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

[OLESKIVER]

By the way? The French knife is a different design, it is a little longer on one side. just thought you might want to know.

[toxo]

On 1/24/2021 at 10:18 PM, fredk said:

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

Take a chill pill Fred. You know we luvs ya! Go lay down in a darkened room for half an hour.  This lockdown and uncertainty has us all jumpy.

[toxo]

On 1/26/2021 at 2:05 PM, toxo said:

I think I might like the action of the quarter moon in the first pic so I've just ordered one of these,  firstly, I know the edge is probably crap but it will let me know how well I get on with the action before buying a proper one and secondly I had a thought that the gubbins that comes with it might work as an upside down version of the two nails lace maker.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Professional-Welding-Flooring-Crescent-Trimming/dp/B08LBFX1YQ/ref=asc_df_B08LBFX1YQ/?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=&hvpos=&hvnetw=o&hvrand=&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583520393551512&psc=1

I spent a while putting an edge on this knife and I'm not finished yet but this knife is educating me each time i use it. The reason I wanted to try this shape is becauswe I don't like the high hand hold of almost all of the other in this thread. I don't feel comfortable with a high wrist position plus I find it difficult to see the line that way. I know there are so many people liking head/round knives so I know it must be me but I've learned two things. Firstly I'ved never used a push knife and with the low wrist hold I'm liking it a lot. Secondly, it cuts like a bitch in that low position using the portion of the blade that's just at the center of the curve and along the long edge. And I won't be doing it but I guess you could even put an edge on the inside curve and use as a pulling knife like a cobblers sole knife. Quite a versatile piece of kit.

[Brigg]

On 2/5/2021 at 12:07 PM, toxo said:

I spent a while putting an edge on this knife and I'm not finished yet but this knife is educating me each time i use it. The reason I wanted to try this shape is becauswe I don't like the high hand hold of almost all of the other in this thread. I don't feel comfortable with a high wrist position plus I find it difficult to see the line that way. I know there are so many people liking head/round knives so I know it must be me but I've learned two things. Firstly I'ved never used a push knife and with the low wrist hold I'm liking it a lot. Secondly, it cuts like a bitch in that low position using the portion of the blade that's just at the center of the curve and along the long edge. And I won't be doing it but I guess you could even put an edge on the inside curve and use as a pulling knife like a cobblers sole knife. Quite a versatile piece of kit.

I bought the "French" knife I first posted in this thread as well as a head knife from Bruce Johnson and one from Terry Moore. Off the bat the head knives feel more comfortable in my hand but of course they came super sharp.

I am going to work on sharpening the outer part of the French knife today. I am definitely fascinated by this knife...I have no idea how to go about sharpening the inner part of the knife...I also am not sure how to make a good sheath for it.

[billybopp]

3 minutes ago, Brigg said:

I bought the "French" knife I first posted in this thread as well as a head knife from Bruce Johnson and one from Terry Moore. Off the bat the head knives feel more comfortable in my hand but of course they came super sharp.

I am going to work on sharpening the outer part of the French knife today. I am definitely fascinated by this knife...I have no idea how to go about sharpening the inner part of the knife...I also am not sure how to make a good sheath for it.

A round "slip stone" works nicely for sharpening inside curves.  

- Bill

[Brigg]

3 minutes ago, billybopp said:

A round "slip stone" works nicely for sharpening inside curves.  

- Bill

Thanks Bill. I did not know that there are rounded sharpening stones.

[toxo]

I'm not sure you're supposed to sharpen the inside curve . There's no edge of any kind on mine but of course there's nothing stopping you. I imagine it's a bonus for people that like to pull.

[billybopp]

41 minutes ago, toxo said:

I'm not sure you're supposed to sharpen the inside curve . There's no edge of any kind on mine but of course there's nothing stopping you. I imagine it's a bonus for people that like to pull.

Most of the old ones that I've seen are sharpened on the inside, but I've seen newer ones that are not.  You do need to be careful when sharpening, as that makes the point very slender and a bit fragile.  But when it is sharpened, it can be used like a curved clicker knife for cutting tight curves..

- Bill

[Brigg]

Mine has a beveled edge on the inside and it is factory "sharp". RM Leather sells a Blanchard one and their description says

Quote

One side of the knife is a half round knife used to skive down your leather and the inner half has a blade with clicker point to cut our your leather patterns.

 

[toxo]

1 hour ago, Brigg said:

Mine has a beveled edge on the inside and it is factory "sharp". RM Leather sells a Blanchard one and their description says

 

Good to know. I'm liking mine so far but haven't used it in anger. If it doesn't hold an edge I'll be looking for an upgrade.