Grafting knife recommendations

figologist

figologist

Active member
After nearly amputating my thumb yesterday with a folding Felco grafting knife, does anyone have any recommendations for a knife they love? Preferably a small fixed blade rather than a folding one?
 
tina 685 stationary grafting knife ,the samuri sword of grafting ! ever thing else is just pretending ,still dangerous but folders are way worse .not cheap and carbon steel so will rust if you leave out in rain but fig sap will form protective coating ,many years of grafting still very sharp ,stroup on my leather belt once in a blue moon ,never hit with stone so far .
 
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Mine is a folding one, I got it mainly because I need to reach my free shipping goal, lol

Im at work though so don't have a pic.
I was in the market for a fixed blade though...but didn't get one yet
 
I tried a few and I really prefer the Olfa Utility Knife:


With these blades:

Not sure that the blade matters, just what I happened to get at the time. I also got a 9mm version for smaller scions.

I was really paranoid about cutting myself when I started and I found these gave me the best control. The blades on these do not snap off while using, it’s always sharp, locks into place at the length I like, and retracts for carrying in my pocket.

I did get 2 different Tina fixed blade grafting knives, but they both arrived very dull, so I never got into using them.

I really think it’s a case of what feels well in your hand and gives you the most control. So it can be an individual thing. Hey, if you’re a surgeon, maybe you’d prefer a scalpel? Some do like a blade type situation like that for grafting. 😀

I also got this tool for starting out and it works well for cleft grafts on a generically sized scion.
 
@figologist Now you have me thinking. I would have assumed your felco being modern would be locking. The one I have is an old family heirloom and doesn't lock either... now you have me considering whether I should put it on the shelf and get a new one. I don't possess the skills to stitch myself up! 😬
 
Inflorescence said:
I tried a few and I really prefer the Olfa Utility Knife:


With these blades:

Not sure that the blade matters, just what I happened to get at the time. I also got a 9mm version for smaller scions.

I was really paranoid about cutting myself when I started and I found these gave me the best control. The blades on these do not snap off while using, it’s always sharp, locks into place at the length I like, and retracts for carrying in my pocket.

I did get 2 different Tina fixed blade grafting knives, but they both arrived very dull, so I never got into using them.

I really think it’s a case of what feels well in your hand and gives you the most control. So it can be an individual thing. Hey, if you’re a surgeon, maybe you’d prefer a scalpel? Some do like a blade type situation like that for grafting. 😀

I also got this tool for starting out and it works well for cleft grafts on a generically sized scion.
Click to expand...

No sharpening to worry about. The blades never snap on you?
 
TorontoJoe said:
@figologist Now you have me thinking. I would have assumed your felco being modern would be locking. The one I have is an old family heirloom and doesn't lock either... now you have me considering whether I should put it on the shelf and get a new one. I don't possess the skills to stitch myself up! 😬
Click to expand...
Fly to portland and i'll sew you right up =)
 
This is a relatively cheap knife...I don't remember the cost though.

Haven't used it either, I actually have a knife that you can change the blade on.
Like a scalpel.
But its for skinning deer. lol

thumbnail.jpg
 
Inflorescence said:
I tried a few and I really prefer the Olfa Utility Knife:


With these blades:

Not sure that the blade matters, just what I happened to get at the time. I also got a 9mm version for smaller scions.

I was really paranoid about cutting myself when I started and I found these gave me the best control. The blades on these do not snap off while using, it’s always sharp, locks into place at the length I like, and retracts for carrying in my pocket.

I did get 2 different Tina fixed blade grafting knives, but they both arrived very dull, so I never got into using them.

I really think it’s a case of what feels well in your hand and gives you the most control. So it can be an individual thing. Hey, if you’re a surgeon, maybe you’d prefer a scalpel? Some do like a blade type situation like that for grafting. 😀

I also got this tool for starting out and it works well for cleft grafts on a generically sized scion.
Click to expand...
I found the utility knife like yours wonderful for thinner scions, especially for the center V cut in the cleft graft, but as the grafts get larger, I switch to the grafting knife which are less flimsy. Maybe a function of preferred graft type (generally cleft for me) and wood stiffness.
 
GIV said:
I found the utility knife like yours wonderful for thinner scions, especially for the center V cut in the cleft graft, but as the grafts get larger, I switch to the grafting knife which are less flimsy. Maybe a function of preferred graft type (generally cleft for me) and wood stiffness.
Click to expand...
You mean for scion thickness? I’ve used these for whip and tongue, Z-grafts, and banana grafts and they worked well, but I generally do not graft anything larger than about 1-inch diameter. May depend on technique as well.
 
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