I'm a strong believer in traditional hand techniques for repair, and for strong sharp knives. My favorite is this 18mm violin maker's knife. I've tried the expensive Japanese laminated steel numbers, but I find that I'm a bit abusive, making curving cuts in ebony and things like that. In my hands, the extra hard cutting edges actually crumble and become useless in short order. This knife keeps its edge reasonably well and doesn't break down.



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© Frank Ford, 9/4//00; Photos by FF, 8/15/00