4 inch or smaller head knife around $150 or less? Is a "French" knife a good alternative?

[Brigg]

I am looking for a smaller head knife that is good quality. I don't want to spend more than $150 as I am new to this style of knife. I can find custom ones that are $200 +. I've looked at Abbey England, RM Leather, Osbourne and I have not found one. There is the Osbourne 71 which is 4.5" but is sounds like this is a low quality knife that needs pretty serious sharpening from new.  If anyone has any recommendations please let me know.

If I need to spend more I can, I've never used or sharpened this style of knife before so I am hesitant to spend too much.

Would a French knife be a good alternative?

Image from Abbey England

[fredk]

Check out this seller

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Handmade-High-Carbon-Steel-Round-Head-Leather-Cutter-Skiving-Tool-Sheath-QC20/183974299306?hash=item2ad5b906aa:g:6oMAAOSwzRpe4n7c

Mixed, but mainly positive, reviews on the quality and sharpness as received. But all knives should be sharpened after arrival

[jcuk]

This maybe a better choice for you it will do anything a round knife can do, less of a learning curve in use and sharpening.

https://www.abbeyengland.com/barnsley-single-head-knife-552.html

They also have these cant say how good or bad they are, the blade does not look over big.

https://www.abbeyengland.com/abbey-round-knife-10222.html

Tempted by this myself but cant justify it to the other half i think, but this looks a good one they don't come up that often as good as this, yes it maybe on the large side for you now but you will get use to it and not regret it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-half-moon-cutter-cobblers-saddlers-leather-working-tool-by-Dixon/164662949917?hash=item2656ad381d:g:oVMAAOSwxTxgDAQo

Hope this helps

JCUK 

[Brigg]

1 hour ago, fredk said:

Check out this seller

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Handmade-High-Carbon-Steel-Round-Head-Leather-Cutter-Skiving-Tool-Sheath-QC20/183974299306?hash=item2ad5b906aa:g:6oMAAOSwzRpe4n7c

Mixed, but mainly positive, reviews on the quality and sharpness as received. But all knives should be sharpened after arrival

Thank you for the recommendation. Somethings that stand out to me about these knives is 1) the quality control sticker and 2) the lack of a maker's mark...they might be okay but they seems like a cheap Chinese knives.

1 hour ago, jcuk said:

This maybe a better choice for you it will do anything a round knife can do, less of a learning curve in use and sharpening.

https://www.abbeyengland.com/barnsley-single-head-knife-552.html

They also have these cant say how good or bad they are, the blade does not look over big.

https://www.abbeyengland.com/abbey-round-knife-10222.html

Tempted by this myself but cant justify it to the other half i think, but this looks a good one they don't come up that often as good as this, yes it maybe on the large side for you now but you will get use to it and not regret it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-half-moon-cutter-cobblers-saddlers-leather-working-tool-by-Dixon/164662949917?hash=item2656ad381d:g:oVMAAOSwxTxgDAQo

Hope this helps

JCUK 

Thank you for the recommendation. I just ordered the Osbourne 73 Lead knife which I think is their equivalent of the Barnsley one as it is cheaper with shipping...can't say if the Barnley would be better or worse as they both look crude but they are priced accordingly.

The Dixon one is really big.

If anyone else has recommendations for a 4" or smaller round/head knife I would still be curious.

[battlemunky]

Leatherwranglers has a round knife that I ordered about 6-7 mos ago that should be arriving any day. It is $195 though but its supposed to be excellent. It's called The PERK.

https://leatherwranglers.com/shop/ols/products/performance-essentials-round-knife

[fredk]

7 minutes ago, Brigg said:

Thank you for the recommendation. Somethings that stand out to me about these knives is 1) the quality control sticker and 2) the lack of a maker's mark...they might be okay but they seems like a cheap Chinese knives.

A. the maker is in England. As yet that is not a colony of China

b. the makers mark is embedded in the handle

c. TRY READING THE LISTING FOR ONCE- EEJIT!!

[Brigg]

31 minutes ago, battlemunky said:

Leatherwranglers has a round knife that I ordered about 6-7 mos ago that should be arriving any day. It is $195 though but its supposed to be excellent. It's called The PERK.

https://leatherwranglers.com/shop/ols/products/performance-essentials-round-knife

That looks like a nice knife. I will add it to my list of knives to consider if I decide I like that style of knife.

27 minutes ago, fredk said:

A. the maker is in England. As yet that is not a colony of China

b. the makers mark is embedded in the handle

c. TRY READING THE LISTING FOR ONCE- EEJIT!!

No where on the listing does it say where the knives are made...that is usually a pride point if they made in the place the business is located. I've never seen a custom knife maker use quality control stickers. Is the makers mark the pin decoration? Normally knife makers will sign the blade as that is the essential part of the tool. Handles don't always last the life of the knife. I know Bob Kramer uses that sort of decoration but he always signs the actual blade of the knife as far as I know.

[Retswerb]

17 minutes ago, Brigg said:

No where on the listing does it say where the knives are made...that is usually a pride point if they made in the place the business is located. I've never seen a custom knife maker use quality control stickers. Is the makers mark the pin decoration? Normally knife makers will sign the blade as that is the essential part of the tool. Handles don't always last the life of the knife. I know Bob Kramer uses that sort of decoration but he always signs the actual blade of the knife as far as I know.

 

I’m with @Brigg on this one, @fredk. The seller talks plenty about shipping from the UK, but manufacture isn’t mentioned. Then I found the statement on their website that “Blades and Blanks operates in the major regions of the world such as, South Asia, Middle East ,Australia,North America and Europe and, making our fine collection at the doorstep of the natives.  “ ( https://jayger.co.uk/about-us/ ) I have no idea what they consider the ‘doorstep of the natives’ but I doubt it’s their UK office.

EDIT: Might still be a fine knife, I just don’t see reason to share your confidence based on what’s in the listing. Do you have personal experience with them?

Edited January 24, 2021 by Retswerb

[fredk]

39 minutes ago, Retswerb said:

 

I’m with @Brigg on this one, @fredk. The seller talks plenty about shipping from the UK, but manufacture isn’t mentioned.

Its not???? You too need to read

quote from one of their listings - see the bit that says 'All items Made by us' ????

Fully functional, easy to store & good addition in your tools. Great for giving away as a gift.Each of our Damascus skiving Tool made by professionals according to the need for everyday use and they are unique in their own way.

Buy with confidence.

 

:::::All Items Made by us::::

 

Feel Free to contact us for all your Inquires, Questions and Feedback.
We will be happy to help you to design tools according to your need and taste. Thank You

 

I've not bought from them but I have been in contact with them

Just  forget it all.

I shall no longer be posting any advice or help on this website. Its a bluddy waste of my time

 

PS. the 'quality control sticker' is actually the sellers ebay listing identifier. If you bother to read or contact the seller you'd find this out and not jump to stupid unfounded assumptions

 

Edited January 24, 2021 by fredk

[tsunkasapa]

1 hour ago, Brigg said:

Thank you for the recommendation. Somethings that stand out to me about these knives is 1) the quality control sticker and 2) the lack of a maker's mark...they might be okay but they seems like a cheap Chinese knives.

Thank you for the recommendation. I just ordered the Osbourne 73 Lead knife which I think is their equivalent of the Barnsley one as it is cheaper with shipping...can't say if the Barnley would be better or worse as they both look crude but they are priced accordingly.

The Dixon one is really big.

If anyone else has recommendations for a 4" or smaller round/head knife I would still be curious.

Personally, I doubt you will be happy with this knife, I may be wrong. But based on the picture it isn't sharpened to do what a head/round knife does.