Hi Richard,
I found out at SNAG last year that Allcraft in New York carries the
Vallorbe blades. I used to use these blades when I still lived in
Holland and loved using them. The moment I saw Allcraft had them I
bought a bunch of them, because I have not been able to buy blades
that are of the same quality in the US.
Hope this helps.
Joost
In response to someone looking for a U.S. supplier of Glardon
Vallorbe sawblades, I did a little poking around. I didn’t find a
U.S. outlet, but did find a few places that sell them, and a few
interesting tidbits, a most interesting one being this, from Regal
Castings in New Zealand:
"Vallorbe Granit Platinum Sawblades Often referred to as “Platinum
Saw Blades” these premium quality blades share the features of the
Glardon Vallorbe Super Jewellers Saw Blades, however the Granit
blades undergo extra processing to produce a harder, sharper and
longer wearing saw blade. Ideally suited for Gold and Platinum work,
these blades will also handle the harder metals such as Stainless
Steel or Titanium.
The other very interesting thing I found (on the envelope of some
blades I have been using ) is that Pike Platinum blades are made
in… Vallorbe, Switzerland. File under ‘It’s A Small World’
Dar
I saw that someone found the Glardon Vallorbe blades at Allcraft
(website up very soon allcraftusa.com ), so I poked around and found
their phone number. I called up just now and was informed that they
did start to carry some a couple of years ago but didn’t get much
interest in them. I quickly moved on to what I was cutting and the
blades I was using, so I didn’t actually find out if they had any
left ( “I don’t think we have any” or “I’m not sure we have any” is
what I recall…it was SO five minutes ago, and a moot point
anyway). Moot, because I was informed that for cutting tool steel,
the Pike Platinum I’ve been using is indeed the finest blade in all
the land.
Does anyone know if Jesse Brennan is still around?. I haven’t heard
from him in quite a while. He did some looking into where blades are
made, and he told me about Pike Platinum a few years ago, and
something about how there were just a small number of Swiss makers,
whose blades were sold under a larger number of brand names.
Also, in case I wasn’t clear enough, it is well established in my
little world, from a few miles of sawing, that for cutting 0-1 tool
steel, the IS a significant difference in blades. I haven’t used
Antelope, or Herkules, for a long time, because several years ago I
found them not particularly any more useful than Yellow Dagger, for
the money.
I saw a blurb the other day that Herkules uses a harder temper than
most, which makes them more brittle. This would be good for folks
with a light hand and soft touch (so the blurb says), but the idea
that this ‘touch’ is directly a function of skill went out my window
when I started cutting dies in tool steel. A light touch will get
you a few less broken blades on dies, but a lot less cutting done.
There’s no shortage of skill in pushing blades to their limit in
order to get the work done, but not past it, and as often as not,
blades begin to go dull on tool steel, as they do break. I did snag
a few dozen Herkules in 4/0 size yesterday, so I’ll try them again,
and report.
So… Pike Platuinum… I find them significantly longer lasting
than any other brand I’ve used, (oh, and btw, they’re made by ‘Scies
Miniatures’ in Vallorbe Switzerland) and today was told by someone
who sounded very certain that they were the best for the job. Case
closed, as far as I’m concerned. I have been rather surprised at
some (no blades are 100% consistent)of these PP’s, which go for an
average of about 50% longer than my old, faithful, Yellows, I’d
guess.
Dar
Hi Dar,
I spoke with the International Sales Manager for the self same Scies
Miniatures SA. (Also Grobet) a month or two back. They’re based in
Valorbe, Switzerland.
The conversation wasn’t entirely focused on jeweler’s sawblades, but
obviously, given what Knew Concepts does, that came up. Turns out
there are only two sawblade makers left outside of India and China.
Scies/Grobet, and somebody in Germany, and from what I understand,
the German guy is looking to retire.
From what he said, most of the blades they make are essentially
identical. I know they make the Pike blades. I believe Antilope and
Herkules come from the German company. (We were talking to them about
Pegas woodworking blades, which they also make.) I’ve been using Pike,
Antilope, Herkules, and Rio’s Laser blades for years, so I don’t know
how the rest of them handle any more.
FWIW,
Brian
I spoke with the International Sales Manager for the self same Scies Miniatures SA. (Also Grobet) a month or two back. They're based in Valorbe, Switzerland. [snip]
Thanks for that info, Brian. Given the difference in price range and
performance between different Swiss blades, I just can’t accept that
gut’s statement that all the blades they make are essentially
identical. It would be different if the prices were the same, and
way different (meaning I could accept that statement as being
accurate) if the performances were also very similar. The Pike
Platinum are quite a bit more expensive than the Yellow Daggers, and
correspondingly longer lasting.
I did try a few Herkules 4/0 yesterday and was pleased. I think I’ll
give them another chance, and some of the Lasers. I do need blades
that corner well, and the Platinums just aren’t the best for that in
tool steel.