I've had good luck with these. Especially the straight razor, it just glides through like butter. It's a vintage simco, but I've seen new ones going for cheap on ebay.
Absolute Best Knife For Cutting Plugs
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I've had good luck with these. Especially the straight razor, it just glides through like butter. It's a vintage simco, but I've seen new ones going for cheap on ebay.
my main problem with a knife is getting the exact thickness I want.
I tried to slice off a coin of curly block and I got a pretty damn thick coin lol
I tried to slice off a coin of curly block and I got a pretty damn thick coin lol
Great suggestions here. Lots to think about. I have purchased a few plugs that I haven't tried yet. Looking forward to this new to me realm of tobacco but do need to address slicing the plug.
This is my plug cutter, there are many like it, but this one is mine.
I had similar trouble with the knife on ropes so I got a cheap($3) cigar cutter from Amazon that works really well. I can consistently cut thin coins that rub out to a nice shag. I had misplaced it for a few days and that's when I tried the straight razor. I was surprised when it worked just as well as the 'gar cutter. I just keep my fingernails against the blade like I was chiffonading and I get a very consistent fine cut.
I'm not a VaPer kinda of guy, but I thought of ordering curly block when SP had 'em in stock, just so I can use the slicer on it!
The knife I've had the most success with at cutting plugs is a Marbles Damascus. It has a pronounced curve to the blade and I think that's the reason it works well. I can kind of "rock" it through the plug.
I use an Opinel. I have one of their beefier sizes...(I beleive it is a #12 ? ) nothing flimsy about this one.I only use it for plugs however so it stays sharp fairly long. Easy to sharpen.
I love that Erie slicer. However, if I bring one more more massive item into this old house, the whole thing will sink below view and lodge in the basalt beneath.
A short blade sashimi knife is the way to go for me.
They have a single bevel, in either left or right hand.
A western beveled knife usually has 2 levels meeting in the middle of the blade, where the Japanese blades slice very evenly down the length of the cut because of the single bevel. Designed specifically for slicing thin even pieces off the end of whatever you're cutting
They have a single bevel, in either left or right hand.
A western beveled knife usually has 2 levels meeting in the middle of the blade, where the Japanese blades slice very evenly down the length of the cut because of the single bevel. Designed specifically for slicing thin even pieces off the end of whatever you're cutting
I'm having the same problem, with a safe full of boomsticks, crates of surplus ammo and cases of mason jars all stacked in one corner of the house. I fully expect to come home one day and find the opposite corner up in the air!
(optical illusion. Look at the trees. Pic actually taken on angle)
This is my plug cutter, there are many like it, but this one is mine.
I use a Kuhn Rikon mini cleaver (about 7 inches long) that cost £10.
I got the idea from watching a YouTube video of Glynn Quelch (former owner of GQ Tobaccos) discussing the various cuts of tobacco and how to prepare them. He used one in the video and I thought if it was good enough for him it would do for me, so far its worked a treat and obviously doesn't take up any space.
I would love one of those antique plug cutters though.
Anyway here's a pic of the mini cleaver:
When I'm away from home I use my Rodgers gentleman's pipe knife. Which makes me a gentleman obviously.
I got the idea from watching a YouTube video of Glynn Quelch (former owner of GQ Tobaccos) discussing the various cuts of tobacco and how to prepare them. He used one in the video and I thought if it was good enough for him it would do for me, so far its worked a treat and obviously doesn't take up any space.
I would love one of those antique plug cutters though.
Anyway here's a pic of the mini cleaver:
When I'm away from home I use my Rodgers gentleman's pipe knife. Which makes me a gentleman obviously.
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I don't deal with plugs often, but since I had mentioned in another thread I was thinking of using a skiving knife to cut them, I decided to actually try it.
I'm impressed:
I can slice them any thickness I want all the way to paper thin with minimal effort. I just have to make sure the non-beveled edge is towards the plug and that the knife is perpendicular to the cutting board.
These knifes don't come with an actual sheath, but with a plastic cover which the knife itself can end up slicing easily. So, a leather sheath will have to be made for them.
Hey, you wanted something that looked interesting, that was cheap, and didn't take up space, right? ☺
Craft Sha 36mm Japanese Traditional Lethercraft Skiver & Utility Leather Knife | Goods Japan | Japanese Leathercraft Tools, Home & Garden, PMC Art Clay, Wood Carving Tools, Home Decor, Knives & More! - https://www.goodsjapan.com/craft-sha-36mm-japanese-traditional-lethercraft-skiver-utility-leather-knife/a-19138
Might not be your cup of tea, but I think I really want one of these exclusively for tobacco now. They come very sharp and the steel is good quality. Still, doesn't hurt to strop them regularly. And even the best steel will eventually need to be introduced to Arkansas Soft and Arkansas Hard.
I'm impressed:
I can slice them any thickness I want all the way to paper thin with minimal effort. I just have to make sure the non-beveled edge is towards the plug and that the knife is perpendicular to the cutting board.
These knifes don't come with an actual sheath, but with a plastic cover which the knife itself can end up slicing easily. So, a leather sheath will have to be made for them.
Hey, you wanted something that looked interesting, that was cheap, and didn't take up space, right? ☺
Craft Sha 36mm Japanese Traditional Lethercraft Skiver & Utility Leather Knife | Goods Japan | Japanese Leathercraft Tools, Home & Garden, PMC Art Clay, Wood Carving Tools, Home Decor, Knives & More! - https://www.goodsjapan.com/craft-sha-36mm-japanese-traditional-lethercraft-skiver-utility-leather-knife/a-19138
Might not be your cup of tea, but I think I really want one of these exclusively for tobacco now. They come very sharp and the steel is good quality. Still, doesn't hurt to strop them regularly. And even the best steel will eventually need to be introduced to Arkansas Soft and Arkansas Hard.
Opinel here, but not a major plug or cake slicer.
Now, a new problem, and not the mold, covered in another thread. The brick of Pirate Kake is four years old, and feels like particle board! But it still has reasonable moisture, ca. 55% RH. A plug cutter would be idea, but I also have a hacksaw and a Sawzall somewhere.
Now, a new problem, and not the mold, covered in another thread. The brick of Pirate Kake is four years old, and feels like particle board! But it still has reasonable moisture, ca. 55% RH. A plug cutter would be idea, but I also have a hacksaw and a Sawzall somewhere.
I just use the long seraded bread knife that came with my set of kitchen knives. Nothing special but works great. Saws right through it.
I have enjoyed following this thread as it gives me more things to try with my knives. But for all my plugs I just tear a chunk off by hand and rub it out. Ropes get the cigar cutter. I will try a knife next time. I am thinking my S30V Buck will be perfect for this task.
Small 7 inch Ulu knife from Alaskan Knife works does just fine since I switched to it from a straight razor a few years ago. They also sell a sharpener designed for the blade, which I have had to use once or twice in maybe two years, much less often than I had to sharpen the razor. But I just shave off what I need for a bowl or two and rub it out. I have never worried about cutting into precise coins, exact flakes, folding and stuffing, burping and belching, etc. But a really sharp pocket knife works fine, too.
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