Lead knives with sickle-shaped blades are specifically designed for lead came work.
Characteristics
The rounded blade is designed to be held vertically and rocked to cut various tough materials, such as plastic and lead. The pointed edges on the blade can reach tight spaces.
Most sickle-shaped blade lead knives have a metal inlay at the bottom of the handle, which works as a light hammer.
What are sickle-shaped blade lead knives used for?
The sickle-shaped blade of these lead knives is designed to cut lead came, used in stained glass and leadlights. Because the blade is rocked as it cuts, it cuts gradually through the tough lead without crushing it.
The pointed edges of the blade can be used to manipulate lead came around glass pieces of different shapes in came glass work, as well as to chip away old putty or cement from finished panels and windows. The blade can also be used to pry open lead came channels to fit glass pieces in, or remove old panels for repair or restoration.
The metal inlay at the bottom of the handle gives weight to the blade when it’s cutting. It can also be used to shape lead came around glass pieces and tap the glass into place. When creating came glass panels, horseshoe nails are used to hold pieces in place as it’s constructed – the metal inlay can knock these nails into place without needing a separate tool.
