A nice and likely useful handtool-a precision knife- from another craft genre

[Bob Hammond]

Hi, a cousin gave me a set of leatherworking tools and supplies after he lost interest the craft. I'm always interested in any tools of handwork.

Here's one that you might like- it's a swivel knife, and it might be useful for finework. The finger-saddle is comfortable and the shaft length is adjustable to fit any finger of your hand, so as to fit the grip of the tool in your hand in different ways. The blade is interesting too, and it fits in a 3/16"socket if you would like to grind your own specialty cutting shapes.

[Bob Hammond]

I'm learning different ways to use this thing.

Here's a view of grasping the swivel knife in a full-handed grip. I would like to try to refine some prototype chessmen cut from walnut & cherry. The design of the knife allows subtle changes in the blade's cutting angle, and allows a firm grip and controlled pressure.

[Bob Hammond]

if I could describe this tool in a sentence or two, I'd say that it's like having a steel-edged thumbnail or fingernail, that allows the use of the hand, wrist, arm, and shoulder for trimming and carving. It seems to be an intuitive extension of my brain that I need to learn about how to manipulate it. And it fits in my pocket for whenever I might need to use it, like a L-N 102 blockplane.

[Chuck Tweedy]

Bob, I also have one of these tools - just saw it while cleaning up.
Have you found any real use for it?

[Bob Hammond]

Chuck,

I've been turning a chess set on the lathe, and after that I've tried to put some doodling detail work on the proto-men. I think it has potential for fine hand engraving or trimming because the thumb and fingers control the presentation of the blade, but the hand and arm do the heavy work. I think that it would be good to grind several blade shapes that are angled at about 20-30d, curved, and with single and double bevels -- sort of like lathe chisels. I've thought about making one of these from SS tube and a ball-bearing or two - one that could accommodate blades made from 3/8" HSS or O1 drill rod. I bought a 36" length of 01 for $4.50, and that could make for many blade styles. But, I'll have to ask the daughter glass-artist, to harden and temper them in her kiln after the basic shaping.

[Chuck Tweedy]

Mine's now sitting in a place where I see it all the time.
That way, maybe I'll think of a use for it.
Most likely a scraper of some sort

[Bob Hammond]

I'll think that this might be very useful for a chip-carver.