Let's see your patch knives and technique

[mbokie]

I'm prepping myself for cutting at the muzzle.

What sort of knife do you use? Any chance of pics? Anything special or particular to cutting patches at the muzzle?

Thanking all of you in advance. :hatsoff:

 

[Reb_Cav2]

I second this request. Would Love to see the knives being used.

 

[Fred_Dwyer]

My tip is lay the flat of the knife on the muzzle. That way the edge itself is not on the metal of the muzzle and the edge only sees cloth and occasionally lead. It'll stay sharper a little longer that way. Oh yeah, and cut away from yourself.

 

[jethro224]

What sort of knife do you use?

A sharp one.

Anything special or particular to cutting patches at the muzzle?

Yep. Use a sharp knife.

It doesn't really matter what kind of knife you use to cut patches. Some like a small dedicated patch knife, some use their regular belt knife... Choose one that fits your hand and persona well. Then, be sure it is very sharp.

 

[mbokie]

That is the sort of knife I imagined, something small and handy.

Who made that knife? How long is the blade?

 

[Rifleman1776]

I have two in my shooting box for the range. One is pointy, the other is one of those cut off at the end types and I use it the most. For shooting from the bag I have a small neck knife that works fine. Sorry for no pics, I still haven't doped out how to post them here. BTW, in my box I have a sharpening steel and a small diamond file I used to sharpen. For the bag, I just make sure my knife is sharp when I start out. Nothing in bag to sharpen with.

 

[mbokie]

You live around 80 miles from my sister. I go through Mountain Home when I go to her house in Heber Springs.

The pics aren't hard to deal with, but it can be confusing if you're unfamiliar.

 

[Mickc01]

Hi mbokie,
I've recently switched to pre-cut/pre-lubed patches but for years I cut them at the muzzle the old fashion way. When I do cut my own, I use a "Tiny early French Trade Knife" i got from Track of the Wolf (link below). It's an affordable, nice looking little knife that really keeps a razor sharp edge.

Link: http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Cate...tId=9&subId=58&styleId=222&partNum=KNIFE-FT-T

When cutting at the muzzle, I typically use the old spit patch method of licking the material before pushing the ball and patch material in just below the muzzle. Then with the rifle butt of course still on the ground, I cradle it against the inside of my arm and cut the patch flat and even across the end of the barrel (as Fred discribed) using the little French knife, being careful not to scratch the muzzle. As the others have said, I have learned the hard way that the key is having a REALLY sharp knife. Hope this helps”¦..Mick

Oh yeah....be careful about the direction of cutting, whether toward or away from yourself and have a band-aid handy in your box or bag.

 

[BrownBear]

I "cut at the muzzle" for virtually every shot, but almost never getting the knife anywhere near the gun barrel. I just use the knife and lubed patch strips to fill loading blocks.

I still carry a knife (sharp, very very sharp), a few loose balls, a strip of patching and a little tin of lube in the bottom of my bag. But even in the field I use those to refill the block once it's low or empty.

 

[Robby]

Mbokie, Here's a couple. The one, I made from 01 steel with horn slabs. Takes and holds an edge real nice and spit gives it a good patin real fast. :wink: The straight razor, I use with my small game .40, and have to admit, it does creep me out a little in use, scary sharp!!

Robby

 

[George]

What sort of knife do you use? Any chance of pics?

I always cut at the muzzle and I have gathered up three patch knives over the years to go with different shot pouches.

Keep you knife sharp. I press the ball down level with the muzzle using the blade of the knife, then pull up on the excess patch and cut toward myself with the blade flat on the muzzle. (Can't show that exactly and hold a camera in my right hand.)

The top knife is of goat horn and it's the one I use most of the time. It's not only good for cutting patches.

Spence

 

[tg]

When I used to cut at the muzzle on occasion I have used a butcher knife with a 10" blade and if sharp it worked fine,I also have a 3" blade attatched to my bag strap which is now basicaly a utility knife,for dressing Deer, eating, whatver it will work for, while researching various issues the period evidence suggested that cutting at the muzzle was likley not the common method, I started using square pre-cuts

 

[Stumpkiller]

I only have a couple knives that were purpose built patch knives. Most often I use whatever sheath knife I have on my belt. When I sharpen a knife it's just as sharp for patch cutting as it is for field dressing.

Here's one on a Brusletto Norwegian (laminated) 3-1/4'" blade with small whitetail crown grip.

The other is a "bobbed" patchcutter blade (also Norwegian with the tip rounded) of about 2" in an antler tip. I bobbed it after repeatedly seperating my shooting ball-block from the leather lace when I wore it around my neck. (uppermost knife in the below image).

In my shooting bag I carry a folder - this is a bone handled A.G. Russell. Not period correct but semi-close (and a darned good knife - which has field dressed several whitetail nicely).

 

[hoochiepapa]

I carry this knife everywhere, hunting small game, elk, deer, etc. It holds a good edge, and I even cut patches with it, (something I just learned to do).

This one, on the other hand, does everything!!

 

[bilder]

Very nice thread. Been thinking of trying cutting at the muzzle and this really helps.

:thumbsup:

 

[mbokie]

That's a nice blade.

:thumbsup:

 

[mbokie]

Well, it's plain to see those knives are experienced.

:wink:

 

[mbokie]

Well kept blades Spence. :v

 

[mbokie]

That's a nice and useful collection of gear. :thumbsup:

 

[mbokie]

I think I have a knife just like that.

Mike, I think you can get some help for skin that pale. :haha: