What type of blade do most of you use on your patch knife? Single bevel, old straight razors, or something other? Would love to see some pictures of one's that could be easily made without a lot of power tools? And what have to found to be the best size of a blade to use?
Patch knives.
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Very good steel, sharpened to a razor edge, and not less than a 4" blade.
I really like this one and have affixed scabs to several as gifts and for sale;
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Search.aspx?search=blade-spear-03
p.s. I don't care for the cutler rivets sold with the kit and prefer epoxy w/brass or steel pins.
p.s. I don't care for the cutler rivets sold with the kit and prefer epoxy w/brass or steel pins.
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Black Hand
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I use whatever knife I have available (usually my belt knife) - no need to have a special "patch knife" (very much a modern invention)...
Exactly. Modern man has become obsessed with "gadgets" for every little task. IMOBlack Hand said:
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Claude said:
Zackly. That's why my "patch knife" has a 4"+ blade. It's also my gutter/skinner/whittler and all around toad sticker. Seen a fingernail or two in it's day, too. :wink:
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Yeah, they look good, for modern knives. 
Zug said:Well -- I like a knife that looks good,;
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I only ever made one "purpose made" patch knife and that was back in the late 70's. I made it from a very thin Indian Ridge Traders' 4" blank that came pre-hardened. Even though I hollow ground that blade on a rough snag grinder, I did it slowly enough that it did not anneal the blade. I only ground it on one side, thinking to leave the flat side that would help it to slide over the muzzle when cutting the patch with a straight bottom blade.
Also made the tip of the blade in what I think they call a "sheep's foot" or rounded down from the back to the edge. With that kind of a tip, it was almost useless as a general purpose knife, though it was scary sharp and cut pillow ticking like butter. A good friend liked it so much that he joked he would not give it back after borrowing it, so I later gave it to him.
After that, I never made another purpose built patch knife. Just didn't see the need when a good belt knife worked.
Gus
Also made the tip of the blade in what I think they call a "sheep's foot" or rounded down from the back to the edge. With that kind of a tip, it was almost useless as a general purpose knife, though it was scary sharp and cut pillow ticking like butter. A good friend liked it so much that he joked he would not give it back after borrowing it, so I later gave it to him.
After that, I never made another purpose built patch knife. Just didn't see the need when a good belt knife worked.
Gus
Onojutta
45 Cal.
I love this knife for everything.
http://jas-townsend.com/18th-trade-knife-square-handled-p-84.html
They also sell one called a "patch knife" but it is shorter. The one above is great for field dressing deer.
http://jas-townsend.com/18th-trade-knife-square-handled-p-84.html
They also sell one called a "patch knife" but it is shorter. The one above is great for field dressing deer.
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Whatever I have on my belt. All my knives are equally sharp. Though I do have a "penny knife" in my shooting bag to refill the ball block. I seldom cut at the muzzle unless required for shoot or other reason.
Cruzatte
50 Cal.
I quit using a dedicated patch knife some years ago. I use my all purpose belt knife; the same one I might cut a rope with, and the same one I might strip the bark off of a green limb for roasting marshmallows or brotwursts over the fire.bowjock said:
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Mora blank + antler handle.
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Claude said:
I made my own patch knife out of a piece of pipe...... :rotf:
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I've never seen a muzzle yet that doesn't get scratched up from a patch knife sooner or later and is why I have gone to pre-cut round patches I make myself.
It happens as the knife gets dull and one has to saw through the patch to get it cut off.
If there is a good chamfer it hurts nothing as far as I can tell, with the possible exception of dulling the patch knife faster, but I hate looking at buggered up barrel crowns.
It happens as the knife gets dull and one has to saw through the patch to get it cut off.
If there is a good chamfer it hurts nothing as far as I can tell, with the possible exception of dulling the patch knife faster, but I hate looking at buggered up barrel crowns.
agree.....I use a very sharp pocket knife, keep one in each box (for diff calibers). and I shrpen after each use. May even get a new fangled disposable blade knife "soon"
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M.D. said:
Plus 1 (only mine are square).
A friend made me one for me out of a file. It's on my carrying strap but I usually use my pocket knife.
Onojutta
45 Cal.
M.D. said:
I read somewhere that it might be possible to actually resharpen the knife edge once it gets dull...........
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