Wanting to buy a Round/Head Knife

[JMcC]

Hi all,

I am in the market for a Round/Head Knife and am looking for suggestions as to what brand(s) to buy. I am not a fan of Tandy's tools anymore so the Al Stohlman is out of the question. I don't know anything about the Osborne brand knives. My budget unfortunately is only in the ballpark of $100-150. Can I get a decent knife for that amount or am I dreaming in Technicolor? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

James

[Mattsbagger]

Check Douglas Tools. I got a nice OLD Osborn for  $125. Sharp as all get out. Johnson tools also he is a member here and has a website and has stuff that hasn't had time to get on the site. Bob Johnson.

Edited January 4, 2018 by Mattsbagger

[bikermutt07]

It's above your budget but I have absolutely no regrets buying my Knipknife. I bought the French style and it is marvelous. I think they are 250 right now. And while that is not cheap, it is definitely a worthwhile investment. There is a wait involved, but I feel that is also worth it.

Edited January 4, 2018 by bikermutt07

[Mattsbagger]

Just now, bikermutt07 said:

It's above your budget but I have absolutely no regrets buying my Knipknife. I bought the French style and it is marvelous. I think they are 250 right now. And while that is not cheap, it is definitely a worthwhile investment. There is a wait involved, but I feel it it worth it.

I handled some of his knives at Sheridan. Awesome. He had a table full on Friday on Sunday none.lol He said he sent one to Nigel Armitage and he reviewed it and know he can't hardly keep up.lol Nice guy to talk to but gotta remember a 1 man shop. Said doesn't have time to train anyone to help do stuff the way he want to.

[bikermutt07]

2 minutes ago, Mattsbagger said:

I handled some of his knives at Sheridan. Awesome. He had a table full on Friday on Sunday none.lol He said he sent one to Nigel Armitage and he reviewed it and know he can't hardly keep up.lol Nice guy to talk to but gotta remember a 1 man shop. Said doesn't have time to train anyone to help do stuff the way he want to.

Yeah, when I first called him I asked about what he had in stock? He said, son I haven't had stock in 4 years. He is a wonderful guy, and yeah, when he is done there won't be any more. 

[JMcC]

10 hours ago, bikermutt07 said:

It's above your budget but I have absolutely no regrets buying my Knipknife. I bought the French style and it is marvelous. I think they are 250 right now. And while that is not cheap, it is definitely a worthwhile investment. There is a wait involved, but I feel that is also worth it.

 

10 hours ago, Mattsbagger said:

Check Douglas Tools. I got a nice OLD Osborn for  $125. Sharp as all get out. Johnson tools also he is a member here and has a website and has stuff that hasn't had time to get on the site. Bob Johnson.

Thanks guys, and after looking at the knives on Knipschield Custom Knives and talking with Terry on the phone, I decided to bite the bullet and pony up for the Chan Geer Bench Knife. He also said since I was a first time buyer from him that he would get my order out a little faster than normal. Also, he said that if after using the knife, if I decided that it wasn't what I expected or needed,  that as long as the knife was still in good condition, he would give me a refund. I just feel like I can't go wrong with his knife and quality workmanship.

[zuludog]

Vergez Blanchard have a good reputation for leatherworking tools.

Go to    http://www.fineleatherworking.com

Edited January 5, 2018 by zuludog

[bikermutt07]

3 hours ago, JMcC said:

 

Thanks guys, and after looking at the knives on Knipschield Custom Knives and talking with Terry on the phone, I decided to bite the bullet and pony up for the Chan Geer Bench Knife. He also said since I was a first time buyer from him that he would get my order out a little faster than normal. Also, he said that if after using the knife, if I decided that it wasn't what I expected or needed,  that as long as the knife was still in good condition, he would give me a refund. I just feel like I can't go wrong with his knife and quality workmanship.

As long as you are patient, you won't be disappointed. Congratulations. In the mean time if you don't have this book, I highly recommend it.

And here is some Terry porn.

[JMcC]

Nice tools Mutt! You have some serious coin in those three knives. And thanks for the book mention. It isn't one that I have in my library. Does it do a good job of presenting pictures that leave no doubt on how to sharpen the round knife? I wonder if there any good instructions on youtube on correct procedures to sharpen a round/head knife? I do better seeing it being done than trying to look at pictures or drawings.  

[Mattsbagger]

Leather Wranglers has a good video and so does Gmace also has a good video. He goes under UK Saddlery on YouTube. His Scottish accent can be thick sometimes but not as bad as my Daughter's boyfreinds.lol

[JMcC]

23 minutes ago, Mattsbagger said:

Leather Wranglers has a good video and so does Gmace also has a good video. He goes under UK Saddlery on YouTube. His Scottish accent can be thick sometimes but not as bad as my Daughter's boyfreinds.lol

Thanks Matt!

[24VOLTS]

Terry K knifes are the best.  If you can afford them they are well worth money.  Buy once and never have to worry about them.  Being said yes expensive.  I do have a new Osborne 4.25 round/head knife and I cut the handle down to fit my hand.  I bought it new off of ebay for around $50.  You will have to sharpen it and it will take some time to sharpen.  It does stay sharp. I do strop it before and after each use. It is better then the tandy stuff. 

Phill

[bikermutt07]

On 1/5/2018 at 11:26 AM, JMcC said:

Nice tools Mutt! You have some serious coin in those three knives. And thanks for the book mention. It isn't one that I have in my library. Does it do a good job of presenting pictures that leave no doubt on how to sharpen the round knife? I wonder if there any good instructions on youtube on correct procedures to sharpen a round/head knife? I do better seeing it being done than trying to look at pictures or drawings.  

Stohlman does drawings in his books. I can't remember why, but he explains why in that book. He has eight pages dedicated to the round knife.

Terry's knife you should only need to strop. I haven't had to sharpen it yet. And, I've had hit for over a year and a half.

Terry offered me the same refund policy. I told him he would have to pry it out of my cold dead hand.

[Wyowind]

On 1/4/2018 at 2:36 PM, Mattsbagger said:

I handled some of his knives at Sheridan. Awesome. He had a table full on Friday on Sunday none.lol He said he sent one to Nigel Armitage and he reviewed it and know he can't hardly keep up.lol Nice guy to talk to but gotta remember a 1 man shop. Said doesn't have time to train anyone to help do stuff the way he want to.

Sheridan is going to be expensive this year! I want to pick one of these Knips up and already have one of Steve’s Cobra C4-P’s at the top of the shopping list...