Tool for rounding edges?

[DeWayne Hayes]

Hi folks,

I always use an edge beveler to cut a 45-degree bevel on the front and back side of my leather (primarily for making holsters). 

Then, before finishing, I sand the sharp bevel edges on the apex of the edge into a domed, rounded-over shape before wetting and boning shiny smooth before painting. 

Frankly, this is the most tedious part of my process and I really don't enjoy it at all. 

Is there a tool, perhaps some kind of U-shaped scraper, or a Dremel bit, that would dome those edges for me quickly and eliminate the sanding step? 

Thanks,

DeWayne

PS - Attaching a pic of the unfinished edge I'm talking about, before any sanding/rounding. 

 

[alfredleatherworks]

Other than the different types and shapes of edge bevelers, I don't know of a different tool to round the edges of your leather. I prefer the edge bevelers that cut a round shape giving you a beveled edge vs the flat ones which fillet the edge. I find the flat cutting bevelers leave an edge that takes more work to burnish round, but a good round edge beveler will actually leave a round (or half-round if you just bevel one side) edge even without the shaping of the burnishing stick/drum.

My recommendation is to get yourself a decent set of round-edge bevelers. A common set that is not too expensive and easy to find would be the Craftool Round Edge Bevelers (~$35/ea), or these round edge bevelers from Maker's Leather Supply (~$45/ea).

I have a set like the ones from Maker's, and they work well. I'll eventually get a higher-quality set, but for now these ones give me a nice rounded edge to work with. The steel is decent, though not as nice as the more expensive options.

I do also have one of the Tandy round edge bevelers, and I honestly really like it. They are bigger than other companies (the Tandy round edge #2 is more like a #3 from other companies), but otherwise, it's a solid tool. 

Other than that, I'd recommend getting a sanding and burnishing machine to help speed up the tedious edge finishing process. I feel like the machines get the edges at least 90% of the way to where I like them, and I can often just polish the edges a little with some scrap cotton canvas for the final bit. I'll get the work done in about 1/3rd the time too.

[DeWayne Hayes]

Thank you! I'll look into round edge bevelers. That may be the ticket to simplifying this process. 

[alfredleatherworks]

35 minutes ago, DeWayne Hayes said:

Thank you! I'll look into round edge bevelers. That may be the ticket to simplifying this process. 

You're welcome! Good luck!

[bruce johnson]

DeWayne,

 . I sell new and refurbished leather tools and some say that biases me. I also sharpen tools for people about every morning. I haven't seen them all but have seen most. I talk edgers with people several times a week. Edgers are a real rabbit hole and I've had most of the styles and sure a lot of the makers through here. Some people get along with the Craftool edgers and some want Ron's Tools edgers. The imports range from pretty good to soft-and-dull-fast or extremely hard and holds a fine edge until a quarter inch snaps off when it hits the floor. There is something for everyone's needs and expectations. Yes, Round edgers are the way to go as mentioned above. There are a few styles and several makers. Many holster and sheath makers use two sizes. One smaller size for the single layer areas and a bigger edger for the welted areas.  With some of the heavy welts, on the edge there is a rounded area top and bottom and a flat between them. Two reasons - one is that it is easier to blending the joints in thickness on a flat vs round area. The other reason is some of these with really thick welts would be a 3/8' radius and extend pretty far past the stitch line. Some prefer the full radius edge for welted edges but most I see are less than full. They choose an edger that will round over but be less than the thickness of one layer of leather. Then it goes to sanding if needed, and rubbing, slicking, burnishing. Everybody has a favorite method and edge slicking solution (or water). Some totally hand rub, some use a machine to sand and slick (easy to scorch and edge with a dremel) and finish the burnish by hand with sticks, bones, or antlers. 

   One man who built a lot of holsters and sheaths told me this several years ago - "fit is first, straight stitching is second, and great edges are third for making my work stand out. I control the first two, you help me out with the third".  My personal favorites for this application are Gomph or Barry King round bottom edgers. They have the  longest life and easy to maintain the edge. The plus of them that not everybody realizes is they will edge off the belt slots on pancakes. The short toes let them go right around a tight radius. Gomph made them originally and if you can find them, they are worth the money usually. Barry King and I talked about round bottom edgers few years ago and he started making them in the Gomph style. I knew I was going to get calls for my opinion. I bought a few to compare with the original Gomphs and he has them dialed in. 

[DeWayne Hayes]

Thanks Bruce. I think I may actually own a round edger in my bag of stuff ... but for some reason I didn't get along with it or it wouldn't be buried in the bag of stuff.  It was probably a cheap-o. I'll have to dig it out and play with it. 

For the entire time I've been doing leatherwork, I've just been using the same #4 edge beveler and I don't even remember where I got it (probably Amazon) but it has stayed sharp and does what I expect it to - I just have to spend a lot of annoying time rounding over the sharp edge it leaves, hence my post. 

As I say, I'll look more into round edgers - that definitely sounds like the solution to my problem. 

Thanks,

DeWayne

[alfredleatherworks]

5 hours ago, bruce johnson said:

... Barry King and I talked about round bottom edgers few years ago and he started making them in the Gomph style. I knew I was going to get calls for my opinion. I bought a few to compare with the original Gomphs and he has them dialed in.

I didn't know this, but that is awesome to hear! I've been wanting a set of Gomph edgers, but when they come up for sale they are always out of my budget at the time (usually because I see them after having just bought some other thing I needed 😆 such is life). Knowing I can get basically the same tool from BK at whatever point in time my budget allows is a great news!

[DeWayne Hayes]

Aha, I found the edger I had in my "stuff I didn't like" bag. It's a Tandy brand and I tried it again and recalled why it's in the bag - the thing is dull straight out of the box. 

I think it's a round edger anyway - the interior radius is curved and polished. 

 

[FrankHester]

2 hours ago, alfredleatherworks said:

Knowing I can get basically the same tool from BK at whatever point in time my budget allows is a great news!

Same for me!  This is great news!