Who makes the very best craft knives ?

Emp_Fab

I’m sick of cheap, aluminium-handled, never-grip-the-blade-properly, crap-quality-blade craft knife sets.

I want something that will last a lifetime and have stainless blades etc, preferably in a nice wooden case with a crushed velvet lining.

Who are the Rolls-Royce of small knife manufacturers?

SimonC

Can’t go wrong with Swann Morton.

ICBM

X-Acto.

stephen.wood125

+1 for Swann Morton, if they are good enough for the folk who hack people to bits for shits and giggles a living, they are more than good enough for us.

Philtre

ICBM said:

X-Acto.

This.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/X-Acto-Z-Number-1-Knife/dp/B005KRSWM6

Nitefly

X-acto number 5:

http://www.xacto.com/products/cutting-solutions/knives/detail/X3205

I've had mine for over 20 years.

BluesyDave

Blue spruce.
https://www.classichandtools.com/acatalog/Blue-Spruce-Toolworks-Marking-Knives.html

lasermonkey

I've been using Swann Morton Retractaway Premium craft knives for many years now. By far my favourite scalpel handle with the added advantage of that it can't roll, due to its rectangular section.

usedtobe

I’m a Swann Morton guy!

wolsnah

Do any of these come as a nice presentation set, or are they all just individual items? I've had a quick look and can't find a nice set for any of those mentioned and I thought such a thing would make a nice gift for my better half who is into her craft things. The Blue Spruce one is nice but she'd think I was up to something if I her bought her something that pricey.

Kalimna

Gonna have to ask what they are to he used for?
For marking out and cutting thin veneer, a Swann Morton with a no.11 blade is very difficult to beat. 
For carving, then something heavier duty like an x-acto might do the biz, or a custom made whittling knife in damascus steel with *insert favourite fancy wood* handle from any number of artisans should suffice.
I have a range of Blue Spruce tools, including Dave's marking knife and single bevel left and right handed 'craft' knives. They are lovely indeed. In fact roughly 10 years ago my wife got a diamond engagement ring, i got a set of Blue Spruce chisels. 

Adam

Emp_Fab

Nitefly said:

X-acto number 5:

We know a song (almost) about that don’t we boys and girls ?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EK_LN3XEcnw

vale

SimonC said:

Can’t go wrong with Swann Morton.

+1. if they are good enough for surgeons they are more than good enough for scraping the polshy oily goo out from between your frets once a year. easily worth the premium price imo.

ICBM

wolsnah said:

Do any of these come as a nice presentation set, or are they all just individual items? I've had a quick look and can't find a nice set for any of those mentioned and I thought such a thing would make a nice gift for my better half who is into her craft things. The Blue Spruce one is nice but she'd think I was up to something if I her bought her something that pricey.

https://elementgames.co.uk/paints-hobby-and-scenery/AA/other-airbrush-items/x-acto/x-acto-basic-hobby-tool-set-boxed?d=22&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr5bUuuf_2wIVS7DtCh0Q2QH6EAQYAiABEgIImvD_BwE

57Deluxe

lasermonkey

I should also point out that I'm still using an X-Acto handle which I bought when I was sixteen, back in 1982. It's still going strong after a *lot* of use.