Ditch The Patch Knife

[Joemolf]

scissors work fine foe me

I’d be afraid of cutting myself

 

[Nemo Vir]

I have about 8 SZCO Patch knives in rotation. They are cheapos, about $11. I shoot on a public range, so I am not going to leave a hundred+ knife unattended while I shoot. they don’t stay sharp long, but I get a lot of practice sharpening them, I consider that a plus.

 

[Brokennock]

I have about 8 SZCO Patch knives in rotation. They are cheapos, about $11. I shoot on a public range, so I am not going to leave a hundred+ knife unattended while I shoot. they don’t stay sharp long, but I get a lot of practice sharpening them, I consider that a plus.

Why would you be leaving the knife unattended????

 

[Nemo Vir]

When I go to shoot my rifle, I leave it on the back bench with other stuff.

 

[Brokennock]

Why? Put it in its sheath where it belongs and with the sheath on your person. I wouldn't leave any of my gear out of my immediate control.

 

[Garbear34]

I second watch black powder maniac shooter videos. I cut patch part way roll strips put them in a container. Tear cloth at muzzle after pall pushed in flush with barrel

 

[nhmoose]

I have about 8 SZCO Patch knives in rotation. They are cheapos, about $11. I shoot on a public range, so I am not going to leave a hundred+ knife unattended while I shoot. they don’t stay sharp long, but I get a lot of practice sharpening them, I consider that a plus.

I'd move to a better area.

 

[Nemo Vir]

I'd move to a better area.

No sense in tempting people, besides a cheap knife that’s sharp is good as one that is expensive.

 

[cynthialee]

small sharp scissors take up no more room in a bag than a knife does......

 

[1BadDart]

I was cutting at the muzzle but bought a gasket punch and cut out a bunch of patches. I used the cut patches the last time I shot, think I'll shoot cut patches for a little while.

 

[stephenprops1]

I pre-cut my patches. However, I still carry a patch knife in case of an emergency or I run out of pre-cuts. Some matches use more shots than others.

 

[stephenprops1]

I pre-cut my patches. However, I still carry a patch knife in case of an emergency or I run out of pre-cuts. Some matches use more shots than others.

 

[AZbpBurner]

After over 50 years of shooting muzzleloaders, I've long ago given up all pretense of historical correctness.
Until I take the rifle from the scabbard after parking my mule at the range, I need no scratchy undies, hot woolen coats, not patch knives - precut and pre dry-lubed work just fine.

 

[Billy Boy]

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.

Patch knife is much easier to clean the sleep out of my eyes., I’ll stick to it.

 

[Robby]

Either one will work just fine, but the knife is much easier to keep sharp. Scissors, just don't run with them.
Robby

 

[longcruise]

If I'm loading from the pouch in a woodswalk or any kind of organized shoot and need multiple shots, I cut a button hole in the patch strip and fasten it to a button that lines up with the muzzle for loading. Cut at the muzzle. I'll do the same if small game hunting. For big game there are four or five patched balls in a loading block.

What! Why five? Who needs five shots for one deer or elk?

Well, here in the Colorado Rockies we have a big, fat dumb grouse called a blue grouse. They are excellent camp fare and you are allowed 3 per day. Being dumb, it's sometimes possible to collect three out of one covey if you are quick enough. And, no, it ain't wing shooting!

 

[Okie Hog]

What! Why five? Who needs five shots for one deer or elk?

Why not?

In the last five years i've killed over 20 deer: Only one needed a second shot. i also shoot hogs and coyotes in deer season.

 

[Redlemur60]

I make my shooting pouches with leather and most have one or more leather pockets sewn in. I just stuff the extra strip of patching into a pouch pocket or into the bottom of the bag if no pocket. No harm to anything else in the bag and certainly not the leather. I'll add that my patching is lubed sparingly. Just enough.

I'll use any old knife for a "patch knife". Sharp, sharp, sharp. That's the main criteria.

Lots of guys use patch soaked in a ballistol mix.when dry its not a mess

 

[SPQR70AD]

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 ?

I use my gfs toothbrush when I clean BP revolvers for the hard to get places. I put it back and she never knows or caught me yet

 

[Tanglefoot]

Well, the question never has come up for this child. Been a traditionalist since I started shooting muzzleloaders back in the 60's with a battered Remington 1858 and and a Harper's Ferry rifle, both originals. There weren't a whole lot of sources for supplies and materials then and I didn't have any extra cash so I made most of what I needed. A few years later I got a blade blank from an outfit called Indian Ridge Traders .... long gone now .... for about a buck and a half, called the "Little Friend" as I recall, and made a handle for it from a broken piece of wood.
That's my main patch knife, and I'm still using it. I traded for another patch knife down the road a ways and that's the one I use with my trade gun. Never occurred to me to NOT use one.
Guess I'm just backwards that way.