Patch knife

[bigmike]

Is it best to use a patch knife or pre-cut patches? Any one know about the Leatherman patch knife from Cabelas?

 

[ohio ramrod]

For assured centering cuting at the muzzle guarantes the ball will be centered. For klutz's like me who don't like holding a sharp knife any more than neccesary, precut patches are convinent. The use of a loading block lets you "reload" any patch/ball that might not be centered. :idunno:

 

[necchi]

bigmike, that question has always been in contention.
IMHO, it's up to the individual, niether way has an advantage over the other as long as the ball is completely surrounded by the patch.

If you cut at the muzzle, all that's needed is a sharp knife, it doesn't have to be marketed as a "patch knife" to do the job. Put a sharp edge on a butter knife, cut the patch with it and it's now a patch kife.

 

[cynthialee]

I still think patch scisors would be a better way than a knife.

(coming from the girl who uses store bought pre lubed patches)

 

[jdkerstetter]

I have one of "The Leatherman's" patch knifes tough mine is in a sheath sewn on one of my bag straps as is available as an option from him.

It is of high quality and sharpens to a very keen edge. Idealy though I would perfer a longer blade than the 2" to provide for a nice slicing cut...even 3" would be better...especially if using a larger caliber that needs wider patching material.

For a small caliber rifle the 2" blade should serve you well.

Enjoy, J.D.

 

[CrackStock]

Mike,

You can spend a lot of time sifting through the arguments on this question. I find little difference in the results on the paper. The difference for me is in the doing. I like to cut mine at the muzzle from my strip of cloth. I either use Dutch's dry lubed patch or spit/water.

My favorite patchknife is here:
Track Patch knife

Fairly cheap, I like the shape and it holds an edge well enough for the intended purpose.

CS

 

[BrownBear]

When my hands are cold or wet, I spray precut patches all over the countryside. And it's worse with gloves. All accuracy debate aside, it makes good practical sense for my needs. I also use strips rather than precuts when filling my loading blocks, because cutting them off flush eliminates any fabric sticking up to hang on stuff and dislodge the balls.

I don't shoot well enough to say one is better than the other accuracy-wise.

 

[nchawkeye]

I do it all just depending on the situation....

When getting ready for a hunt I cut with scissors at the loading block...When casual shooting I usually cut at the muzzle with a folding Case or Old Timer...I sometimes even use store bought patches but never pre lubed...

Sometimes I even pre cut spare patches and put in my patchbox...

 

[pa woods roamer]

When I was on Plavix, I tried to stay away from all the sharp objects I could!!The Docs graphic warning of excessive Bleeding hit Home. I went to using pre-cut and like it. I have a long piece of artificial Sinew on my strap and string the pre-cuts on it. Makes it easy to pull one off and load up.

 

[BrownBear]

I have a long piece of artificial Sinew on my strap and string the pre-cuts on it. Makes it easy to pull one off and load up.

You, or someone else, has written about that before. I like the idea, but still haven't gotten around to trying it. Thanks for the reminder!

 

[crowfluffer]

I tried this after reading about it and use the string all the time now. It's quick and eliminates fumbling around for patches in a container. I make them up with about 25 patches on each one which makes it easy to replace your supply on the strap.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Matter of personal preference. I cut at muzzle. Big advantage is the material can be purchased in large quantities with money savings. And, it can be lubed as you want.
Of course you can also cut or punch your own patches in advance. Extra steps and bother, IMHO.