So I am ready to purchase a drag knife this week. I am very interested in your Donek Knife, but I need some help on getting past the price. I have found three brands of drag knives online and the price spread is huge. Maybe some of you can help me with this.
I will be cutting thermoplastic laminate sheeting .030 thick.
Here is what I have found.
http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/prod...nc-drag-knife/
This rockcliff drag knife is the least expensive for only $85 and that makes trying it almost my first choice. The two downsides I could possibly see is that the blade looks to be cutting on center and not behind the spindle. Would this make decent turns? Also the price of replacement blades is 3 for $29. Does anybody know how much longer these blades could last since they are carbide? Other positive note is they will accept a return on this knife if I am unsatisfied with it performance.
Next is the widgetworks knife.
http://www.widgetworksunlimited.com/...inyl_knife.htm
This one is $149.99 and has its limitations to 1/32" thick. Replacement blades are $13.99 and the blade also seems to be on center. I'm not sure that I am really even considering this one because of its limitation on thickness.
And of course the Donek Drag Knife.
http://donektools.com/
This one appeals to me most for a few reasons. Blades are cheap to replace, it seems to have better rotating action with the blade behind the spindle a bit, has the software for adding corner actions to tool path, and will cut thicker material. I just am having a hard time getting by the price.