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 Post subject: Marking knife
PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 7:04 pm 
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Showing my ignorance

As a result of an article in Wood Mag. I started looking at marking knives and was supprised at the cost and varaition in price ranging from $50 for right/left to $10. From rosewood handle to ??handle.

And compaired to a Xacto knife wow!!

The question is just what is the advantage of a formal marking knife and should one get both right and left or the combo deal??

Some education please.


Thanks

Duan

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 7:11 pm 
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I use Xacto knives a lot for marking but for some things the blade is a bit flexible and doesn't follow a line well. For that I like a double bevel marking knife, I have tried the left and right type but don't care for them, just a personal thing on my part.


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PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 8:28 pm 
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I use one more than a pencil. Sharper line, and easier to see on dark wood. Also gives a very precise "starter" for chisel work. Sent you a pm.

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 8:37 pm 
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I use all three-- an exacto, a marking knife (left handed crown brand) and a pencil

When I'm going for very (very) exacting measurements I use the marking knife. As it only has the bevel on one side of the blade I can rest the other against my straightedge and get my mark exactly where I want it to be without tilting the handle-- for the exacto I have to tilt the blade to the right to get the same effect. The marking knife also makes a heavier mark than the exacto and gives me more "valley" to register my chisel in

Lawrence


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PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 8:42 pm 
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Hey Duan,

The main feature of most marking knives is a blade that's beveled on only one side, so that the edge is always flush to the guide that you're using. Some are for right hand use, some for left, and others are pointed with a double bevel so that they can be used in either direction. I have a rather simple double bevel model with a round handle about the diameter of a large pen.

I really like using it, because it gives a very precise location for the cut, and in the case of most things, like dovetails, kerfs and dadoes, it actually makes the first cut, and allows me to put the blade in exactly the right location.

One of the things I come to appreciate most about using the marking knife is, that as my eyes grow older and weaker, I find that I can locate the marks just as easily as before, because it's easy to feel where they are with the edge of my cutting tool. I don't have to see them.

Tom

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PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 6:22 am 
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I have the one from Lee Valley... A striking knife:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx ... at=1,42936

Runs about $18.... worth every penny. Gives you a fine mark to start chisels in, crisp lines for cutting tenon shoulders, etc. Never gets 'fat' like a pencil lead that wears down...

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PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 9:33 am 
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Hey Duan,

Tom's knife is the same one that I use.

Tom

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PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 9:38 am 
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Thanks guys, its decided I should have one.
Now I need to decide which.

Gene reply sent.

Thanks

Duan

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Last edited by Clipper on Tue Mar 23, 2010 10:32 am, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 9:45 am 
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Hey Duan,

I've always been impressed by Blue Spruce Tools' knife

Tom

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PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 10:21 am 
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A marking knife might be the way to go for me too! I've given them some thought before, and always have at least one knife close at hand, but a dedicated marking knife would be much more accurate.

Tom, those are some beautiful tools on that site, but a bit pricey is an understatement. :shock:

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PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 10:27 am 
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Hey Frank,

Yeah, I asked for one for Christmas, but when I didn't get it, I bought the Veritas knife, and I've been very pleased with it.

Another advantage of the marking knife is that it's not really very good as a utility knife, so it's always sharp. :D

Tom

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PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 12:49 pm 
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Why buy, when they are easy to make? Hacksaw a blade blank out of an old circ saw blade, grind and sharpen, make a grip. Or buy a piece of 1/8" or thicker steel from a hardware store. :)

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 Post subject: Great tool
PostPosted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 3:16 am 
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Superb tip about a tool that I havent seen in Sweden before. I used a Stanley knife instead. And making one yourself... I have a go at it on Monday.
/Anders


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PostPosted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:45 am 
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Fine WoodWorking did an article about marking knives. In their opinion the exacto knife was about as good as anything.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:50 am 
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I have used carving knives with perfect results. no flex, stiff . and serves more then one purpose.

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