Ceramic Swivel Knife Blades

[electrathon]

I started with Tandy blades, found that a well sharpened one was about as good as a ceramic one. I used ceramic for a while till I was demonstrated the differance betreen the ceramic and a good steel blade. The drag differance was unmistakable. I now have a Henly blade. I almost cut through the leather the first time I used it the differance was so great.

I have never used a Ruby blade. My Dad has been doing leatherwork for 50 years. He told me he got a ruby blade once long ago. He loved it till it got dull and he thought he could sharpen it, bad mistake.

[Rawhide]

I started with Tandy blades, found that a well sharpened one was about as good as a ceramic one. I used ceramic for a while till I was demonstrated the differance betreen the ceramic and a good steel blade. The drag differance was unmistakable. I now have a Henly blade. I almost cut through the leather the first time I used it the differance was so great.

I have never used a Ruby blade. My Dad has been doing leatherwork for 50 years. He told me he got a ruby blade once long ago. He loved it till it got dull and he thought he could sharpen it, bad mistake.

Ruby got dull?? I didn't think they got dull. Hmmm. I have one as well (ebay). It says on the instruction sheet that the only time it needs regrinding is if it gets damaged. It also says stropping is not needed, i do anyway, but it says it's not necessary.

Marlon

[BigAlC]

Many Thanks for all your comments.

I suppose that the result is 'Suck it and see'.

It would be great to try all these blades but, there always is a but, I live in a remote place in a forest in the north of England. If you could see the additional charges I face from customs and excise, boy, would your eyes water. This is along with gas at $9.80 for a US gallon.

My wife and I are off to Tucson in 10 days. We will be hitting the local Tandy store. I suppose that I will have to try the ceramic blades and come to my own conclusion.

Your comments have been most welcome.

Keep Karving.

Alan

[pete]

all I know is that I've never had a ceramic blade drag because it was ceramic. I see lots of folks say that but I can only attest it to:

1- my blade is 20+years old and it had a better angle than some now made

2-the quality of leather is better and I'm very confident in my casing ability(when to cut it)

3-I can't comment on stropping because when I started in the 70's I was self taught and had never heard of rouge or sharpening. I just cut with it and if it dragged I cut harder or re-wet the piece!

The Henley is really sharp but the ceramic cuts like butter. Even better now that I strop it occasionally!!

ps- maybe I don't appreciate drag as my FIRST blade for 10+ years was a chipped ruby blade! I disn't know the difference!

Edited April 26, 2008 by pete

[skcricket]

I have two ruby blades on ebay right now, just search keywords " ruby blades".

They came with a lot of tools I recently purchased. i prefer my steel angle blade. I did try my friends ceramic blade and think I will be buying one after selling the rubys. It cut thru the leather like a hot knife in butter.

Pam

[firephil]

Where do you get the Henley blades?

[pepin1948]

Here: http://gemosphere.tripod.com/GEMOSPHERE/Swivel_Knivesx.html

Fantastic blades

[Roger]

i have a ceramic blade but, never use it anymore.

i never had a problem with it just, don't use it anymore.

i also have 1/4" angle ruby blade that i never use.

[BigAlC]

Hi All,

I bit the bullet and bought the Stohlman swivel knife and a set of Tandy ceramic blades.

At first I was doubtful as they were perhaps a wee bit better but no great improvement. They I gave them a serious stropping. What a difference that made. They are a treat to use. I even appreciate the white color as it helps with reflected light when doing detail.

Expensive but, to me, worth it. It was the stroping with a heavily charged strop that produced the noticable change.

Hope that this helps.

Al