Where to purchase blades -- Let the arguing begin :)

[James E. Welch]

So, I know I'm probably opening up a can of worms here. And I also know that this subject is highly relative to preference and opinion. But that being said, I'm wondering where everyone is ordering blades from and if there's really much difference between Pegas and Flying Dutchman. The reason I ask is that I was about to click purchase on some blades from Bearwoods  (I've placed several orders before) and this time it struck me that the shipping was a little high so I thought I'd see what else was out there and compare. I went to Mike's Workshop and the blades are around the same price but shipping is free. The difference is Mike's is Flying Dutchman and Bear woods is Pegas. 

 

Come out of your corners swinging but let's have a fair fight. LOL

[Sycamore67]

There are literally hundreds of posts about blades.  Some like Pegas and others FD.  You will get lots of opinions.  I do not look at the costs but buy what works for me.  I use what works best for me and the type of scrolling I do.

[kmmcrafts]

Under the resources tab at the top you'll see "suppliers" There is a long list..  

[Matthew Simmons]

I prefer the Flying Dutchman blades because Bill Nighy packs each set himself.

[Bill WIlson]

You probably won't bring anyone to blows with this topic, but you may get a lot of varied opinions.

I usually buy my blades from Wooden Teddy Bear (Olson and Flying Dutchman).  They will let you mix & match sizes within the same brand, if you buy a gross, to get a better price, (maybe mix brands as well, not sure).

I've watched the trends of blade preferences over many years.  When I started scrolling some 25+ years ago, I used Olson.  Guys in my scroll saw club started migrating to Flying Dutchman about 15-20 years ago.  The past few years have seen a similar move to Pegas.  I did notice a fair difference between Olson and FD, at least in some of the sizes/types.  I've tried a few Pegas and frankly haven't noticed a big improvement in speed, durability or cut quality over FD, but that is only my general impression with a very limited sample size.  Many others swear by them.  It is very much a matter of personal preference, as I am not aware of any sort of controlled testing that has been done that would objectively prove one was better than another.

[Norm Fengstad]

I use both pegas and niqua from Garnet Hall (Sawbird) as he is local to me ( Saskatchewan, Canada)and shipping costs are reasonable, then so is Denny at Artcrafters as he also sells Pegas and has reasonable shipping and is a fellow scroller. I think Niqua blades are made in Germany they seem more flexible, Pegas sharpness lasts a bit longer but are more brittle. Bearwoods are a good supplier as well but bigger companies have higher overhead. 

[James E. Welch]

I went with Flying Dutchman and free shipping. We shall see if there's a difference that I can notice. 

[Scrappile]

I use to buy FDs from Mikes then wooden Teddy bear took that over, so I use to figure it out which one I would say between those two.  Mikes or Wooden Teddy bear, because they each had different pricing. Then I just decided it was not worth the effort to save a dollar and just started going straight to WTB. that is where I order all my FD blades, and Artcrafters for my Pegas blades and my drill bits.  I use both brands.  

[James E. Welch]

4 minutes ago, Scrappile said:

I use to buy FDs from Mikes then wooden Teddy bear took that over, so I use to figure it out which one I would say between those two.  Mikes or Wooden Teddy bear, because they each had different pricing. Then I just decided it was not worth the effort to save a dollar and just started going straight to WTB. that is where I order all my FD blades, and Artcrafters for my Pegas blades and my drill bits.  I use both brands.  

Thanks! This was a super helpful comment. Exactly what I was asking about and wanted to hear. 

I ended up going with Mike's this time around but I'll keep what you said in mind for the next order, makes a lot of sense. 

[dgman]

Just some clarification, Flying Dutchman are rebranded Niqua blades. So, if you use FD, you are using Niqua. 
A few years before Mike from Mike’s Workshop died, he sold his business to The Wooden Teddy Bear with the stipulation they followed his business model of low prices and free shipping. So, if you order from Mikesworkshop.com site, you get free shipping for blades. If you order from WTB, you pay for shipping. 
As for Pegas blades, Denny at Art Crafters has the best price and fastest service. 
I use both brands plus Olson blades with FD UR blades the most.

[James E. Welch]

3 minutes ago, dgman said:

Just some clarification, Flying Dutchman are rebranded Niqua blades. So, if you use FD, you are using Niqua. 
A few years before Mike from Mike’s Workshop died, he sold his business to The Wooden Teddy Bear with the stipulation they followed his business model of low prices and free shipping. So, if you order from Mikesworkshop.com site, you get free shipping for blades. If you order from WTB, you pay for shipping. 
As for Pegas blades, Denny at Art Crafters has the best price and fastest service. 
I use both brands plus Olson blades with FD UR blades the most.

