Members theoldcoyote Posted September 6, 2012 Author Members Report Posted September 6, 2012 I definitely recommend starting with a professional knife and blade! Henley, Chuck Smith, Bob Beard, Leather Wranglers and Barry King all make excellent products. I use Beard, Henley and LW the most, but any of those would be a good choice! I feel strongly that a beginner should start out with a 1/2" barrel and a 3/8" straight blade. I prefer the hollow ground blades. If you will learn to use that set-up, it makes it easy to go to a specialty knife later on. Hey Bobby, would you recommend a 3/8" thick or thin as my starter? Also thinking of ordering a 1/4" angle as well so I can try out both. Quote God made men, but Sam Colt made'em equal
hidepounder Posted September 6, 2012 Report Posted September 6, 2012 Hey Bobby, would you recommend a 3/8" thick or thin as my starter? Also thinking of ordering a 1/4" angle as well so I can try out both. My answer might have been different a couple of years ago, however, I'm not sure that blade thickness concerns me as much now. I think the answer depends a lot on what you will be tooling. If you are cutting skirting leather, I would opt for the thicker blade. However, when cutting in thinner leather the blade thickness has less impact. Here's the thing. Both blades will make the exact same width cut, up to the thickness of the thinner blade. So if you are going to cut deeper that the thickness of the thinner blade you might want a thicker one. But if you are cutting in 5 oz leather, you will never bury your blade deep enough into the leather to benefit by the thicker blade. There has definitely been a trend toward thinner blades, largely due to the more refined patterns we are tooling now. All that said, the thicker blade may be a more versatile one, but the thinner blades are definitely easier to cut with. You may benefit by learning more proper technique starting out with the thicker blade, but I wouldn't criticize anyone for using the thinner one. Sounds like a complicated answer....sorry, but I hope it helps! Bobby Quote
Members theoldcoyote Posted September 6, 2012 Author Members Report Posted September 6, 2012 Thanks again Bobby. I ordered a Barry King with a 5/8" barrel, 3/8" straight thin and 1/4" angle. Looking forward to learning. Any good books you'd recommend? Quote God made men, but Sam Colt made'em equal
Members St8LineGunsmith Posted October 8, 2012 Members Report Posted October 8, 2012 If I was going to drop a lot of money on a swivel knife I would get a tangle boss Quote No Matter Where Ya Go There Ya Are. Chattown Leatherheads American Plainsmen Society Society Of Remington Revolver Shooters(SCORRS) THE SUBLYME & HOLY ORDER OF THE SOOT, (SHOTS) The St8 Line Leathersmith I was Southern Born, I am Southern Bred And when I Die I will Be Southern Dead! I fly this Southern Flag Because my Ancestors Flew it in A war to ensure our God given rights against a Tyrannical Government. Heritage Not Hate!
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