Leather Edger Sizing

[bruce johnson]

The whole topic of edgers came up in an email yesterday. I made the reply that edgers could be an hour long topic in a class (easily). I did a thumbnail reply in another thread about types of edgers. Besides type, the other common question with edgers is "What size?"  Here is my take.

There are no standards for the number sizing for edgers between makers. One makers #2 may be different than another maker's #2. Even among a single maker the measured size/number may vary between styles of edgers.  Historically the Gomph, HF Osborne, and vintage CS Osborne edgers were all 1/16 inch of cut per size number. For example the #1 was 1/16" of cut, the #3 was 3/16 inch of cut. Somewhere along the line, the sizes changed and a #3 now from a maker might be 3 mm, 1/16 inch, or some other measurement. The key is to know the maker edger style and then the actual cut measurement. 

What size of cut edger do you need? Everybody has a preference but here is mine. For most work like flat goods, belts, etc. I want my edger to have a cut width around 1/3 the thickness of the leather for edging top and bottom. For a 12 ounce piece (3/16 inch) I grab a 1/16 inch edger. For an 8 ounce piece (8/64") then I go with something like 3/32 inch of cut. These widths do two things - 1) they don't get into my stitch line on edges and 2) they round off the square edges and leave about half the edge of the piece square. By the time you rub that edge it will compress and shape some and that 1/2 thickness remaining square rounds over more.  I like that look and feel for most work. If you want a heavier rounded edge for some applications (saddle horn or skirts) then choose an edger around half the thickness of the leather. 

[TonyV]

Good information Bruce.  I knew size numbers varied by mfr, but didn't know where was a method behind their madness.