Awesome information, I didn't know any of this. Thanks !! 

[Matthew Simmons]

A quick comparison. 6 UR #1 blades today from MWS to NYC(ish) is 22.68+0=22.68, while the same order from WTB is 25.86+3.95=29.81. So in this case the blades *and* the shipping are more expensive WTB vs MWS. Wonder how long that'll last.

I was surprised to see that neither charge sales tax. I thought everyone added sales tax for out of state orders these days.

[rafairchild2]

I buy FD Ultra Reverse from wooden Teddy bear, but get them off Amazon too, as I can get them in one day vs cheaper from Mikes but slower.

I usually buy a gross of #5 UR (my go-to-blade for most of my work), and also a gross of their sampler UR pack, so I have small to large.  I have a few other brands I tried out, but just find the control and smoothness of the cut makes me go with FD.

But I am paying for the speed by a lot.

https://amzn.to/44t1NCo - #5 UR $31

https://amzn.to/44rkCFY - Variety Pak UR $28

Image below, you can see my two packs handy-dandy on the wall next to where I scroll.

Edited July 5, 2023 by rafairchild2

[Dak0ta52]

Guess I'll add my 2 cents. I started scrolling using Flying Dutchman blades from one of their variety packs. I didn't really notice that they were bad but I did notice the blades had a tendency to drift and I've since learned that was due to the production method the blades were made. I kept seeing comments about the Pegas blades and on my next order I tried them through artcraftersonline.com. Denny at artcraftersonline.com typically announces a discount in his monthly newsletter. I found the Pegas blades cut straighter than the Flying Dutchman as well as, in my opinion, being sharper and longer lasting. Denny is also very prompt with his shipments and if there is any concerns with the product once you receive the shipment, Denny will take care of it pronto. (However I've never had an issue with anything I've ordered from Artcrafters.)

I am currently working on a project that requires extra small blades. Pegas only makes blades down to a 2/0 and Flying Dutchman has a 3/0. I ordered several dozen of the 3/0 from the Wooden Teddy Bear and when I received them, the blades were bent from being folded inside the envelope. I was able to straighten them but I've noticed the blades have been breaking in the spot where they were bent more often that what I feel would be normal.

I don't like to speak badly about any business and this may have been a fluke for Wooden Teddy Bear. I've ordered patterns from them in the past with no issues. In fact, I had also ordered a pattern with the same order as the blades.

As mentioned in posts reacting to your forum question, the blade of choice is what works best for you. If, in my opinion, I have a blade that is going to last me longer and cut truer for me to product a better project, the minimal difference in cost is not a big issue. At the time of this post you had remarked that you had already order you blades. My I encourage you to at least give Pegas blades a try. They also have a sample pack I'm sure Denny would help you with.

[kmmcrafts]

Since I was headed out the door earlier I'll finish my reply, LOL.

I have quite a variety of blades I've gathered over the years.. I use for the most part Pegas blades.. there are certain projects that I use Flying Dutchman and or Olsen blades... I get my Pegas blades from Denny.. Do not care for Bearwood at all and try to not use them if I don't have too, but that's just a personal thing that I have my reasons why.

FD blades I get from Mikesworkshop.. sure miss Mike as his customer service and experience would outdo any other seller to date past or present.. he would send free of charge a 2 blade sample of any blade he sold for you to try. 

Olsen blade I currently just buy packs at the box stores since my use is minimal now days, and the sellers I used to get them from are no longer there or the one is just very poor customer service so I stopped ordering from them. 

I also use Super Sharps from PSwood.. they are awesome blades for certain types of projects and are pricey blades so I limit my usage of them if possible. 

For a time I ordered my blades from Bushton MFG. because they sold Flying Dutchman, Olsen,, and Pegas and were cheaper than anyone else for a while but last time I needed blades they was out of stock on all the ones I needed.. Thinking maybe they was getting out of the business of blade sales possible as they was never out of stock and some of the styles / sizes was completely gone from the site.   

[James E. Welch]

2 hours ago, Matthew Simmons said:

A quick comparison. 6 UR #1 blades today from MWS to NYC(ish) is 22.68+0=22.68, while the same order from WTB is 25.86+3.95=29.81. So in this case the blades *and* the shipping are more expensive WTB vs MWS. Wonder how long that'll last.

I was surprised to see that neither charge sales tax. I thought everyone added sales tax for out of state orders these days.

