Changing swivel knife blades

[epiphanist1248]

OK, so bear with me, this may be a really dumb question but I'm asking it anyway: 

I've recently started to do more carving. I have one swivel knife with the 3/8" blade it came with. I want to get different blades for it to do finer work, but some of the blades are 1/4" and I can't find a 1/4" swivel knife. Can I use those blades in the knife I have? Or am I just not looking hard enough? I'm confused, and I don't want to spend more than I have to. Thanks in advance.

[fredk]

The 1/4" refers to the width of the blade. All swivel knife blades have a standard sized shank above the cutting blade which fits up into the swivel knife body

see here: https://www.tandyleather.eu/en/product/craftool-steel-swivel-knife-blades

[epiphanist1248]

@fredk Thanks!

[SaddleBags]

When you buy the replacement blade, make certain that it will be compatible with your knife.  Not all blades fit all knives.

[epiphanist1248]

@SaddleBags how do I tell though?

[SaddleBags]

Look at how the blade attaches, then buy one like it.  Or at least know who the maker if that knife is and buy it from the maker.

[buzzardbait]

Barry King makes blades that will fit Tandy knives.

[Arturomex]

16 hours ago, epiphanist1248 said:

@SaddleBags how do I tell though?

You can pick up a cheap, plastic vernier caliper for a few bucks and measure the shank of the blade you're using now. (Assuming, of course, that you like your knife and want to keep using it.) 

I like Barry King blades and I think they offer very good value for the money. As Buzzardbait says, in addition to the blades that fit BK knives, BK blades are available with a smaller 7/32" shank that fits Tandy knives. Leather Wranglers also offer excellent blades in different shank sizes. Can't speak about other suppliers due to lack of first hand knowledge. I lament the fact that swivel knife/blade vendors don't list the shank sizes of their products. It would make things a lot easier.

And remember that no matter which blade you buy, the vital thing is to keep it sharp so it performs at full potential.

Regards,

Arturo