Grafting knife recommendations

[Russ1962]

That looks like it fits very nicely in the hand

Yes, It is a totally different feel than my folding-blade grafting knives.
It feels like a good paring knife with a thinner handle. Nice and secure in the hand.
I also like the carbon steel blade.

 

[TorontoJoe]

Yes, It is a totally different feel than my folding-blade grafting knives.
It feels like a good paring knife with a thinner handle. Nice and secure in the hand.
I also like the carbon steel blade.

I really like carbon steel myself. I know it takes more maintenance but for me so much easier to keep a good edge on

 

[Russ1962]

I really like carbon steel myself. I know it takes more maintenance but for me so much easier to keep a good edge on

Exactly!
I just sharpened it. So much easier and better than stainless steel, in my opinion.

 

[Russ1962]

Just curious,
Do you prefer a single-edge or double-edged blade?
Why?

 

[TorontoJoe]

Just curious,
Do you prefer a single-edge or double-edged blade?
Why?

I don’t know that I’ve ever used a single bevel knife… maybe. I think it would matter what side was beveled… Is the single bevel not more common in Japanese steel?

 

[GIV]

Single bevel, provides a flatter cut, by using the flat side against the scion

 

[TorontoJoe]

View attachment 4663Single bevel, provides a flatter cut, by using the flat side against the scion

Is this limiting in that you need to work from one direction primarily? Are they typically beveled on one side or the other by default?

 

[GIV]

You can get bevels for either left or right side. I can use either hand but typically use my left for activities involving precision. For the scion with either whip and tongue or cleft graft, I cut away from my body. Which bevel side depends on your hand and perference for cutting toward or away from your body.

 

[PapaFig]

I did try a few from Amazon (cheap ones) but didn't care for them. I prefer the one I made from a 6" planer blade, HSS. I sharpened it down nice and thin (and wicked sharp). You can see it's single bevel (as described above) with a little hollow grind on the beveled side to reduce the resistance.

Only thing is it will rust, but that doesn't bother me. It's starting to get a little worn down like my grandma's old paring knives; I may have to make another one soon, maybe a little shorter to get into the tight places better.

 

[TorontoJoe]

I did try a few from Amazon (cheap ones) but didn't care for them. I prefer the one I made from a 6" planer blade, HSS. I sharpened it down nice and thin (and wicked sharp). You can see it's single bevel (as described above) with a little hollow grind on the beveled side to reduce the resistance.

Only thing is it will rust, but that doesn't bother me. It's starting to get a little worn down like my grandma's old paring knives; I may have to make another one soon, maybe a little shorter to get into the tight places better.

Interesting looking tags in the pictures. What are they made of? Nice and clean looking

 

[Figgerlickinggood]

Interesting looking tags in the pictures. What are they made of? Nice and clean looking

Those yellow ones look like stencils that you put over the aluminum ones.

 

[Figgerlickinggood]

This is the grafting knife I have. Bought it in 2020 when I first got into growing figs. You know how it is with newbies, we by every single thing we see on videos because they make you feel like you “really need it”.

 

[PapaFig]

Interesting looking tags in the pictures. What are they made of? Nice and clean looking

Made of Aluminum flashing - you can get it by the roll at the hardware store. A bit more heavy duty compared to the soda cans we often use. Jack and I made a video of etching them somewhere. The templates/stencils/shadow mask (whatever you wanna call them) were cut on a laser engraver. I tried direct engraving them with Kapton tape over the AL also, but it's slower (serial process) compared etching (batch).

 

[TorontoJoe]

Made of Aluminum flashing - you can get it by the roll at the hardware store. A bit more heavy duty compared to the soda cans we often use. Jack and I made a video of etching them somewhere. The templates/stencils/shadow mask (whatever you wanna call them) were cut on a laser engraver. I tried direct engraving them with Kapton tape over the AL also, but it's slower (serial process) compared etching (batch).

I'd like to see that video.... You have a laser engraver? That's handy!

 

[DCallahan]

This thread made me spend $60 , Lol, quality isn't cheap, and I was in the market anyway.

I had to mail back the Tina 685 I ordered from AM Leonard. Dull as a butter knife!! almost like they forgot to do a final sharpening.

 

[Fig Gazer]

I had to mail back the Tina 685 I ordered from AM Leonard. Dull as a butter knife!! almost like they forgot to do a final sharpening.

THAT SUCKS ! WONDER WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT KNIFE???? WHO WOULD NOT SHARPEN A KNIFE BEFORE SALE ??

 

[Russ1962]

I had to mail back the Tina 685 I ordered from AM Leonard. Dull as a butter knife!! almost like they forgot to do a final sharpening.

If it was a single bevel, then the blade would be flat on one side.
Even so, you would think that they would put a nice edge on the beveled side.

 

[DCallahan]

If it was a single bevel, then the blade would be flat on one side.
Even so, you would think that they would put a nice edge on the beveled side.

Yes 685 are single beveled, I could run my finger up and down the edge without a cut. It was polished and looked good but no sharpness to the edge.

 

[PapaFig]

I use a glass plate from one of those halogen work lights (about 4"x6" and 3/8" thick) and put a piece of sticky-backed sandpaper on it (220 grit or there abouts). It works great for sharpening knives.