Author Topic: Grafting Knife  (Read 29988 times)

Mr. Clean

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Grafting Knife
« on: April 05, 2012, 12:21:07 AM »
I just received a grafting knife that I bought on eBay made by Zenport.  It has a black handle and is beveled on one side.  When you close the blade, the blade hits the tang inside of the handle, dulling the blade.  I am returning it.  I am buying a Victorinox Swiss Army Budding/grafting knife on Amazon for $22.  I thought I would share the experience to prevent others from having the same experience.
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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2012, 12:48:53 AM »
thanks for the buyer beware post!  I'm happy with both knives I got from www.amleo.com (AM Leonard)

they have a wood one that I got for 25 that's nice and a orange generic one for less that's just fine as well.  theyhave other good stuff to
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Mr. Clean

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #2 on: April 09, 2012, 06:03:10 PM »
As an update, I received my Victorinox grafting knife.  I like it.  It's much better quality and has two blades. 
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lkailburn

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #3 on: April 09, 2012, 06:57:32 PM »
So what is it that makes a grafting knife a grafting knife instead of just a pocket knife?

-Luke

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #4 on: April 09, 2012, 07:18:00 PM »
Luke,

A grafting knife is made with oneside of the blade ground flat, which allows the knife to be sharpened razer sharp.  The flat side is supposed to make the cutting easier to do it as a smooth, continuous cut, rather than whittling, which destroys plant tissue.  Some grafting knifes have a bark pealer, which allows you to pry the bar apart to insert scions. 
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lkailburn

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #5 on: April 09, 2012, 10:50:15 PM »
Neat, Thanks! I just signed up for a grafting workshop later this month. I've never tried, or watched it being done before so I'm looking forward to learning!

-Luke

behlgarden

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #6 on: April 10, 2012, 12:22:57 PM »
I got a grafting knife http://www.wayfair.com/Flexrake-Classic-Folding-Pruning-Knife-CLA322-AVJ1034.html?refid=EH&mmid=69059208&csnid=5BD11488-FCB0-415D-A6B9-A18518D2E801

But I love using razor box cutters, I get more control from them and they are very sharp even though they dont have one side flat edge, they have wedge edges on both sides. Is that an issue?

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #7 on: April 10, 2012, 09:56:42 PM »
BEHL:  When you need to sharpen your knife, how do you sharpen a curved blade like that?
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behlgarden

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2012, 12:02:03 AM »
That's why I dont like it, its here, not sure why they even make it.

Patrick

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2012, 08:52:29 PM »
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280842808708&ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:US:1123

A nice priced high carbon steel blade from a top manufacturer.  It will make my average way better Im sure!  :o

UPDATE!! SAVE $15 and order from the http://www.growers-inc.com/07te-tin645-9f.html that Tim mentions below!!
« Last Edit: April 17, 2012, 12:42:20 PM by pj1881 »

Tim

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #10 on: April 12, 2012, 12:56:10 AM »
Very nice find, this guy is pretty close to me too  ;D
Thanks mang!
Tim

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #11 on: April 17, 2012, 11:00:03 AM »
Has anyone shopped at this website before?  The price is totally insane ...

Growers Nursery Supply
Tim

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #12 on: April 17, 2012, 11:32:17 AM »
I have. That's where I bought my grafting knife. I think they have a $50 order mininum though.

Has anyone shopped at this website before?  The price is totally insane ...

Growers Nursery Supply
Jeff  :-)

Tim

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #13 on: April 17, 2012, 11:45:40 AM »
Thanks, Jeff, but I couldn't wait for a review so I placed an order immediately after posting  ;D

Doesn't seem to have a minimum order anymore cuz I only got that knife + shipping = $30.72
« Last Edit: April 17, 2012, 11:56:21 AM by Tim »
Tim

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #14 on: April 17, 2012, 12:12:58 PM »
OK. I've actually ordered a couple of times from them. You won't be let down.

Thanks, Jeff, but I couldn't wait for a review so I placed an order immediately after posting  ;D

Doesn't seem to have a minimum order anymore cuz I only got that knife + shipping = $30.72
Jeff  :-)

Patrick

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #15 on: April 17, 2012, 12:41:08 PM »
Mines still better cause I paid $15 more for it...  Damn it! @#$%$#@!!!!

On the bright side it is a really nice grafting knife, very sharp and smaller and easier to handle than most.
« Last Edit: April 17, 2012, 12:46:11 PM by pj1881 »

Tim

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #16 on: April 17, 2012, 12:48:31 PM »
lmao.... if it makes you feel any better, I'm paying $12.52 for shipping  ;D ;D ;D
Tim

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #17 on: April 17, 2012, 02:48:54 PM »
Just received an email from Grower's Nursery Supply on order status update with tracking number.  They reduced shipping cost from $12.52 to $6.34  ;D ;D ;D


645/9F TINA Budding with        07TE-TIN645-9F         1  18.20
bark lifter
(Shipped)
USPS Tracking Number:
4209202794055...........................
                                                Subtotal  18.20
                                                Shipping   6.34
                                                     Tax   0.00
                                                   Total  24.54

Tim

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #18 on: April 19, 2012, 09:09:36 PM »
Tim

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #19 on: April 19, 2012, 09:24:25 PM »
made in germany. Nice knife. The hard part is keeping it sharp. You want the blade to be sharp enough to where you can shave the back of your hand. Another test is to lightly drop the blade onto your thumbnail; the blade should stick rather than slide. I use a stone and a thrift store leather belt. Takes some practice.


Jeff  :-)

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #20 on: April 19, 2012, 11:19:30 PM »
Thank you, Kind sir!  It feels really nice and sturdy, easy to control the smaller blade.  I tried several cuts on the Hawthorne bush, nice clean cuts  ;D

Is it similar to sharpening & cleaning a straight razor?  I believe that's what you meant ...
Tim

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #21 on: April 20, 2012, 11:14:56 AM »
Yep, exactly!

Is it similar to sharpening & cleaning a straight razor?  I believe that's what you meant ...
Jeff  :-)

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #22 on: April 20, 2012, 11:33:36 AM »
Jeff do you use anything finer than a 6k prior to polishing on the leather? Do you use any polish on the leather??

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #23 on: April 20, 2012, 12:02:09 PM »
I'm not sure what the grit on the stone is, but I just use the fine side of the stone then hit with a leather. When I drop the knife and ruin the blade (always sucks), then I'll use the coarse side of the stone. But, to be honest, lately I've gotten lazy and have just started using disposable razors :-).

Jeff do you use anything finer than a 6k prior to polishing on the leather? Do you use any polish on the leather??
Jeff  :-)

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Re: Grafting Knife
« Reply #24 on: April 24, 2012, 04:33:18 PM »
OK, I confirm here now that good grafting knife doesnt make you a good grafts person. Agree on the following:
1. Timing of Rootstock pushing, buds of scions swelled, and weather - three important things.
2. Knife has to be sharp.

I am using box cutters to get perfect cuts and got great success so far, over 95% grafts took. I think important thing is timing!