Best Starter Rawhide String Cutter

[cara]

ISO, The best rawhide string cutter, preferably around $300 but open to all options. I have been looking for something similar to the  Hansen String Cutter http://www.hansenstringcutter.com/page_12/Order_The_Hansen_String_Cutter.html and the Vaquero Package https://gfeller.us/product/vaquero-package/ is the closest thing I've found, but it does not have a splitter. 
 

[cara]

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ISO, The best rawhide string cutter, preferably around $300 but open to all options. I have been looking for something similar to the  Hansen String Cutter http://www.hansenstringcutter.com/page_12/Order_The_Hansen_String_Cutter.html and the Vaquero Package https://gfeller.us/product/vaquero-package/ is the closest thing I've found, but it does not have a splitter. 

[bruce johnson]

When you say the best that opens it up some. I don't really know of any braiders that would say "best". It comes down to what you get used to and comfortable with. There are probably at least 10 different makers of string cutters if I thought hard enough here right now. Most braiders trade around string cutters some until they settle on one. Some like one better for rawhide and another for kangaroo or latigo and have a couple. 

First off you mention splitter function. Some of the cutters with built in splitters work OK and some don't without tweaking. The angle that the blade meets the string can vary by depth and that can make a difference. I will just throw this out - I don't have numbers to back this up, but my guess from shop visits and talking is that over half of the braiders I deal with have a dedicated splitter. Usually it is either a Chase pattern splitter or more commonly the tried and true Osborne #86 splitter. A few folks like the little old Tandy splitter that sold for around $100 for rawhide. 

String cutters - There are several makers. I have new ones from Wayne Jueschke with two bars for $500. I also have new ones from Y-knot Lace. The three way Y-Knot cuts string and can bevel 30 and 45 degrees for $230. I have the handheld lace splitter from Y-Knot that runs $230. They work differently but the Y-Knot cutter behaves more like a Hansen, the Jueschke is like the LaceMaster. 

I get used ones through here too. Like I said - braiders tend to trade these around. Haughts, Hansens, Neuberts, LaceMasters, Vaqueros, Budds, Joe Benner, Tim George, JSE, home mades have all been through at times. They never sit long. 

Here is a link to what I've got now - https://brucejohnsonleather.com/products/braiding-and-lacing-tools/lace-cutters