Ditch The Patch Knife

[Polecat_Tom]

You must be using thing patches or have the world's sharpest patch knife!!

I use .015 patches. Not that it matters, but I am a wood carver. I just keep my patch knife razor sharp like my carving knives.

 

[duca]

I've been using my Pinay Girlfriends "Lady shaver", sure it takes 8 times longer but hey we're doing the 18-19th century thing why be in a hurry ?

yummy!!

 

[Mike in FL]

I got indirectly sassed in the guise of politeness. I'm sorry if I offended. A nicer framed question would have netted you an answer. I believe I shall sit this one out and hope everyone enjoys their historic endeavors in the way they find best.

 

[Joemolf]

A patch knife should be just that and have no other function. Keep it close without having to dig for it. One way is to sew a little pouch on your bag strap. Use it, put it back. Always there, always sharp. Small, skinny blade. Using one knife for many purposes will cause a dull knife where the silly sawing is needed. How embarrassing even to yourself. The old way is and was the right way.

Agree though I use precut a patches sometimes cut at the muzzle IMO wraps the ball perfectly. When I do cut patches my little knife hang’s from a lanyard around my neck; I almost forget it’s there.

 

[stephenprops1]

True. --- If the knife is sharp, it only takes a quick slice. If it is a dull knife than sawing is necessary.

 

[stephenprops1]

My precut, prelubed patches are in an Altoids tin, too.

I use Altoid tins to hold my essential tools and another tin for patches.

 

[stephenprops1]

I've been thinking, instead of sawing away with a patch knife, why not use a pair of shears. Not historically correct, but probably faster and more efficient. Maybe some of you are doing this already, but I'm going to try it on my next range trip.

I think a pair of scissors on the firing line would be more of an obstruction than using a patch knife. ---- When I am loading my loading block I cut the needed patches with scissors. When I load on the firing line I use a patch knife after my loading block is empty.

 

[TDM]

Mine is shaving sharp, works good.

 

[david w]

Mine is shaving sharp, works good.

I that a single bevel edge?

 

[BadDaditood]

Ditch the patch knife?
Just ditch the patch- problem solved!
;-)

 

[Eterry]

As precious as Good quality tool steel was in the 18th century how could a poor back woodsman afford to own not one, but two knives of quality? I don't recall reading anything of the period talking about a dedicated patch knife.
I thought a large knife might take the place of a small knife, but seldom is the reverse true.

As for strips of patching strung to your bag, it would be one more thing to flutter in the breeze for the enemy to see, and one more thing to snag on a briar or nettle as you crept thru the brush, or ran for your life for survival.
That's just my thoughts.

 

[TDM]

I that a single bevel edge?

No, it’s double. It’s a thin blade but it does look funny in the photo.

 

[Dave T]

Watch bp maniac's videos. He partially pre cuts and has a video demonstrating. He just tears a patch off the strip he carries. I tried it, very simple and quick.

I recently saw that video. I need to start what he showed in the video. Plus I was surprised that he used veggie oil as lube. But hey cheap way.

 

[Howard Pippin]

I have A son-in-law who chews nontobacco that comes in plastic snuse cans. He saved me a bunch of them and they really were good for prelude patches whether round or square. You can write on the can with one of these silver permanent ink markers in case you are trying different things. A touch of carburetor cleaner will remove the writings if you want to use it for something else.
Squint

 

[Jedidiah]

I have a hand forged patch knife that is very sharp, but i never use it. Pre cut patches are just so-o-o-o much easier. IMHO

 

[Grenadier1758]

But that ball nestled in the cut at the muzzle patch just looks so right.