Question Regarding Round Knife

[Tannin]

Hi Alex, Yes, very happy with my Barnsley round/head knife (& my Barnsley English paring knife) but I am a hobbyist so they don't get a huge amount of use, as a pro's would. They are tools made for professional leather workers.

Re. 4", No, just one size I think but you could try asking LePrevo - I expect they bought a few boxes of tools when Barnsley went out of business some years. Happily, I read that some of the Barnsley decedents are starting the company up again, selling off some old stock and (I think) starting to make some new tools too - good luck to them . I would have preferred a 4" knife but this was the best deal and, the way I look at it, the 5" will eventually become a 4" (and then smaller) with use and sharpening - although that may well after my time! - and there is plenty of spare metal if I mess up (cutting or sharpening) a few times! :D Not a big deal really. Nor have I been tempted to cut down the handle so far (as suggested in Al Stohlman's tool booklet). BUT I strongly advise reviewing Al Stohlman's safety tips (in his tool booklet) before using a head/round knife for the first time - they are excellent and might save a finger or two

[alexitbe]

Hi Tannin,

Thanks for your response... I have contacted them and they only do a 5" knife. I wonder why Stohlmann was so against 5" knives...

Like you said though, the price is so good, in comparison to the only 4" available knives that I think i will end up buying...

Cheers

Alex

[Legendary Leathercrafts]

Some really great info here on round knives. I'm just curious if anyone has any feedback on these round knives by leather wranglers? I'm interested in getting one but it is a large investment. I really like the idea of a draw blade as well. http://www.shop.leatherwranglers.com/product.sc?productId=25&categoryId=7

[Tannin]

Seems awfully expensive but sure is pretty It looks like a good design and I would be surprised if it didn't come sharp & work extremely well. Bit like a Ferrari solution - but if you use it everyday perhaps a worthwhile investment. The most expensive tools aren't always necessary & don't always turn out to be the best/most effective option* (but sometimes they are :D - and if you enjoy them...). Just don't loose the darn thing!

[alexitbe]

I bought the Barnsley one I mentioned above. It seems pretty good, although I have not dared to sharpen it yet. It cut through the sofa when I dropped it on it. So its quite sharp already.

The cost was alittle less than 25 pounds. Cannot grumble at that price.

Also, bought their long skiving knife, which was only about 5 pounds.

You can buy directly from them and I was communicating with the owner (Mr Barnsley) over email.

Cheers

Alex

[KWosnig]

Difference between a head knife and a round knife is this. A head knife is beveled and sharpened on one side only, flat edge on opposite side for giving square cuts. Round knife is beveled and sharpened on both sides, giving a V cut.

Other than that, maintaining the edge is the only requirement, also these knives are meant to be pushed away from you, not pulled towards you or have the blade pointed into your body.

Edited March 9, 2015 by KWosnig

[Greywolf]

Thanks for the replies and the advice, much appreciated.

i currently use the Al Stohlman brand knife, not the Damascus blade but the regular one, I like it a lot but I just started using the round knife. I want a Damascus blade but Tandy doesn't carry them any more. As I get deeper into my business I can see that I will want to upgrade to a better knife, I used to be a professional cook and used Wustof Grand Prix knives made with high carbon trident steel from Soligen, Germany, absolutely loved them, and I never had a problem with rust, I would love to get something like that! As far as sharpening is concerned the two angles on the edge work best, cooks prefer them that way because they don't have to steel them as often, or re sharpen as often, many cooks have there knives professionally sharpened but I was too cheap to do that, I used a tri- honed ceramic sharpener and I also had a diamond steel, and a regular steel and so I could keep a good edge all the time, I don't know how that would work with a round knife as I am out of practice.

[Tannin]

I bought the Barnsley one I mentioned above. It seems pretty good, although I have not dared to sharpen it yet. It cut through the sofa when I dropped it on it. So its quite sharp already.

...

Owch. You took that in good humour. An important lesson expensively learnt - at least it wasn't your finger. I had a similar incident myself recently, albeit with an extremely sharp carving axe - it cut through its protective edge guard and slashed a faint line on a car seat, which some weeks later split open - annoying too as I normally keep all tools secured in the boot/trunk. I've since designed and made a more substantial edge guard for it I think folk in the UK (unlike, say, Sweden) have become accustomed to blunt knives & tools and are unprepared for what very sharp tools can do (and I include myself in that). I no longer allow people to handle my carving axes because, in general, I find they handle them with insufficient regard for their own safety - drop one of these on your foot & you will loose toes. My family have asked me to inform them whenever I sharpen kitchen knives now because, inevitably they or a guest cut themselves if not warned.

I suggest making a protective sheath (with a centre welt for the cutting edge) for your round knife a.s.a.p take a look at this thread: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=56687

Make sure you read all of the head knife sections is Al Stohlman's "Leathercraft Tools" booklet (I found it cheaper to order it from Amazon.com in the USA than to buy it from Amazon.co.uk or other UK suppliers - although I think LePrevo might have it at reasonable price) - it might save a finger.

Then, if it doesn't need sharpening, strop it on piece of leather glue to a piece of wood, with compound/polish if you have some (see Al's booklet or youtube for various techniques) - be careful when sharpening & stropping. The bevels should shine, near mirror finish, for most effective cutting.

Proceed with caution...it's a little scary and it demands your full attention but it is surprisingly versatile and effective.

Edited July 13, 2015 by Tannin

[Jimmy McLaughlin]

I see this is a old post but a good one. I just purchased a knife from Terry Knipschield and I love the knife. I am a new comer to the leather world, I didn't want to spend a lot of money on tools. I started out with box cutters then went up to Tandy's Al Stoleman's round knife. When I got the French blade one Terry made I couldn't believe the difference between the two. It the same with stamps and all the other tools I purchased, like most things you do get what you pay fore. The thing with the knife is, it is not that much more, what you get is a whole lot more. Look at that beautiful thing. If your logged in, thank you Terry.

 

Jim

[Greywolf]

I have the Bob Klenda model and love it and I also got a draw gage knife blade from Terry and it is incredible. They are expensive but way well worth it!