Swivel Knives

[cowgirl1954]

Hello,

My name is Jacque and I am new to leatherworking and carving. I have been given some very cheap swivel knives to practice with. They are all pretty much suck. Who makes good quality swivel knives? I have been recommended to Henley, Sk-Knives, and the Tangle Boss. Don't know which to go at this point I am leaning toward a tangle boss for a beginner he says there is very little learning curve. So any opinions out there?

[King's X]

I own most brands of swivel knives on the market with the exception of a Tangleboss. The one that use the most in order. SK-3, Chuck Smith Ol'Smoothie and my Barry King. If you are serious about this craft, I would suggest an SK-3, Henley, Bob Beard Pro-Series, or Ol' Smoothie in no particular order. If you are just going out to get slowly, you cannot go wrong with a Barry King knife for the cost. Even if you just want to make a small investment I would buy a BK blade for $15 and put it in your craftool. This is what I usually recommend to beginners because just the swivel knives can get costly. When I get a chance to get a Tangleboss, and I will. I will be able to give some recommendations. Just my opinion.

[cowgirl1954]

Thank you for getting back to me. I am serious about this craft and I want a good swivel knife. My husband has arthritis in his hands so he thinks he wants a tangle boss. Right now my carving sucks because I don't have a nice knife with a bearing in it that makes it smooth. Can't seem to find an ol smoothie. Chuck Smith has a website which is not finished and he is on facebook but I have tried to contact him with no luck. So I don't know anything about his knife.

another question: Do you prefer ceramic blade or steele blades? Who has good blades? where can they be purchased?

[electrathon]

I own a few swivel knives. If I had to replace them I would buy the SK3, then a Chuck Smith and then a Tangleboss last (it is more of a gimic than a primary knife).

I personally do not really like ceramic blades. If you buy a good knife it will come with a quality blade.

Edited February 3, 2013 by electrathon

[Tina]

I could not live in the leatherworld without my SK3 knife, it makes the carving a most pleasurable time :-)

[Bob Blea]

My Leatherwranglers SK-3 was one of the first 'high end' tools I got and I think it was one of the best things I could get. It is worth every penny. I also have a Barry King knife and I like it too, especially for decorative cuts, but I carve all my designs with my SK-3.

Bob

[Mike Craw]

Hey Cowgirl!

Call Chuck Smith at 760-749-5755. His wife, Lana, usually answers the phone. Tell her what you need and she'll fix you up. She's a doll and fun to talk to. Hope this helps.

Mike

[Cyberthrasher]

Who has good blades? where can they be purchased?

The SK-3 is available from Leather Wranglers. You can also buy the blade to fit your Tandy barrel

http://www.leatherwranglers.com/products.html

Barry King makes both complete swivel knives or individual blades to fit Tandy sized barrels.

http://www.barrykingtools.com/swivelknives.htm

[King's X]

I do not like my Ceramic blades mainly because I do have nerves issues and sometimes my tools fall from loss of grip. The ceramic blades kept chipping and I kept having to put an edge back on them. In some of my other swivel knives, I have replaced the blade with all Barry King blades....you just cannot beat the price for a good blade. And Barry knows because I bought like 8 of them at the last show in different sizes and widths.

Good luck

[Cyberthrasher]

In some of my other swivel knives, I have replaced the blade with all Barry King blades....you just cannot beat the price for a good blade. And Barry knows because I bought like 8 of them at the last show in different sizes and widths.

Good luck

I'm about to do the same. There are a couple of different blades I want, like a beader and some good angled blades - the stuff I don't use all to often but when I need it, I wish I had it. Not something I can justify buying a whole new assembly for, but the price for the various blades to go to my Tandy barrels is well worth it.