Best pattern knife, Little King Goods or Kemovan Craft Tools? [REVIEW]
Are you looking for a good versatile knife for leatherwork? Did you see the knives by Kemovan Craft Tools on Etsy and Little King Supply Co from YouTube and wonder if the premium knife worth the extra cash?
This review will help you decide which is the best for you!
TL,DR:
Both knives are amazing for the price so your budget may be the only thing you need to know to decide which knife is right for you.
I will however assume you know how to sharpen your blades - if this is not the case then don’t bother with either knife and get a box cutter and some replaceable blades instead.
What is a pattern knife and why is it a great option?
The term pattern knife does not refer to a specific type of knife, blade shape, width or length. Instead it refers to, as the name may have lead you to understand, a specific use: cutting out shapes and precise pieces from stock materials.
This means that, instead of conforming to a standard in size or form, it has to be able to cut precisely and accurately. This in turn means it needs to have a sharp and (most importantly) rigid cutting edge that comes to a fine point - it can therefore come in many different shapes, or use different materials for the blade and handle while still performing the base job of a pattern cutting knife.
In leathercraft this will mean that you have a knife that is precise while also highly versatile, able to cut through both thin and thick leathers, performing small or longer cuts.
Yes, you probably could use one in your arsenal of tools!
A bit of context
Who are they?
Both of these names are well-nown throughout the leather working world for very different reasons and, while both promote the craft in different ways, they offer two knives with the same exact proportions and use.
Kemovan Craft Tools
On the opposite side of the ring we have Kemovan Craft Tools, a Chinese company specializing in offering the highest-quality possible entry level tools. Their catalog is way more diverse, offering a huge array of leatherworking tools and can be found mostly on Etsy, Ali Express and their own website.
I own one of their French skivers and their pattern knife which are both amazing quality for the price and perfect for those wanted good tools on a budget.
Little King Supply Co. (aka. Little King Goods)
Little King Goods is possibly the top leatherwork youtuber to follow if you’re getting into this craft. Ryan lives in Ontario in Canada and his videos are very informative, helpful, fun and quite simply great pieces of video work in their own right. His YouTube channel has gained a very envious half a million followers and he grew to fame making great quality leather goods. Today he also has his own line of premium yet affordable leather tools under the name of Little King Supply Co. which is sold online alongside a wide variety of patterns on his website.
I own an edge beveler and the aforementioned pattern knife from Little King Supply Co. and am happy to report that both are top notch quality and well worth the investment.
“Our goal is to provide high quality tools and supplies at a great price without compromising quality.”
Ryan Savin - Little King Goods
The Pattern Knife by Kemovan Craft Goods
Specifications
The pattern knife by Kemovan Craft is made of a 9cr18 steel blade that is slotted into a brass insert which is itself dove-tailed to a wood handle. The knife I have weighs in at 38grams.
The steel choice should provide a sharp and strong blade that will work great for most applications. It’s a good choice for this type of knife and will need little maintenance as it is a stainless steel - it will need some regular sharpening however. The blade can be removed by unscrewing two tiny screws that are set in the brass portion of the handle. The blade is in no danger of falling out.
The dovetail between the two handle materials is clean and well executed, and adds a nice level of detail in a somewhat plain knife otherwise.
Feel and cutting power
In had the wooden handle feels very comfortable and light, well sanded and nicely rounded to fit comfortably in your hand. The wood looks great and the overall knife has a distinctly classy look to it when combined with the brass.
The lightness of the knife allows a certain amount of fluidity in your movements which could be a bonus if you are cutting very thin and intricate patterns.
Kemovan Craft Goods pattern knife review
For the price, this knife is an absolute bargain and will provide you with tons of cutting power for a very long time. The only downside is the need for regular stropping and sharpening to keep that edge razor sharp.
PRO TIP: keep your blade razor sharp by stropping it before and after each use
Both of these knives are sharp out of the box and both of them will stay razor sharp if you know how to sharpen them.
The Pattern Knife by Little King Supply Co
Specifications
The pattern knife by Little King Goods Co is just two parts: a solid (and I mean SOLID) brass handle and a D2 steel blade.
The blade slides into the handle and is locked securely with 2 screws - it’s not coming out any time soon but is replaceable if needed. The D2 steel is one of the most highly-requested steels for a knife for it’s harness, enabling the blade to retain a sharp edge for a very long time. This blade will only need to be stropped lightly between uses to ensure you keep it razor sharp.
The brass handle is spectacular, a single piece of brass and very heavy at 148grams. Moreover, this material develops a very sought-after patina with time that will be unique to you!
It’s a one-of-a-kind knife that will (on paper at least) impress by it’s materials, build quality and longevity.
Feel and cutting power
This knife by Little King Supply Co is a beast at very nearly 150 grams, and you’ll certainly feel it in your hand - though the rounded corners make it comfortable and easy to use. Combined with the D2 steel blade, if sharpened correctly that is, the knife will easily cut through thin and thick materials and provide you with a clear sens of confidence and trust that this knife will always match your skills in performance.
While sharpening this knife I could feel it slide over my sharpening stones more than other tools I own: a great indication of the steel’s hardness and a good omen for the longevity of the blade’s cutting power.
Though heavy, it feels natural in your hand and you will soon forget the extra weight. However if you’re using your knife all day long and don’t have very strong arms this could be a downside to consider.
Little King Supply Co pattern knife review
Lets talk about the elephant in the room: this is as expensive knife.
For a fraction of the price you could purchase a box cutter and tons of replaceable blades and have all the cutting power you would need for decades.
BUT… people looking to purchase this knife aren’t just looking for cutting power. They’re looking for a high-quality tool to add to their arsenal that they can cherish for decades and maybe even hand down to the future generations. They’re looking for a tool that will not only offer the best possible cut available but also make a statement while performing the cut.
You’re not just buying a knife, you’re buying a way of life.
Is that way of life for everyone? No. But it sure looks great!
PRO TIP:
Did you know brass (a copper alloy) is naturally antimicrobial?
When cleaned regularly, frequently touched surfaces manufactured from copper alloy materials will continuously kill bacteria that cause infections.
Pro tip: Did you know brass (a copper alloy) is naturally antimicrobial?
When cleaned regularly, frequently touched surfaces manufactured from copper alloy materials will continuously kill bacteria that cause infections.
Which pattern knife to chose?
The main criteria in my opinion that will influence your choice is your budget: both knives are excellent for the price and perform more or less identically.
Choose the Kemovan pattern knife if:
you’re on a budget
you want something light
you want stainless steel
you don’t like the look of raw brass
Choose the Little King knife if:
money isn’t an issue
you want the superior cutting power of D2 steel
you often cut thick materials
you like holding a beefy tool in your hand
you need a brass knife to go with your Sinabroks or KSBlad brass stitching irons
Do drop me a comment to let me know if this review helped you in your purchase!