This is what I noticed too. Not sure if I said it right but that's what I meant. I'd been just ordering but today I decided to look and it was cheaper. 

[kmmcrafts]

3 hours ago, Matthew Simmons said:

A quick comparison. 6 UR #1 blades today from MWS to NYC(ish) is 22.68+0=22.68, while the same order from WTB is 25.86+3.95=29.81. So in this case the blades *and* the shipping are more expensive WTB vs MWS. Wonder how long that'll last.

I was surprised to see that neither charge sales tax. I thought everyone added sales tax for out of state orders these days.

 

1 hour ago, James E. Welch said:

This is what I noticed too. Not sure if I said it right but that's what I meant. I'd been just ordering but today I decided to look and it was cheaper. 

This as far as I know has always been the case.. MWS has always been a little cheaper than WTB even though WTB bought out MWS and they are the same in one now.. they seem to operate as two separate entities. 

As for sales tax.. it is my understanding that sellers do not have to collect and report sales tax to only their own state "unless" they are selling a certain amount of $$ in said particular state. For instance I sell on etsy and etsy being a large business is required collect and report it on my behalf.. however my own website doesn't necessarily have to charge sales tax because I'm nowhere near the ( I think it's ) 10,000 per particular state in sales to have them make me collect and remit..  Etsy and those larger sites do a lot of business transactions in each state and they are the payment processor so they are required to.. I may be wrong on all this and someone may know more about this.. It's just what I remember being told when they started making sellers / marketplaces collect for states other than your own state. Just because it wasn't collected from the seller doesn't mean you're not supposed to report it yourself under the use tax I think is where that's at.. tax forms used to have a question line to report it similar to "if you purchased items out of state but had it delivered to your state" etc..people weren't reporting it and more and more online business going on the states were missing out and wanted their share, LOL.. 

[scrollerpete]

I buy Pegas from Denny here and FD from Mikes workshop eventhoug that Mikes past away awhile back his service was superb and it is cheaper than anybody else.

[Scrappile]

The real answer is purchase them wherever and whatever you want,,, it is all a personal choice!

[jamieline]

Don't want to bash anyone here. I started scrolling and using FD blades from Mikesworkshop. Had no issues. Still have a wide variety of FD blades. Started using Pegas blades. I mainly use the MG blades. Have used the spiral blades and even some metal cutting blades. I only order from Denny at Artcrafters online. Have no complaints and he has been great. I just like the Pegas blades.

Like others have mentioned, it can be a personal choice and the best choice is the one you like and use.   

[BadBob]

I buy Pegas blades from Denny at Art Crafters.

I started with Olson, then Flying Dutchman, and then tried Pegas blades. I still have a few Olson blades and many Flying Dutchman blades that I occasionally use. Switching back to the older blades occasionally to try and use them up. It is possible that the way a particular blade performs for me is connected with what I am doing with them. For me, the Pegas blades are the best.

[BadBob]

There is no such thing as free shipping.

[James E. Welch]

40 minutes ago, BadBob said:

There is no such thing as free shipping.

I have an Etsy shop... I know this all too well. Shipping is calculated into the cost and that's fine, I just look at the total cost when comparing a "free shipping" product to a paid shipping product. 

In this instance Mike's with "free shipping" was cheaper than Bear Woods with shipping added separately. The difference being one was FD and the other Pegas. I know that it's largely a preference thing, I even mentioned that in the original post. I was just looking for a good discussion on price versus quality versus customer service and I wasn't disappointed. You guys delivered just that. I learned a lot from this discussion and appreciate everyone's input. 

[barb.j.enders]

I haven't read all the comments.  Kinda stopped after you mentioned the shipping cost from Bearwood.  That is one of the reasons I won't deal with Bearwood.  The other was, when I did order blades, and only blades, I had called to inquire whether they would just put them in a regular envelope and post that way.  I had just received a similar shipment from Mike's Workshop.  The employee on the phone said it was not feasible and that I didn't know what I was talking about.  I now purchase from Garnet Hall at Sawbird.  Always happy with his service.  If I was in the states, it would be Denny.

[crupiea]

I only use two types of blades.  Tried a bunch and only like two kinds.

First is flying dutchman which I buy from Mikes or wooden teddy bear now. 

Second is jewelers blades which i buy from amazon.  These are super cheap on amazon, like $20 a gross if that.  They work great and have tons of teeth but no reverse teeth so the back of the wood will be a mess.   

Edited July 7, 2023 by crupiea