Ditch The Patch Knife

[jefair1]

I cut my patches the same diameter as my barrel. That way I won't have material to catch on the ramrod.

 

[Dale Lilly]

I would love to find something like this - or find someone that makes it. This seems a handy way to carry lubed strips. I found this image and saved it from the web.View attachment 158487

If you need a patch 1" wide or less, go to your local USPS and buy a brass stamp dispenser. Not cheap but looks great. In fact, a guy with a bit of inventive nature could extend the width of one very easily. Dale

 

[SlidePicker]

I carry my pre-cut patches in an Altoids tin box, and others in a loading block with balls.

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

 

[Billy Boy]

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

Mine is called a neck knife

 

[Brokennock]

So?

 

[Snydly]

I'll stick with my patch knife. It is "razor sharp". No sawing involved.. Quick and easy.

 

[Walkabout]

Tried the shears today. Snip done, worked perfectly.

 

[Polecat_Tom]

I am glad that you found a solution that works for you.

 

[Mad L]

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.

Why do you 'saw away' at patches?
Its cloth, a sharp knife slices through like hot butter...I have never had to 'saw' a patch. And have you ever tried cutting a cloth strip that has a fold in it?
With a proper sharp blade I can assure you I will out slice patches quicker and with less effort then anyone with a pair of scissors.

 

[Mad L]

Get a sharper knife,,,, and a longer one. Those little knives advertised as "patch knives," aren't usually long enough to cut a patch clean in one stroke.
I use my 6" blade belt knife.
Occasionally I'll have to make a second pass, but never "saw" through the material.

I would have to disagree on that one. The little 3" 'patch knife' I got some 10 years ago still slices through patch in just a single pass, don't recall ever missing; 75cal musket, .50cal, .45cal pistol *SWIPE* cut, done. And to date I have nor even had to sharpen it, I did swipe it on a leather strope once just because I was board and doing other knives but it didn't really need it....but it NEVER cuts anything except Patches.

Now if I could just find something to cut patches at the muzzle of my .75 cal Blunderbuss....maybe a pair of shears??

 

[Coot]

Now if I could just find something to cut patches at the muzzle of my .75 cal Blunderbuss....maybe a pair of shears??

I am using a machete to cut patches on my .75 blunderbuss but am still not getting moa accuracy. Maybe I should sharpen the blade??

 

[Eterry]

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've never in my 40 plus years owned a patch knife. Always precut and stashed in empty cap tin.

 

[Redlemur60]

Ya'll are an ebarrasment to the manly
Man club. "I waS gonna precut some patches for my altoid tin,then i remembered i have a nail appointment "? Git a patch knife!

 

[Mike in FL]

Ha, Good answer! I missed the sawing in the first go around. One good slice should work!
Larry

 

[Mike in FL]

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.

 

[Brokennock]

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.

You know a knife can be resharpend right?
I use my belt knife for patches and other tasks, cutting an apple and some cheese for lunch, cutting tobacco for my pipe, cutting cordage, among other tasks. And I touch up the shaving sharp blade now and then.


Please, show us how your "little pouch" sewn to your bag strap, and that knife only being used for patch cutting, is "the old way."

 

[S.Kenton]

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.

That’s exactly what I do, cut a strip of patching the width that is needed, cut the same strip for the size of the ball, cut it ALMOST all the way across, then one can lube it and tear it off by hand when seating the ball in the muzzle. I normally have two strips with about 20-30 patches per strip ( maybe more depending) for a woods walk or a day of shooting

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

I do this for the tradition. I like doing things the good old fashioned way. I could also use pre-measured plastic charges, maxi bullets with sabots, carry all my accesories in a modern waterproof nylon bag, etc. etc.

But where’s the fun in that?

 

[Sun City]

For me, a good sharp patch knife is the fastest. I just place my patch strip on the muzzle push the ball flush and one quick pass with a razor sharp knife it is ready to be pushed home.

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

 

[DuncNZ]

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

Old time cut throat razors are razor sharp and make excellent period available patch knives ,Just watch your fingers some have a mind of their own as to when and where it comes to cutting , .