I use the Barnsley Saddler’s knife and I also had a custom saddlers knife made for me by a gentleman in the U.K. Shipping to the U.S. was a little steep,but it was money well spent. It’s hard to find a saddler’s knife in the U.S. I find a saddler’s knife to be versatile for the work I do. Those other knives you show in the video have peeked my interest. Thank you for sharing them and showing them in action.
Thank you Nigel. I've commented on some other videos asking for what would be the second best knives after Terry's ones (since he no longer makes them) but I didn't expect a whole video about knives. This is fantastic.
Nice knives. A very good explanation about keeping the knives sharp. It’s better to maintain the sharpness then letting the knife get dull and resharpen it. The approach of the same handle is good. But I must say that I change my grip. For straight cuts I prefer the Japanese way to hold a knife. But that said I’m not a leather worker but I make knives as a hobby. With that I got into leather work but on a small scale. I made all my leather knives myself but the very first one which is a full head knife that I rarely use anymore. I won’t say much about D2, it’s an OK steel but I hate it.
Thank you for this. America, Australia, and GB sometimes use different terms for the same product and sometimes the same word for different products so "mineral oil" I would think an oil like sewing machine oil but here it comes with a yellow tinge not clear. Could it be paraffin, methylated spirits, or something else?
I believe Mineral is widely available in the US labelled as 'mineral oil'. The US is by far the largest producer of it. To assist with finding it, it is commonly used as an oil for wooden chopping board as it is food safe. Not that this would be a requirement for strops. Perhaps a google search of chopping board oil may expose another term for it. It is also good for tools to prevent rust. It is not methylated spirits though.
You can make some honing compound which was shown to me many years ago. I use Dialux Vert ( green ) and Dialux Rouge ( red ) jewellers compound. I use a cheese grater to grate the compound. Grate a pile, I then warm up some Shell Ondina 68 ( medicinal white oil ) then trickle the grated compound into the oil. Stir until you get a smooth consistancy and apply with a brush to your strop. You dont need much and I reapply every few months or when you can see that the strop looks a bit dry. Put the liqiud compound into a screw top bottle or similar. If it sits on a shelf for long periods the compound will settle some what, so just stir it up until the compound is suspended in the oil again. A little bit lasts for ages. Cheers. Mike.
Finally received my trim knife, it got lost in the mail. I’ve used already and I am impressed, cuts leather like butter. 😊
Thanks, this is a really great lesson! Especially the sharpening part. Greetings from Finland!
Having had the pleasure of using the trim knife in the workshop, have ordered all 3 as its a no brainer, best knife I have used.
I use the Barnsley Saddler’s knife and I also had a custom saddlers knife made for me by a gentleman in the U.K. Shipping to the U.S. was a little steep,but it was money well spent. It’s hard to find a saddler’s knife in the U.S. I find a saddler’s knife to be versatile for the work I do. Those other knives you show in the video have peeked my interest. Thank you for sharing them and showing them in action.
Just ordered the Trim Knife, from my wife for Christmas 🎅🏼 🎄
Thank you Nigel. I've commented on some other videos asking for what would be the second best knives after Terry's ones (since he no longer makes them) but I didn't expect a whole video about knives. This is fantastic.
I would like to take full credit for helping, but it was more down to timing.
Nice knives.
A very good explanation about keeping the knives sharp. It’s better to maintain the sharpness then letting the knife get dull and resharpen it.
The approach of the same handle is good. But I must say that I change my grip. For straight cuts I prefer the Japanese way to hold a knife.
But that said I’m not a leather worker but I make knives as a hobby. With that I got into leather work but on a small scale.
I made all my leather knives myself but the very first one which is a full head knife that I rarely use anymore.
I won’t say much about D2, it’s an OK steel but I hate it.
Thank you for this. America, Australia, and GB sometimes use different terms for the same product and sometimes the same word for different products so "mineral oil" I would think an oil like sewing machine oil but here it comes with a yellow tinge not clear. Could it be paraffin, methylated spirits, or something else?
I believe Mineral is widely available in the US labelled as 'mineral oil'. The US is by far the largest producer of it.
To assist with finding it, it is commonly used as an oil for wooden chopping board as it is food safe. Not that this would be a requirement for strops.
Perhaps a google search of chopping board oil may expose another term for it.
It is also good for tools to prevent rust.
It is not methylated spirits though.
You can make some honing compound which was shown to me many years ago.
I use Dialux Vert ( green ) and Dialux Rouge ( red ) jewellers
compound.
I use a cheese grater to grate the compound. Grate a pile, I then warm up some Shell Ondina 68 ( medicinal white oil ) then trickle the grated compound into the oil.
Stir until you get a smooth consistancy and apply with a brush to your strop. You dont need much and I reapply every few months or when you can see that the strop looks a bit dry.
Put the liqiud compound into a screw top bottle or similar.
If it sits on a shelf for long periods the compound will settle some what, so just stir it up until the compound is suspended in the oil again. A little bit lasts for ages.
Cheers.
Mike.
Thank you for the tip, I'm sure that will be helpful to many.
i use a circular saw to cut my leather
TEW100 Barlow.... best working knife you can buy.
Could not agree more.
Fabulous