I've tested all kinds of knives. I don't think the blade matters as much for safety, technique is more important. For straight scion cut, I dont know how much of a factor single bevel knifes matter. Although I need to go back and test the other knives as I've been mostly using my left handed single bevel blade. I cut away from me rather than towards, I'm a righty.
Break off utility knife- This works ok in a pinch, they can be a bit flimsy, more likely to have a curve in the cut.
Utility knife- More stiff than break off utility knife, easy to swap blades. Cutting edge isn't that long sometimes.
Cheap double beveled grafting knife from alibaba. Blade is too thick, I tried to grind it down to make it thinner but I gave up. I just leave it on my desk to play with.
Right handled Felco grafting knife.
https://www.amazon.com/FELCO-3-90-20-Horticultural-Pocket/dp/B000AYIYKO/ref=sr_1_4?crid=32GAGTBZMFOQ7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RYRLN9SRSt4_yCQAXKi002BeZ-6TJitFC-B_ff27ccNOcQT7DsdDuNFhoNDhVjlbPKdAPwMFgo8Sl5GQZ6Nlk6gWa1g_0JLa35-jlyJT1_rDGffntnyoetqRyF5zGi3iv8B4zzHQns00TxNXe_lSVOuf8oE8vlzaDg-FdEf_8OAByK6b-D_-EbAWTcf3xbi1HQKoDBiealMdjDTqb1YEu-ZIBTawoQmjqrr4cjx0KxPfVQGAD98eiep6144_-OfV7sWhTcp_rBjZQ8tEozVFIrUMfhH1-yH41YU5B4_EO14.pIwKLRdLBFSwHO9nUf6YtDYpISdT49qIXdiutNxXVTc&dib_tag=se&keywords=grafting+knife&qid=1744308722&s=hi&sprefix=grafting+knif,tools,277&sr=1-4&th=1
First real grafting knife I bought. I just don't like the cut towards you method. I didn't have good success with it using right hand and cutting way from me since the bevel is on the wrong side. The knife handle is thin so it's harder to get a good grip. Feel a bit flimsy compared to my Due Buoi knife. I still keep this knife in my grafting belt, I do need to use it sometimes when bud grafting because the bevel on the left handed knife can be wrong depending on how you cut for bud grafts.
Left Handed single bevel grafting knife.
https://www.amazon.com/DUE-BUOI-Grafting-Knife-Lifter/dp/B0BCX1ZSDF?ref_=ast_sto_dp
This wasn't available on amazon at the time I bought it. They have cheaper options on amazon now with different materials. I needed to buy the more expensive one on their site for free shipping. I like the thickness of the handle, I can firmly grip it, although the material is a bit slippery. The blade seems to be sharp, I haven't needed to sharpen it over 1 year. Although the blade has a convex grind so I don't know how it will be when I sharpen it myself. The blade is really hard to pull out, this can prevent accidental closing. I do not like that the bark lifter is fixed, when in my grafting belt, it protrudes a lot, sometimes it can be knocked out. Sometimes when I bend over, it pokes me in the belly. When I'm grafting, I leave the blade open in my belt facing down.
Some tips for grafting. When doing a cleft cut down the rootstock, I put pressure on the back of the blade with my thumb and rock the blade back and forth. When the blade cuts through the scion it will stop at your thumb, This can prevent those times where the blade jumps down the root stock. Doing the cleft graft and cutting away from you, its not to dangerous.
For whip and tongue, for the 2nd cut down the scion towards your hand, I place both my hands together at the bottom, so my hands aren't moving when cutting. I use a combination of my fingers and thumb to slowly pull and rock the blade into the scion. Most of the cutting is done with the rocking motion.
If you are afraid of cutting yourself, you can wear gardening gloves in your left hand(non dominate hand) when cutting. This is usually the hand that's in danger. Although you would need to take the glove off after you are done cutting for the other fine details. I've heard people using a piece of wood and drilling a hole down the middle, you would place this between the scion and your hand.
Edit: added picture of my grafting belt.
