Looking for a Round Knife?

Marshal Will Wingam · February 06, 2009, 09:16:17 PM

For any of you who have been wanting to get a round knife, I found these on eBay. They're C. S. Osborne #70 Round Knives, brand new for $49.78 and a few bucks shipping. The listing has about a day and a half to go as of when I'm posting this. I bought one because of the price. There are 4 left. Here's the link:

CSO Round Knife

RollingThunder · February 07, 2009, 02:38:01 PM

Do they come with instructions? I have no idea how to use a round knife.

Marshal Will Wingam · February 07, 2009, 05:32:52 PM

I've been working with leather for almost 40 years and never used one. I figured it was about time I tried it. I'm expecting it to work much like the rounded knife I've been using but the radius is much greater. It can be rocked, sissor-like to cut shallow curves and laid sideways for skivving. You can rock it or push/pull it along a straight cut. I've seen the tip stuck through the leather then pushed along for cuts. Like I said, I have no idea what to expect, other than it will be different than what I'm used to and, by that virtue alone, should do some things better. I've been forced to order new sharpening stones (something I've been meaning to do anyway) because the ones I have are way too small to sharpen this without drawing blood.

Hopefully, one of the pards who use one regularly will chime in with some tips.

RollingThunder · February 07, 2009, 05:40:29 PM

I have an Alaskan Inuit round knife ... not as user, though.

And I get your point about drawing blood.

Get it? Point?

OK. I'll keep my day job Marshall.

Springfield Slim · February 08, 2009, 12:19:29 AM

Yeah, I have some advice. Don't cut your fingers off, those things are scary!

Dalton Masterson · February 08, 2009, 05:20:27 PM

Never pull it towards your self, in a way that if it slips it will cut you. I think that would make one heck of a mess of a leathersmith.

I have a pair of antique ones that I have been playing with. They are handy at times, but I still like my disposable hooked carpet blades and utility blades.

DM

Marshal Will Wingam · February 09, 2009, 06:43:04 PM

So the knife arrived today. Fast shipping. Good service there. The knife has one problem, though. The blade is somewhat crooked on the handle. I have an email into the seller to see what he wants to do about either exchanging it or refunding the purchase price. He doesn't have any negative marks on his transaction record, so I expect he'll take care of it satisfactorily. I'll keep you advised.

7:00 I've already heard from the seller and he will exchange it with no problem. He'll open the next one to make sure that it is satisfactory before shipping. He'll also refund my return shipping. Outstanding service. I'll send it off tomorrow.

RollingThunder · February 10, 2009, 06:18:42 PM

What's the word from the back of the herd, Marshall?

Marshal Will Wingam · February 10, 2009, 10:01:30 PM

I mailed it off today. The seller has told me he'll replace it and pay the return postage. He's easy to deal with. All I have to do now is wait for him to get it and return the replacement.

Marshal Will Wingam · February 21, 2009, 03:30:12 PM

The seller checked the other few knives he has on hand and none of them were absolutely machine straight. He happily refunded my money. I'll do business with him in the future if he has something I want. I can see why he has 100% positive feedback.

T.C. Grant · February 21, 2009, 06:41:42 PM

Sounds like he may have been selling seconds?

Marshal Will Wingam · February 21, 2009, 06:47:09 PM

I suppose that's possible. Maybe there was a batch of them that weren't up to normal standards.

T.C. Grant · February 21, 2009, 07:12:35 PM

Siegel leather has a Osbourne TL70 round knife on sale right now for $36.53. I'd get myself one if I wasn't scared I'd lose an appendage.

Marshal Will Wingam · February 21, 2009, 08:58:49 PM

I found one at Hide Crafter for 49.95. It'll be nice to see how it is. Siegel's price is really good. I don't see how they can sell them for that. I guess I'm going to find out how they are to use. If this one doesn't work out, maybe I'll make one or something.

Rayban · February 23, 2009, 04:01:55 PM

I put the word out that I was in the market for one. Some guys from another leather forum told me that the new Osborn knives didn't have the quality of steel that the old ones do, whatever that means....
Anywayz, i was about to push the button on one when this one shows up in the mail. A friend on another knife forum had it sitting around and he wasn't sure what it was.....so now it's mine!

I put a nice edge on it....seems to be an oldie...no stamp or marking, but it works...now no piece of leather is safe.

Built a house for it too....

Marshal Will Wingam · February 23, 2009, 04:18:56 PM

Very cool, Rayban. That's a nice one.

cowboywc · February 23, 2009, 04:48:56 PM

Howdy Rayban
Good price....
Nice job on the case.
WC

cowboy316 · February 23, 2009, 04:55:09 PM

very cool gift Rayban id love to get a round knife but never have the monet to get one so ill just keep lookin round at the shops
Cowboy316

Marshal Will Wingam · February 23, 2009, 07:03:58 PM

Doggone, Rayben. I forgot to mention your case. It really looks good. I'll be needing one and will probably make one similar to that. Thanks for the pics.

Delmonico · February 24, 2009, 07:24:03 PM

Will, I have a knife I bought at a thift store, now I know what the heck it really is, I'll take some pictures of it, seems to be hand forged and old.

It was in the kitchen knives and silly me, you know the way I tink, I thought is was a noodle cutting knife.

(Well they look alike.)