Swivel Knife Wins - Tips That Actually Work

[@richardkatzman1215]

Joe, I tried what you said about how to fix problems with your swivel knife. All the problems you laid out in this video was happening to me. I thought it must be me. Then it must be the leather. Finally it must be the swivel knife blade. Today, I decided to try fixing my swivel knife by sharpening it with Emory Cloth, then load up my strop with green sharpening compound and then work my swivel knife on both sides 0:28 of the strop. The swivel knife cut through the leather like a hot knife through butter. What a difference it made. Yes the swivel knife has to be stropped ever so often to continue the easy cutting. I think the swivel knife blade picks up protein which causes the knife to hang up and skip. As soon as I stropped the swivel knife blade, it was easy going again. I’m so glad I happened on your video. Great information and great video. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I really appreciate it. Best regards, Richard in upstate New York.

[@Robpearceknives]

I really enjoyed watching your design process. Thank you for sharing!!

[@lymanw.-nf8bw]

Thanks I was wondering what to do with that knife

[@stevem6788]

Great video. Concise & easy to understand. Any suggestions on how to re-establish the correct angle on the swivel knife blade?

[@JohnTBlock]

You should strop your swivel knife every time you pick it up! Aut-o-ma-tic!

[@maddawgnoll]

I think I strop more than I use lol. Before and after use regardless of how many cuts I made with it. And sometimes just because I see it there and the strop is in my hand.

[@larrycumba2741]

I have a stack of 4” square blanks I use to practice different tooling, staining and paint techniques. Both import and HO all in the same stack. The import is a struggle and the HO is a pleasure. Same knife tells me it’s the leather not the knife.

[@maddawgnoll]

I've been working with Hernan oak only for the past 3 years. I ordered an import because the price was right and I needed something right away. It's such a huge difference. HO makes life so much easier

[@pauleyedwin6056]

Joe beginner leather worker. Hopefully will take beginner class this month. My main question is what swivel knife blades to purchase. I’ve heard a wide blade is better for long straight cuts, such as belts. Is a smaller blade better for floral tooling? Can you give me advice on what size of blades to start with and which to get thick or thin or do you just purchase a few different one’s and go from there. Thanks any help appreciated. Enjoyed your video.

[@McDistrust]

Don't know how I got here. Don't know why I can't stop watching.

[@lazarflorin4553]

Hi, very nice job! I just ordered my tools for leather craving! How can i oreder your kit? I live in UK !

[@timtrax918artisan8]

should one strope the blade in the direction as you shown with the fine sand paper ?

[@gm_fatboy]

Beneficial video for me. I bought a starter kit with a swivel knife from Amazon and had no idea how to play with a swivel knife. I tried to make a couple lines with a swivel knife but it doesn't work well, maybe it's a knife blade or just me. Anyway, I'll try everything you show here to take the first step. I have green and white compounds, can I use them for sharpening the knife? Thank you for the tips.

[@Gelathius]

Either one will be fine. Also understand that buying those kits from Amazon they generally are very low quality. I know they are more expensive but go get a kit from like tandy or weaver because they will have decent starter tools that will make you less frustrated, especially with stamps as the amazon ones tend to be really bad fidelity and will not look as good.

[@itaboracapoeira8862]

Do you recommend the swivel knife over the bevel?

[@joemeling3216]

You will use the swivel knife and then bevel those lines that you cut.

[@islandvoyager7061]

Hello Joe! Dan from "THREE HORSE LEATHER Co." here. I have a new Duane Watts swivel knife. The kind without a yoke that looks like a pencil. Have you used one of these? Any tips because I am having a hard time with it. Thanks, Dan.

[@benjammin1212]

I have one of Duane's yokeless knives , i prefer it to a conventional swivel knife for certain unbroken cuts but trying to do cuts where the blade is constantly lifting off the leather is challenging, especially for a noob, the blade swivels so much that trying to place it in the direction you want to cut is tricky unless you actually hold the blade, i also found it a little harder to keep a edge on the blade compared to my other knives. I would like to master it but i feel more confident using a conventional swivel knife.

[@jarredlong9736]

Do you ever have to re-apply water on a big job?

[@Doc-Holliday1851]

What is the benefit of a swivel knife over an xacto?

[@maddawgnoll]

You don't carve with an exacto knife, that's for cutting. Swivel knife isn't meant to cut through the leather, only into it.

[@1a1u0g9t4s2u]

I agree with @maddawgnoll. After over 50+ years of RC model plane building using hobby knives, they are fantastic for straight line cuts. But when I needed to make curved cuts for wing airfoils the swivel knife is the way to go. BTW, take Joe's recommendation about practicing both left and right curved cuts to heart. Your workmanship will thank you.

[@josephatyunga202]

@@Doc-Holliday1851 Hey! My boss, how can I get this kit.

[@samwise413]

I have a hard time following my pattern line