Rockoboy Report post Posted April 17, 2017 I own 1 swivel knife at the moment, but I haven't seen it for about 30years, it's in the shed ... somewhere! Now that I am looking to replace my misplaced swivel knife, plus add to my toolkit if required, I have a couple questions. Looking on ebay, I saw lots of swivel knives marked with a letter or number. Is there any rhyme or reason to these markings or are they just to denote a different knife? Which pattern or size or configuration is the best knife to buy first for a green-as-grass-beginner, or is it entirely linked to the job? In a reasonable world, how many swivel knives are good to have and/or required, to do most things that might come up for the average leatherworker? (I am guessing some people will be suggesting double figures or as many as my finances can handle!!) Thanx for your attention. Kindest regards Brian "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you are right" Henry Ford Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanch Report post Posted April 17, 2017 I personally own 5. 2 of which I made myself to see if I could they are the ones I use the most. buy one good knife and a few blades in different configurations that's my two cents! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sofaspud Report post Posted April 17, 2017 I have 5 knives, 4 of which were given to me. The only one I purcased is Tandy's Stohlman Pro knife. I use the Stohlman with a 3/8 blade 90 percent of the time, and an old unmarked inexpensive but smooth knife with a 1/4 inch blade for really fine work. I think Sanch's advice about one good knife and a couple good blades is right on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billybopp Report post Posted April 17, 2017 I've got several knives, but like Sofaspud, use one of them the majority of the time. Two or three of them were given to me when I first started leatherwork, and they work fine but are not very comfortable to use. Comfort is important, so I bought a Tandy pro knife. It has a saddle that spins freely and is rounded over so it feels great and is height adjustable. I also found that the fatter knife works best for my arthritic hands. The others (including a couple that came in a cheap bundle with other stuff from eBay) now have fine and coarse hair blades, a round-over blade, a beveler blade, and a couple other misc. blades. So, the short version is: Get one GOOD and comfortable knife with a few good blades. Bill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rockoboy Report post Posted April 18, 2017 That is very succinct advice that I can understand the reasoning behind. Thank you guys, for your input. Kindest regards Brian "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you are right" Henry Ford Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Danno90 Report post Posted April 18, 2017 Not directly answering your question, but I saw a different take on the common swivel knife over on Youtube yesterday... The SK's older relative, the "carving knife". Basically imagine a stick or straight metal rod with the usual blade on the end. No unnatural hand postures (can be held similarly to a pencil) and all the "swiveling" comes from movement between fingers/thumb as you work. Guess being a newbie means I'm fascinated by everything at the moment. I see a tool and I want it. My (currently store-bought) wallet disagrees with me. Maybe if I replace it with one I make myself the new one would be more sympathetic? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rockoboy Report post Posted April 18, 2017 Thanx for your input Danno, but I think from the evidence I have seen of expert leathercrafters using swivel knives, that will be the way I will be going. There might well be somebody somewhere doing excellent work with a piece of rough bushwood and a broken coke bottle, but I think I need all the technology I can get to 'assist me' to achieve the best results I can. Kindest regards Brian "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you are right" Henry Ford 31 minutes ago, Rockoboy said: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
