Skive Knife Blades

[kitekook]

Can anyone tell me where I can get hold inexpensive blades for the skive knife that Talas sells? Since I go through 3 to 4 blades per leather binding I'd like to buy in bulk.

(http://apps.webcreate.com/ecom/catalog/ ... ctID=17788)

I believe they used to be used by the Personna Razor and are called 'mini single edge blades".

Dan

[bobstelmack]

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/prod ... er=3002-10

[aaronsalik]

Not really a direct suggestion, but why not purchase a proper paring knife that you resharpen?

We sell a decent amount of those Skife knives, but mostly to students where they are a good fit for their level of skill. A proper bookbinding knife will require some practicing and getting used to, but the results you can achieve are far superior. You will also have to learn the art of sharpening, which is indeed an art into itself, but this would save you time and money.

[kitekook]

Thanks to both Bob and Aaron.

The bulk pack of blades at Bob's link should last me a long time to come as I'll use that skiver even after I've saved up enough and buy a Scharfix and knives, which has been my intention. It's just taking me a while to build up my shop with everything I want.

Aaron, are the Peachy knives worth so much more than the other knives that Talas offers? Why?
Dan

[benjclark]

Are the Peachy knives worth so much more than the other knives that Talas offers? Why?
Dan

Great question! I've wondered this myself.

[aaronsalik]

The use of different knives is certainly very personal, so I do try to avoid making such general answers.

That being said, the French, English, and Swiss paring knives are the industry standard if you will and the type of knife that one would typically learn on. They are good quality and excellent results can be achieved.

The Peachey knives are in my mind of much higher quality, and we carry them because we do feel they are worth the money. Simply holding them in your hand one can feel the difference in weight, sturdiness, and design. The handles are contoured to fit snugly into the ball of ones hand, acting almost like a natural extension of ones hand. The quality of steel they are constructed with is without question of higher grade, having the ability to hold a sharper edge for a longer period of time.

On a side note, I cannot emphasize enough the need for proper sharpening skills with any knife one purchases. Jeff Peachey and others in NY infrequently offer one or two days classes on sharpening and it is essential. It is easy to purchase the tools, but is only with proper maintenance that good results will be achieved over time.

[MichaelChrisman]

The finest paring knives I have ever encountered are the ones sold by TREVOR LLOYD at:: http://trevorlloyd.co.uk/paring_knives.html

These knives are exceptionally well made from high quality "hunting knife steel" (I believe it's D-2 grade), only $55.00, plus post, and they hold an edge unbelievably well. I've had mine for over ten years. This is not to negate others knives, but Trevor's are simply the best! And they have beautiful hardwood handles as well. A student of mine from Toronto struggled much with leather paring until they bought a Trevor Lloyd knife. They come in both right and left-handed.

As for sharpening.... The very best approach I have ever found is when the blade becomes dull enough, strop the edge of the knife on very fine sandpaper, typically 320 grit. Taking great care as to the angle you're holding the blade. Then, next, laying the base of the knife dead-flat on the sandpaper, pull toward you on the sandpaper to remove the burr that has been created on the top edge. Be careful NOT to "round-off" the bottom of the edge! Now strop the knife ten or twelve times (BOTH sides of the knife) on a nice piece of bridle leather and it'll be sharp enough to de-hair with ease. Very many years ago this method was called "scary sharp". But it seems to be little known amongst newer binders on the scene today. Very dull knives will require a coarser grit paper at first, then progressing to the finer, and finally to the leather strop. I use the same strop since 1988 (my second one since I was seventeen years old), and have only "dressed" it twice. Both times with simple pumice powder. There is no need to spend money for "cremes" and such like.

Hope this helps!

Michael
http://www.bookbindersworkshop.com

[bookbum]

Thank you, Philip, but I'm not normally in the practice of throwing my knives at my books, although sometime I do feel like doing that when things go wrong.

Actually, I sort of took Arron's advice. I bought a very large set of gouges and other hand tools on ebay (72 in all). Along with that set came 6 different skiving knives (including 2 Peachy). I already had stones from 800 to 6000 grit so I just took the time to learn how to sharpen the knives. Now, it's easy to keep them sharp and there's no leather that stands in my way.

Thanks Arron. I haven't used the "personna" type blades in about 8 month.

[hardsteel]

are the Peachy knives worth so much more than the other knives that Talas offers? Why?

good question...for me i believe that peachy knives is worth than other knives.