Which swivel knike blade is better : Steel vs Ceramic ?

[Ace Lungger]

Howdy Pards, 
You all had the Topic which swivel knife is the best? I believe it is still up in the air! There is no doubt that any of your higher quiality knifes will peform better.
But what I what to know, is which type of blade is the best? Reasons, a beginner needs all the help he can get, what I thought was sharp wasn't there on ebay, there is a guy that has some ceramic blades, and he has a ebay store, he claims never need to sharpen! He didn't say it would not need stropping, but he says never needs sharping! There is no doubt in my mine that is wrong, I can't see how it could be made without needing sharpen.
I am asking this because in a month or 2, I am going to try and buy a new blade or 2, and the price difference is a lot! Just so I will know, like the leather explained to me, you get what you pay for!! Since running a swivel knife with great control is not learned over night, I feel that if you start off with a better blade, it will make your control better to learn.
I would be very great full to hear from you all!

ACE

I love working with leather!!

[Hank Rugerman]

Ace..being a knife maker I can tell you...that everything that cuts will need to have an edge dressed from time to time.

A (using) knife gets a lot of abuse, cutting rope, plastic, rubber, fingers ..etc.

generally speaking by the time folks get around to "sharpening" a knife, it takes a bit to get it back in shape...
believe me, all those that know me, ask them to "sharpen" their knives.

With the leather type swivel knives (actually blades). The bevels have been set (for the most part) and are ready for service....after you have dressed them, or as we say strop them into condition.

The real trick with a swivel blade is taking all the "drag" out of it by polishing the edges so fine that the blade basically glides through the hide..(hey that rhymed)

I bought a double cut ceramic, like most have done....it had the same ridges and milling marks as the steel do...
I stropped mine until I could'nt see any more blemishes or ridges on the bevels...guess it's just something that comes with the territory....

the blade now cuts without effort and is ready for action....

To (sort of) answer your question....buy what you can afford, and be prepared to "tune it up" to the tool it's meant to be, and IMHO I don't really think steel or ceramic has much to do with it. except that ceramic is brittle and won't be very forgiving if dropped or handled the wrong way...

Just to give you an insight..on another thread I was asking about home made tools..it has occurred to me to build a double cut w a 1/4" shank to fit my swivel...out of steel and make it a bit wider than what is commercially available....

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I like a good steel blade but some people have great results with ceramic. The sharpest one I got receltly was from Henley. Once you have an edge on your blade, they're all going to cut. Better quality blades hold that edge longer. Get the best quality you can and you're in business.

[Ace Lungger]

Thanks guys,
When I get ready for a new blade, I will have to give it a lot of thought! i want a double liner blade, but I was advise to stay away from one of them, untill I got use to useing a single blade! And my mentor has never steered me wrong yet! So i think for know, i will use what I got, I have all of them sharp (not thought sharp) but sharp, and strop a lot!
Thanks
ACE

[cowboy316]

ok guys was wondering if they still make a steel double blade for the swivel knife instead of the expensive ceramic ones or does some one have an extra i could buy from them im in need of one but cant find one any where round here except the ceramic ones

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

 Howdy 316

        I just got one from Henley, but it wasn't cheaper, $ 45.00, but it is sharper than the ceramic out of the box new, maybe WC will chime in here he has several, I'm not sure if his are all made by the same company or person.


                                            tEN wOLVES 

[cowboywc]

Howdy
Tandy used to make a steel one but not anymore.
Henley & Bob Beard make good ones. Henley is cheaper. I have 2 I made my self. I ground down an old blade and used a diamond bit for my dremel, they work great.
WC

[cowboy316]

WC
hey pard if i tried to use a dremal  tool to make one id end up with holes in places holes werent ment to be LOL
ill just keep lookin on ebay and the flea markets maybe ill get lucky some day
    but if any one out there does have one they arent using and would want to part with it let me know
       Cowboy316