I decided to start a new thread on this topic. It's a continuation of the information here.

I ordered the Flexcut 45 Deg. x 1MM Parting Tool. I've uploaded a few pics for comparison with the Speedball #1 for those interested. I'll also post my initial impressions.

First, the handle. It is different but not too much so. It's also not as large or unwieldy as the online photos suggested (to me at least). Here is a top view of both handles. And here is a side view. The Flexcut is a tad wider in the top view, and it's about the same in profile. This actually works well in practice as it fills your palm. I also like how my guiding fingers are closer to the cutting tip, it provides greater control.

For a comparison of the tips, I used a brand new (unused) Speedball tip and the out-of-the-box Flexcut. Here is a top view of both tips. As you can see the unaltered Speedball has "wings" that project out in front of the cutting V that the Flexcut doesn't have. It's these projections that I filed off of the tip I use most (and I suspect it's those wings that gives FloridaFour fits).
Also, despite both tips being listed by their respective manufacturers as "1mm", the Flexcut is visibly smaller.

Here is a side view of the tips. The most notable difference here is the more severe 'rake' cut on the bottom of the blade. This allows for the gouge to be used at a flatter angle of attack. The advantage being less tearing when using deeper cuts and a better view of the cutting surface while working (again, to me anyway).

And finally, here is a straight on view of the tips. The Flexcut seems to have a sharper V. In my preliminary trials this produced a finer line.

My overall impression is Flex is much sharper out of the box than the Speedball.

Disclaimers:
~Sorry for the bad photography, I was holding the tools with one hand and snapping pics with my iPhone one-handed.
~I have been carving for less than a year, those of you that have been carving for many years may have developed habits that might lead you to have a experience than mine.
~While my Flexcut was noticeably sharper than my new Speedball it may have just been those two blades. Production runs may vary. And while the Flex appears to be a finer tool, you pay more for that machining.

Overall I'm very happy with it. I plan to file down the top even more in essence making it a .5. I'll to update this thread if I do. I'll also try to post an image of my first carve with it.

Thank you very much for this write up. The photos are very helpful!

One pointer I might give for those using Speedball routes, is to take the tip out ofnthe holder and put it in their $2 calligraphy holder. This way, you can hold it right at the neck, and to me, the thin pen shape is easier to maneuver.

But, definitely I like the tip of that Flexcut better!!! Interesting!

Thanks. I like the small tip too. I'd like to try one of these sometime.

I can miniaturize that.

Interesting...I have the 45 deg. x 1.5mm Micro V-Tool and the V is not as sharp as Speedball. I wonder if it's manufacturing variation or that tool is just designed differently. I also got the deep U style which is great for cleaning larger areas. I don't use the V tool very much.

FYI, the picture links are all broken...

FYI, the picture links are all broken...

Remove the "lg" at the end of the URL. The large version gets deleted after a few weeks/months.

Maybe our webmaster can think of a way to forward links to the small version? Not a big deal, but would be helpful.

FYI, the picture links are all broken...

The system breaks the links after a couple of months. You can find them in my photo album, pics 9 - 13:

https://www.atlasquest.com/gallery/viewalbum.php?albumId=4518