henleys the other day & I must say, they are superb blades. You will find that some blades will work better in a certain piece of leather & the same blades may will work worse in another. It's all about matching what blade goes in best in a particular piece of leather. Having said that, I still don't care for ceramics. I have a beader (2 line) ceramic blade & also have used various other ceramics... IMHO, they still suck because of their inherent drag. (Plus, if, btw, you happen to drop a ceramic, you've just thrown away $30- they're very brittle & will break easily).

[Timd]

Russ, do you have a source for new ruby blades? I bought a box of old tools that had one in it,and I really like it, but was advised on another forum that the ruby was prone to falling out, so I stopped using it. I have to agree that it cuts alot nicer than ceramic, but to me ceramic is the way to go, since I can't sharpen steel blades worth a damn.

[wildrose]

While ceramics do run you the risk of breaking if you drop them, and I wasn't thrilled with the beader ceramic I have, I would overall recommend them. Like Timd1159, my experience with steel was not the greatest (I'm also terrible at sharpening), and I have rarely gone back after using ceramic.

[Rawhide]

I loved ceramic blades for certain leathers. They seem to cut the harder leather much easier. Now I have two Henleys and OMG. Fantastic blades. I'll probably never use ceramic again.

Marlon

[whinewine]

Russ, do you have a source for new ruby blades? I bought a box of old tools that had one in it,and I really like it, but was advised on another forum that the ruby was prone to falling out, so I stopped using it. I have to agree that it cuts alot nicer than ceramic, but to me ceramic is the way to go, since I can't sharpen steel blades worth a damn.

Tim, no, unfortunately, I don't have a source for rubies. I bought my first back in the '70s & the second I got on ebay along with 3 knives & 2 (nicely sharpened) steel blades. IF, perchance, the ruby should fall out, I'm sure a jewler could align it perfectly & epoxy it back in. Btw, I only have angle rubies- I've never tried the ruby straight. Do your mining for rubies (the blades, that is,) on ebay.

russ

[JohnsCustomLeather]

I agree that rubies are superb. I also found mine on e-bay. I have both angles and straights. My father and I Both prefer the rubies.

Edited April 25, 2008 by JohnsCustomLeather