Need to pull trigger on Swivel Knife Opinion plz

[Rlaing]

Could someone explain how and if the Barry King swivel or other High Swivel knives are better than (exclusive of the blade), the downside of BK or any other specialty brand as I see is they use non-standard blade shanks?

Tandy Leather Craftool Pro Swivel Knife-Large 82009-02 exclusive

Thanks in advance.

Richard

[Rlaing]

Tandy is the only knife I have held.  The substantial feeling was good.

[kseidel]

I prefer Chuck Smith Ol' Smoothie.  Shaft and yoke are mounted with a ball bearing and are balanced and smooth.  Barry King's are not.  Both are the same price.  No comparison.  I have them all, and carve many hours a day.  I mainly use the ol' smoothie.

[Rlaing]

Thanks, K      They look very nice and add a new wrinkle to the equation.  Cradle length. Which I'm seeing as barrel length. Plus adjustable overall length version, non-adjustable version.  109.00 each ouch!!! and that is with no blade.

 

[Tugadude]

On BK's website they are $50.00 including one blade.  Don't own one but BK has a great reputation for quality.

[Rlaing]

Thanks, TugadudeI need to hear from someone that has used the BK knives and Tandy's better knives, as I mention the Tandy knife is the only quality unit I have held beside the cheapo knives you see for sub 10.00 everywhere. I would hate to buy the easy route of the Tandy for 58.00 including blade to find out the BK was better in some substantive way. I am obsessive compulsive about buying only once. I will pay whatever I need to pay but not one penny more.

What do you use TUG

Edited February 22, 2017 by Rlaing

[kseidel]

Your swivel knife is not a tool to skimp and go cheap.  All of your tooling depends on the swivel knife... right down to the borders.  You will use it more than any other tool.  The cheap knives produce a lot of friction in the barrel as you carve since you are applying pressure to the top of the yoke.  This leads to ragged cuts and tremendous fatigue!  You will never regret spending a few more dollars on the swivel knife.  If you want professional quality results, get a professional swivel knife.

Chuck Smith also makes a blade machined from cobalt bar stock.  This material offers a nearly drag free cut.  I seldom even strop these blades, they carve so smoothly.  Total cost of knife with blade about $125.  Not that much in the scheme of leather working tools.  It's not like buying a stitcher!

[Rlaing]

I agree with you completely and I have come to understand the blade is the most important part of the equation. 

Thanks for your help!

Edited February 24, 2017 by Rlaing

[JustinPierce]

I just received a BK knife a couple days ago. 

It's nice and feels good, but I was surprised at how dull it was when I received it. I sharpened and honed it. But I haven't used it enough to comment on how the blade holds up. 

[Rlaing]

Hmmm, that surprises me. One of the reasons I would consider BK is that I would expect all required was stropping. How did you sharpen, isn't the blade shank nonstandard? Will it fit the typical swivel blade fixture?

 

Edited February 24, 2017 by Rlaing