Barry King dot so-what

[howlback]

I don't really see what the purpose of this thread is?

You think Barry King swivel knifes are too expensive? Oh dot well.

That being said, is someone buys you a Robert Beard swivel knife just PM for my address. I'll pay for shipping.

[immiketoo]

2 hours ago, Clintock said:

 

Now somebody here seemed to get mad cause Jeff didn’t want the knife... why? Was the knife sent to you? No it wasn’t. I sent it to Jeff. If Jeff wants to keep it, good. If not, good. It’s his decision. I’m not here to bad mouth anyone but I can see the point Jeff has made. I’m not a carver. Had some extra money and wanted to try improve my skills. Bought me a knife. Works same as the el cheapo. I sent Jeff one to show appreciation for the help he’s given me. With that being said..

I have a Barry King knife for sale with a 1/2” barrel with 3/8” straight blade. $60 I cover shipping. 

Keep on keeping on Jeff! Your work speaks for itself. I ain’t offended by it. I got my big boy britches on today! 

Mad?  Not hardly.  I just wonder why someone would return a gift that was given out of appreciation due to a perceived lack of quality.  Seems to me that it would be something worth holding on to as a thank you, but I am a more sentimental man than most.  I still have the little trinkets children gave of out of appreciation when I was a police officer.  They may not remember it, but I do.  To each their own.

[JLSleather]

Just bookmark the page.. so anybody sending me a beard knife will know to just send on to you.  Assuming Bob is a darn decent fella (and he may be, I owuldn't know) in teh end the name don't carry no weight round here.  I also don't own any al stohlman brand stuff.

If it helps you, or even if it do'nt but you like to have it anyway, have at 'er. I'm not ordering one, so you sure kin have the one that aint mine

 

[JLSleather]

Sometimes I offer a little experience (even "bad" ones) that might help a fella.  If YOU can learn from MY mistakes, this is good.  But if I was going to attach a price to it, I would say that up front. 

Big Souix, your opinion has value at my place.. 'preciatcha keepin' an eye on me

To return to normal programming - as in something leather which is profitable, inspiring, or informational -- EVERYBODY should see 

 

 

[rustyj58]

Quote

 

It is all a matter of preference. Like Hand tools, Snap-On is about the standard yet Harbor Freight is usually a tenth of the price and does the same job. And, honestly sometimes better, REALLY!

What it always comes down to is the SKILL, Knowledge and Experience. If one thinks a Name Brand will improve their work then it usually does. BK makes AWESOME tools, Stamps yet, they aren't for everybody. I was and am surprised by some of the sniping in this thread. But we all have our opinions so let it out, move on and everyone enjoy the craft as we all learn and grow. Rather we are using Bob the Builder Swivel Knives or BK's. What works WORKS and that's that!

Rusty

[JLSleather]

Actually, I had forgotten all about this. Now that it's brought up, let's try this other approach. EVERYBODY go pick up one of these knives.  Then post a pic of your work "before" teh knife, and the same carving "after" the knife.  Then we'll know it's the knife, eh?

 

[YinTx]

This is fun.  I went to a short class with Jim Linnell when I had the opportunity at the IFOLG show.  My wreckerative cuts suck.  So I stood next to him at the end of class and watched him work, very smooth, quick, easy.  I handed him my knife, said "Hey, my decorative cuts are miserable.  I want to make sure it is me and not the knife."  He said "Almost never the fault of the knife.  Hey, your blade has a nice polish on it."  He made a few cuts, did fine, handed it to the other guy teaching the class, who put down his really nice looking super spinner swiveler, and cut with mine.  Says "hey, I actually like this knife!"  I said "Great, you want to trade?" (he declined lol).

So clearly the performance of the tool was in the hand of the beholder.  I also got better when I put a different blade that I had sharpened a bit better in, and a little bit better after a few hundred cuts.  I still kinda suck though.

I also watched a guy put a super razor sharp edge on a Japanese kitchen knife with a brick - from his back yard.  I've put a decent edge on a knife with a broken cheap stone.  Also a pretty good edge with a pricey stone.  If I had the skill and no $$, the brick will do.  With a bit of skill and a bit of $$, the nicer stone is fun to use, and I can get a little bit better results with it than I would a brick.  I have a basket weave stamp that won't go straight to save my life.  Have a Robert Beard that goes straight as an arrow no challenge.  As my momma always said, you pays your money, you takes your chances!  I've been itchin for a nice blade in a nice swivel knife, but for now, my old Tandy blade is cuttin along.

YinTx

[JLSleather]

I once saw a video of a guy carving leather effortlessly with a metal spatula from the grill.  Smooth, clean cuts.  I'll leave it to him if he wants to share his video or not.

But it was never about knives.  The whole point was - and is - when you start dropping names as if that would influence the quality of the tool in any way, you have diminished respect for yourself and not added any for the names you drop.

These people who created these "must have" tools... HOW did they become skilled carvers BEFORE THE TOOL existed?  They didn't need it, but want to push the idea that YOU need it.  Videos of course the same principle.. those pushing videos, HOW did they gain their own skill/experience BEFORE the video existed?  

Some small man will be along directly, inordinately defensive, to act as though I'm trying to talk people OUT of buying these things.  Not the case at all --- I'm a firm believer that what a guy does with HIS money is none of my business, nor my concern.  And I don't sell them, so I have no dog in that fight .. no interest one way or the other.  

What I actually said was short and clear - I got a knife, didn't know it was coming, viewed it as no better or worse than other knives I already own, which caused me to see it as an unnecessary expense.  I don't "collect" tools just to have them, nor do I keep tools based on who made them (in fact, I don't know of anyone so important that their name on a tool would cause me any concern at all).  Wasn't about money, since I didn't need to spend ANY to have the knife - could have just kept it free and clear.  But if I wouldn't spend MY money on it, then I certainly wouldn't spend YOUR money on it. Sadly, that's become the exception rather than the rule these days -- I am aware that most have no trouble spending OTHERS' money ...

 

 

 

[chrisash]

If you market two items straight off the same production line, and call one "X" and the other "X Plus" at a higher value, many will pay extra for the plus version as they see perceived value in the name plus, its all about building up a brand value

We all appreciate a top end sports car like a Ferrari but has anyone ever seen one with 100,000 miles on the clock, I doubt it , yet all other standard cars these days are good for many more miles than that with just a service every year or two. yet one costs £100,000 plus the other about £25,000. Experts will buy a knife knowing its made of the best steel for knives at a high price, whilst others just buy because of a name regardless of the real quality of the steel, or you can pay a fortune for a old bottle of wine, yet it's corked when you do open it, and valueless

Perceived value is a tricky thing experts in marketing try very hard to attach to a brand, which may or may not go along with quality

[Rhale]

I have a lot of different swivel knives by different makers guess you could say I collect swivel knives, all can cut leather, some better than others.  All take some getting use to.  About the time I think one is better than the other I try a different brand and after getting use to it I think it’s better.  I think all the higher end knives are great, the blade, sharpness and barrel size you get use to seems to effect me more than who made it. I prefer 3/8” barrel with 1/4” straight blade in most all for carving,  a little larger barrel and blade for long straight border type lines. Chrispness of stamps is a whole other story, I don’t think you will get Bob Park type carving or stamping with craftool swivel knife and stamps.  Just my 2 cents..