How to use a Swivel Knife, the essential tool for leather carving.

A quick video about the swivel knife. A tool unique to leather carving that takes a lot of practice to learn to use well. I talk a little bit about different blades that are made for this tool and why some people prefer one over the other. Polishing the blade to make it cut properly. I also show the basic cuts to practice to gain skill with this unusual tool.
I am always working on building something and try to average a KZbin video once a week. Most often leather work, but I have also posted videos on black smithing, knife making, casting, and even how I make soap. Be sure to Subscribe if you are interested in any of these topics, or just making things in general.
Amazon affiliate links for some of the materials used in this video
Ergo swivel knife I prefer: amzn.to/397nPAk
Angled filigree blade (thinner than a normal angled blade so it cuts deeper): amzn.to/2PpJVXW
1/4 inch hollow ground blade: amzn.to/3cfl7KX
1/4 inch angled blade:amzn.to/39cOb42
Useful leather work tools and supplies (Amazon affiliate links)
Perma-lok needle for braiding and lacing: amzn.to/3q2Lfgi
I also use a lacing fid: amzn.to/39fK9XU
The tool I use to cut lace: amzn.to/35sWQxc
Hand stitching needles I use: amzn.to/39ivStf
A nice set of pricking irons for punching stitching holes: amzn.to/35snEhj
Edge beveler: amzn.to/3bliXtr
Gum tragacanth to burnish edges: amzn.to/39a62ri
Round knife I used before I made my own: amzn.to/39iw7o9
Wing divider: amzn.to/3nt77jd
Rawhide mallet: amzn.to/2MSCkjr
Strap cutter: amzn.to/3q6aluU
Barge contact cement: amzn.to/35Hylgb
A more respiratory friendly glue: amzn.to/3bpsJuv
Basting tape: amzn.to/39kVFRw
Books and patterns I use (Amazon Affiliate links)
How to make holsters by Al Stohlman amzn.to/3putSFr
Holster and gunbelt patterns amzn.to/3ovqj0m
Pancake holster pattern by Slickbald amzn.to/3ouWA7B
Leather braiding by Bruce Grant amzn.to/3oxGU4l

[@savageprepper9504]

Looking forward to checking out some of your holster videos. Thanks.

[@bransonsgeneralstore]

Thanks for watching!

[@shawnmulberry774]

nice. Thanks.

[@bransonsgeneralstore]

Thanks for watching!

[@hughanderson7285]

Can you imitate crocodile skin with a swivel knife?

[@bransonsgeneralstore]

I haven't tried that. I think I would also need modeling tools as well as the swivel knife to try and make it look realistic. The belly scales wouldn't be too hard to imitate, but the flank and back scales would be challenging. Would be a lot easier to inlay a piece of the leather that is sold embossed with a crocodile or alligator pattern.

[@nateand3]

That's very interesting to me. I love to see leather work with a little scene or an animal or something, but I am so far from artistic that it ain't funny

[@bransonsgeneralstore]

There are many different levels to leather working. I know people who do not do any sort of decorative tooling. Others who only use stamps like basketweave tools, and never use a swivel knife. It is a craft where you can often just stick with what you are comfortable with. There is a simpler use for the swivel knife when making stamped borders. I have another video that might be posted by Sunday that will use cut lines and a stamp for one of my favorite border designs.

[@nateand3]

Yeah I completely get what you're saying. And I've made 3 sheaths already. The 2nd two have basket weave stamping with a border and came out decent. I just really wish my mind could grasp artistry because that just takes it to another level, in my eyes. I'll definitely watch the video though and who knows, maybe someday drawing or carving a scene will click for me.

[@bransonsgeneralstore]

@@nateand3 I have carved up a lot of pieces of scrap leather practicing. Some things are easier to carve than others. Mess up an oak leaf and it still looks like an oak leaf. Mess up a deer and it looks like some sort of demonic zombie goat.

[@nateand3]

Lol that's hilarious. I wanna give it a real go and see what happens. I'm sure there's something cool out there i can learn to do. Something simple, but that will be a nice look on a sheath.

[@mjbailey404]

It's just taking small steps, like cutting border edges and such, maybe adding some decorative nicks. Good practice for my creative juices is to try to make every tooling pattern with more than just one or two stamps, making it unique