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

[Hardrada]

49 minutes ago, Brigg said:

This was the knife I originally wanted but the size seems a bit big for me. How do you like yours?

It's indeed not on the pocket size province:

 

But my hands are towards the large size (not too large, though, and I have lean fingers). I find it OK now that I'm used to it, but at times it doesn seem a bit large.

RML has a Vergez Blanchard, smaller and within your range: https://www.rmleathersupply.com/collections/skiving-cutting-knives/products/vergez-blanchard-head-round-knife-120mm?variant=706864527

Yeah, call me a shameless enabler, but I do think you should definitely have a half-moon knife in your toolbox. It's not a waste even if you end up using it only for certain tasks. Well used, though, and you can cut straight lines and curves, even tight ones, with ease, as well as skive, glass edges, &c. If you buy a quality knife, it'll last you a lifetime, so again, I see no waste of money there but a savvy investment.

The key with these knives is that they must be kept sharp, always. So, make sure you have your sharpening stones, strop, and green compound.

Edited January 25, 2021 by Hardrada

[Hardrada]

BTW, I don't think the French knife would profit you much, certainly not as much as the half-moon one. I've never handled a French knife but by the looks of it I can infer it uses different techniques. Cutting curves with the half-moon is quite easy, but I don't see how I could use the same technique with the French one.

See here:

 

 

[thunter9]

first are you from the states? 

[zuludog]

Have a look at this video - How to sharpen your head knife for leatherwork by JH Leather. I think her knife is an old Dixons model which is no longer made, but it is very similar to the Osborne #73. Watch her other videos and you'll see that she does well enough with it

Have a look at the Osborne  # 1020 Combination Knife

Search Etsy for head/round/Japanese leather knives, there are various shapes and sizes. Those by WLM Workshop and Forged Steel Tools might suit you

It's interesting to see that neither Ian Atkinson nor Nigel Armitage appear to use a round/head knife much, if at all.

Have a look at a Clicker Knife, with the interchangeable straight and hooked blades

Depending on how I feel and the work i'm doing, I use - a Japanese leather knife, with the asymmetric blade; a Stanley/Utility/Box Cutter Knife with an extra sharpened & polished blade; and a Barnsley Head Knife

Edited January 25, 2021 by zuludog

[jcuk]

17 hours ago, Brigg said:

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. 

Curious what makes you think this knife will be of more quality. 

Also have a look at this site there is only one Round Knife at the moment it is unmarked and 5'' contact Bruce ask him about it, don't think it would be on his site if he did not rate it.  Many here will endorse his site and the quality of the tools for sale it will be ready to go out of the box and it might be an unmarked gem, he often has some good old ones for sale. My first single Head Knife was unmarked and is a little gem still have it some 25 plus years cost £13

https://brucejohnsonleather.com

JCUK

 

[Brigg]

2 hours ago, jcuk said:

Curious what makes you think this knife will be of more quality. 

 

Also have a look at this site there is only one Round Knife at the moment it is unmarked and 5'' contact Bruce ask him about it, don't think it would be on his site if he did not rate it.  Many here will endorse his site and the quality of the tools for sale it will be ready to go out of the box and it might be an unmarked gem, he often has some good old ones for sale. My first single Head Knife was unmarked and is a little gem still have it some 25 plus years cost £13

https://brucejohnsonleather.com

JCUK

 

I don't think that knife will be any better quality but it is cheap-ish and a size that works. I spoke to Bruce last night he is going to see if he has anything that will fit my criteria.

7 hours ago, thunter9 said:

first are you from the states?

Yes I am in the US.

[chuck123wapati]

has anyone mentioned that you don't really need a head knife for leather. It is a great tool but can easily be replaced with any quality cutting edge. For that matter many on the forum use the replaceable blade box cutter style knives.

[jcuk]

In all the time i have been in leather work i have not seen any other knife as versatile as a Round Knife/Head Knife, i would not be without mine. In fact i cant think of a more versatile tool that i have. 

Edited January 25, 2021 by jcuk

[Arturomex]

53 minutes ago, jcuk said:

In all the time i have been in leather work i have not seen any other knife as versatile as a Round Knife/Head Knife, i would not be without mine. In fact i cant think of a more versatile tool that i have. 

Agreed. But I find there's a difference between a round knife and a head knife. Having said that, I find myself using my Japanese leather knives more and more. Not terribly expensive and if you're willing to spend some time putting an edge on them they're very sharp.

Regards,

Arturo

[jcuk]

8 minutes ago, Arturomex said:

Agreed. But I find there's a difference between a round knife and a head knife. Having said that, I find myself using my Japanese leather knives more and more. Not terribly expensive and if you're willing to spend some time putting an edge on them they're very sharp.

Regards,

Arturo

Yes i too know there is a difference between the a Round Knife and a Head knife just mention both because some may have one or the other, i have no doubt about those Japanese knives as being ok to use got to be better than a Stanley type knife (box cutter) especially those with snap off blades ouch waiting to happen to me, for the type of work i don't think any knife can replace a Round Knife.

JCUK