correct edger to use

[pete]

I s there a "standard" that one uses to determine the correct edger to use based on the wt. of leather? I use a #1,2 and sometimes 3 for belts, wallets, purses, notebooks. etc. but I don't know if I'm taking off too much or not enough. I get a nice finished, burnished edge but how should one REALLY determine the tool to use? Do you just want to "knock off" the edge or dig in a little with pressure?

Any saddlemakers out there with some help?

pete

[Billy P]

I s there a "standard" that one uses to determine the correct edger to use based on the wt. of leather? I use a #1,2 and sometimes 3 for belts, wallets, purses, notebooks. etc. but I don't know if I'm taking off too much or not enough. I get a nice finished, burnished edge but how should one REALLY determine the tool to use? Do you just want to "knock off" the edge or dig in a little with pressure?

Any saddlemakers out there with some help?

pete

Pete, I am like you. I've often wondered the same thing. When I first started working with leather, I just dove in. No money, no books, and not much sense either. I was working a job and staying in a fog, most of the time anyway, and just didn't know. Now I am still not sure of a standard. I do know that the thicker the leather, the bigger the # edger to use. Most of the time when I use the edger I end up with an almost sharp edge in the middle of the thickness of the belt, purse, or whatever it is that I'm working on. I hope someone can answer this question for both of us. Especially in a way that we can understand really well. Just a few comments for moral support and also to find out myself. Regards Billy P

[MatthewD]

Okay, make that three of us that would need to know this answer.. I have been struggling with this also

[FrankZaharek]

This is from Al Stohlman's "Leathercraft Tools How to use Them, How to Sharpen Them".

#1 for 1 1/2 oz to 3 oz.

#2 for 4 oz to 6 oz.

#3 for 6 oz to 8 oz.

#4 for 8 oz to 10 oz.

#5 for 10 oz and heavier.

These are general guidelines. The main objective is to take off the sharp edge top and bottom so as to create a nice rounded edge. If you use too large an edger you will get a sharp center edge instead of a nice round edge. You'll also find that the rounded edge is much easier to slick and looks much more professional.

The book above is one that should be in every leather workers library. I've had to buy this book 4 times as it seems to keep growing legs and I wouldn't be without it.

[bruce johnson]

While I agree with Frank's suggestions, one factor to consider - these numbers have no standardization. The old Tandy edgers I have bought in sets have been different sizes from newer ones in the same numbers. Osbornes likwewise have been variable. Osborne makes 3 or more different styles of edgers, and each numbering system takes a different amount off in a different cut profile. Horseshoe brand edgers or Ron's Tools edgers are different yet. The numbering sytems are really only applicable within a particular edger by that maker.

Which edger number I use depends on the effect I want on the edge. If I want a squarish edge with just the corners knocked off I use smaller numbers. If I want the edge to be a half circle radius I use the bigger edgers. I prefer the round bottom edgers. They cut a profile with a radius, not a chiseled cut like the flat bottom edgers like Tandy and most of the Osbornes do. If you use the flat bottomed edger on heavy leather in big sizes you will get a flat cut that leads to a point. Usually it takes two to three passes at different angles to "round" an edge with one of these, vs one pass with the round bottom edgers.

Bruce Johnson