Anvil blades are even more likely to crush the cut end. Some grafters like it because it is black, and provides heat to aid callus formation . However, in some climates and situations, such as spring in the Pacific Northwest, it absorbs too much heat. It shares the disadvantages of Polyethylene strips in that it doesn't degrade and can cause girdling. They range in size from a blade a few inches long to something resembling a machete, which is used for making cleft grafts in thick trunk or branches.
Most grafting knives are similar in size and shape to a paring knife.
Knives made especially for grafting may be available at a local garden center, or through one of the catalogs on our list. Investing in a good knife is worth it, especially if you are only beginning, as nothing interferes with learning like frustration. In the classic grafting knife, only one side ofthe blade is beveled. This is to help the grafter to cut across the grain. It is especially important to be able to do this in the whip and tongue graft .