Members HobbitSam Posted February 25, 2009 Members Report Posted February 25, 2009 Greetings oh the mighty masters of the hides and rullers of swivel knives and all that goes with it. Well anyway sorry for my strange einglish, and this is my first post here. I have been wondering long enough on how do I make fringe. Seriously I wish I could find an easy way to do that. But as I try do anything on the matter - whatever I do makes me feel that I am inventing a bicycle all over again. So please tell me about all the ways about it. Quote Qui prodest?
Bree Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 Greetings oh the mighty masters of the hides and rullers of swivel knives and all that goes with it.Well anyway sorry for my strange einglish, and this is my first post here. I have been wondering long enough on how do I make fringe. Seriously I wish I could find an easy way to do that. But as I try do anything on the matter - whatever I do makes me feel that I am inventing a bicycle all over again. So please tell me about all the ways about it. LOL!! I buy it when I find it on sale. I remember this guy who calls himself Uncle George scored a couple of boxes of long curly fringe and was selling it on EBay. I snapped up a bunch of it. I knew that I could not possibly cut the fringe for the price I was paying to Uncle George. It is a pain in the butt to cut it without a specialized cutter. Quote Ride Safe! Bree 2003 Dyna Wide Glide Memberships: Iron Butt Association, Niagara Falls HOG, Wild Fire HOG NRA, Niagara County Sportsman's Association
Contributing Member UKRay Posted February 25, 2009 Contributing Member Report Posted February 25, 2009 Suddenly I feel like I've dropped into a story by JRR Tolkein... My way of cutting fringe is pretty simple. I use a gadget I got from Tandy Leather Factory called a 'Striptease' - you may want to check the spelling here! It is basically a bunch of razor sharp knife blades held in a frame and you simply draw your leather over the blades to create your fringe. It does have a few limitations but aside from a rotary cutter I haven't found anything easier. It is reasonably inexpensive and is great for cutting any kind of strips of leather. I also use mine for cutting 1/4" wide veg tan thongs for bag making as it is much easier than using a knife. Quote "Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps" Ray Hatley www.barefootleather.co.uk
Members HobbitSam Posted February 25, 2009 Author Members Report Posted February 25, 2009 (edited) oh my.... now a stupid hobbit I feel myself indeed... so that is that thing which is also capable of cutting thin laces for lacing projects? I must have walked a thousand times past it while I was in USA and never bought it and now I only see blades for it... leather stripper I guess they call it though I doubt that machine would have cut me some chups fringe or would it? Buying fringe does not seem to be an option because then you'd have no choice of colour I guess. Still I am longing to hear any easy or better way to make accurate looking fringe and I do appreciate you mentioning my words in comparison with the way professor Tolkien's world reads. Edited February 25, 2009 by HobbitSam Quote Qui prodest?
Ambassador Luke Hatley Posted February 25, 2009 Ambassador Report Posted February 25, 2009 Hobbit........dont listen to Ray.... i use a 12" framing square , a LOT of razor blades in a box cutter holder. lay the framing square on what you are going to fringe. and start cutting. Quote Luke
Leather Bum Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 (edited) Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Ray is referring to this device also available from Siegel of California: Jerry Stripper. I have not used this product. ETA: Luke, how do you keep the leather from stretching and making uneven fringe? L'Bum Edited February 25, 2009 by Leather Bum Quote
Ambassador Luke Hatley Posted February 25, 2009 Ambassador Report Posted February 25, 2009 Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Ray is referring to this device also available from Siegel of California: Jerry Stripper.I have not used this product. ETA: Luke, how do you keep the leather from stretching and making uneven fringe? L'Bum if i cut deer skin or elk i will wet it with a spray just to moisten it. this will let the skin stick to my cutting surface. the framing square is laying on the left side and i am cutting on the right. i will be cutting 1/8 or a tad larger. ( works for me) Quote Luke
Members HobbitSam Posted February 25, 2009 Author Members Report Posted February 25, 2009 (edited) Hobbit........dont listen to Ray....i use a 12" framing square , a LOT of razor blades in a box cutter holder. lay the framing square on what you are going to fringe. and start cutting. Great deer skin shirt!!!! I envy!!!! Okay cool...now I need to understand what is what if my english kind of let's me understand what may ne a framing square then the concept of box cutter holder escapes my vision totally. I am very sorry if I make you feel like you are talking to a moron (sometimes plain everyday down to earth things are not within my philological knowledge). Really then how would leather not drag after blades and become uneven I do not forsee...wetting it must work if it works for you... That machine at Siegel it seems to be rather inexpensive must get... pity I am in Moscow nowdays. Are there any more Ideas? Edited February 25, 2009 by HobbitSam Quote Qui prodest?
Members steve mason Posted February 25, 2009 Members Report Posted February 25, 2009 I use traditional tools to cut leather,a sharp round knife, there is a reason saddle makers have been using round knifes for over a 100 years, it is because it is the best tool for the job of cutting leather. I make chaps with fringe up to 10" long and about 1/8"wide. All I use is a sharp round knife and a straight edge. this will make very nice knife fringe and will save you money on bandaids. Any type of razor blade are flimsy and may break bend etc and cut you. Razor knifes are for cutting open cardboard they have no other place in a quality leather makers shop. You will be a much better leather worker in the long run if you learn to use the right tools for the right job at the time. I am jumping off my soapbox now. Steve Quote check out www.stevemasonsaddles.com check out my saddle blog
Members 2MadJacks Posted February 25, 2009 Members Report Posted February 25, 2009 I use traditional tools to cut leather,a sharp round knife, there is a reason saddle makers have been using round knifes for over a 100 years, it is because it is the best tool for the job of cutting leather. I make chaps with fringe up to 10" long and about 1/8"wide. All I use is a sharp round knife and a straight edge. this will make very nice knife fringe and will save you money on bandaids. Any type of razor blade are flimsy and may break bend etc and cut you. Razor knifes are for cutting open cardboard they have no other place in a quality leather makers shop. You will be a much better leather worker in the long run if you learn to use the right tools for the right job at the time.I am jumping off my soapbox now. Steve LOL, are you sure you didn't fall off that soapbox? I could't disagree with you more on this. You don't have to just use tools that are traditional for leather crafting. Someone has to be the first to try anything, whatever means necessary to get the job done nicely. Its okay if you only want to work leather traditionally, but at the same time its also okay to use a razor knife or box blade in a quality leather makers shop. If I misunderstood your statement then I will go ahead and apologize now. James Quote
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