how to achieve round edges

[TheTrooper]

Hello fellowers,

could anyone of you could be so nice and explain me how to achieve round edges. When I bevel the edges normally I get something like an 45° angle, but how to get them round ??

Regards,

Marcel

[JohnD]

I'm not an expert, but I think the size of the edge beveler makes a difference. If you use a small enough edge beveler, just enough to take the corners off and then use a rounded profile burnisher you should end up with the desired result. Someone who knows more about this will probably post more info soon enough. Hope this helps though.

good luck,

John

[JustWakinUp]

i use a small edger then burnish with the round nylon edge slicker. I like the results and it give a decent round edge

[TheTrooper]

THX a lot guys. Why I had this idea not by myself ?!? All the needed tools I have a home

I´ll try it and post about the results. Maybe I´ve to get a smaller edger, but I´ll try the one (I´m just starting ) I have at first.

Cheers,

Marcel

[bruce johnson]

Marcel,

The easiest way to get round edges is to use round bottom edgers. They cut in a round profile to start with. The readily available ones cut a flat profile, like the TLF and common edgers from CS Osborne. They cut a flat cut much like mini french edgers. The old time makers made round bottom edgers - Gomph and others. Today there are a few tool makers making them. Most all of the Bisonette pattern edgers will cut in a round profile. Three makers that make round bottom edgers are Ron from Ron's Tools (www.ronstools.com) and Jeremiah Watt (www.ranch2arena.com) has two styles - the Vizzard edgers and round edgers. Bob Douglas makes round bottom edgers too. All are good tools in my hands.

[Romey]

  bruce johnson said:

Marcel,

All are good tools in my hands.

Ahhhh thats my problem!

[Don101]

Yes Bruce you beet me to it i was using to start with a tandy edger and no matter how long i would polish i wouldnt be round, then i got the osbourne round edge beveler and ive not looked back since, Don

[esantoro]

I've been using the tandy edgers, the rounded ones and the flat cutting ones. the flat cutters work nicely when joining a bag face edge with a gusset edge . together the result is a nicely rounded burnished edge. IO'm trying to use the tandy edgers to get better at sharpening them.

I'd like to try the osbourne rounded edgers but am unsure which ones those are. hidecrafters has two types of osborne edgers: the best quality edger, and the common edger.

Ed

[bruce johnson]

Ed,

I like the open front round bottom edger. I am not sure if HC carries them, but would suspect they are dealing with the Osborne line. Nothing against Osbornes, because I have and use some. They are a good general line and across the board make good tools. There are individual tool makers that may make a particular tool better than Osborne though. Like has been said, Osborne sells you the makings of a tool. You have to finish the sharpening yourself. For the quality of work you are doing, I think you could justify getting and using better edgers that are more user friendly.

My personal favorites are the open front round edgers. Rons tools sells nice ones and so does Jeremiah Watt. I have had both and other than price, I have very little difference between them. Jeremiah's #1 size is the smallest he now makes and should work for most of your needs. With no toes in front, they will do a slot too, and the blade is "sweepy" enough I like the control. A cinch to sharpen and strop, you are not working down in a slot like other edgers, and they cut a round profile to start with. I have Jeremiah's vizzard pattern edgers also. His and Ron's tools edgers both came ready to go to work.

My wife likes bisonette edgers and played with Bob Douglas' edgers at a show. With the design, you can't cut too deep. They are like edgers with training wheels. Bob has the angle and bend at the tip of the shank figured out. His are the real thing. Because of the design, you can cut on the push or pull stroke. Sharpening bisonettes is a little trickier. You have to make sure you aren't whacking against the opposing edge when you strop. Just something to watch out for. We have Bob's smallest size and the #4 for heavy work. I expect we will fill in sizes next time we see him. You can probably bank that anything from Bob is ready to use straight off too.

Jeremiah's website is www.ranch2arena.com. Ron's is www.ronstools.com. You can buy Bob's tools directly from him (Sheridan, WY) or through Sheridan Leather Outfitters. I have found all of these guys to be easy to deal with directly and helpful advice. Barry King is making hand tools also. I have not played with his, although I should have. If you decide to go with Osbornes, shop around. As a "for instance" - one major leathercraft seller lists the Osborne round knife for $99, Siegels regular price is about half that, and I think it is still on sale for $35 now. Just because the big catalog craft suppliers sell some cheap things cheaply, doesn't mean everything in their catalog is priced in the same manner.

[esantoro]

I love the tools on Ron's website and that he includes a thin rod for sharpening, but I keep thinking that for the price I could buy 10 tandy edgers and experiment with grinding off the toes.

I have realized that rounding the edges is extremely important on my bags, so maybe I'll just take the plunge.

Thanks,

ed