How do I do the fringe?

[Randy Cornelius]

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

I will have to agree with Steve, a sharp round knife and a stright edge and a piece of chalk to make a rough line where to start cutting. Anyone still using a box cutter for leather.... well to each his own.

[Denise]

Here's a couple links to threads with other thoughts, including how to go around corners and still make them look good.

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...8&hl=fringe

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...1&hl=fringe

[mulefool]

Although I can't imagine using anything but a round knife for most things, on the fringe I get great results using a rotary cutter and a clear ruler like the type used by quilters. Run the blade along the edge of the ruler then move it down to the next fringe. Since the ruler is clear you can see that you are cutting consistent fringe and by pressing down on the ruler as you cut you keep the leather from stretching as you cut. Just like with the round knife the key is using a SHARP blade. But the rotary blades are easy to replace and I buy them in bulk. Chris

[UKRay]

You are quite right L'Bum, it IS a Jerry's Stripper - I knew it had something to do with getting your kit off!

The device uses the same sort of knife blades that Luke is suggesting (we know them as Stanley knife blades here in the UK) but it allows you to cut several strips of fringe at a time.

Luke, I can see the sense in making the leather wet so it sticks to the cutting board - what a great tip - and cutting individual strips means it would be a very neat job but this device really saves me so much time. I actually have two of them, one is set to cut 5 x 1/4" thong lacing which means I can easily make the slits for magic braid belts; whilst the other is set to cut 1/8" fringe for purses. They save me valuable production time.

I would also agree that the rotary knife is a great tool for the job when used with a clear ruler - I tend to use that method for tricky bits as the Jerry's stripper isn't too good at cutting in tight spaces. I find it very effective when cutting soft leather and suede.

Regarding the use of a round knife, I completely agree that a round knife will do the job perfectly well and, over the past thirty odd years, I have cut plenty of fringe with one - I just prefer to use the Jerry's Stripper because I find it a very good tool for the job. My work still ends up looking neat, tidy and properly finished. If this makes me a bad leatherworker in the eyes of round knife purists then I guess I can live with that.

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

[Double U Leather]

I"m gonna jump into the fray here.....I've been makin' rodeo chaps for 25+ years. When I first started, I used to use scissors!!! After using several roles of Johnson & Johnson athletic tap for blisters, I discovered the rotary knife. I've used a rotary knife since. I don't even do the ruler/straight edge thing. I just start either at the top or inside bottom, depending on which leg. I can pretty much eye ball it as to angles and width. Occasionally, I will have to cut a small wedge out to make the angles work. I also am someone who cut 12-18" fringe on most chaps. I figure that if a guy is ridin' broncs or bulls in my chaps, the chances that anyone will be able to tell if my fringe isn't exactly even width or perfectly straight is pretty slim. And I know the bulls and broncs could care less. Just my 2 cents worth. I wish I had some pics of the chaps I've made on hand. I'll have to dig some I think.

[Luke Hatley]

Ray , thank you. what i probably should have said "my fringe is cut after the item

of clothes are made".

i did try Jerrys Stripper once, but could not get it to cut the fringe on the sleves

like i wanted to.

imagin this, when you are pulling the deerskin you are streching it comming from the stripper

so if i wet the skin and use the razor blade to cut i am not pulling on the skin.

[tonyc1]

I bought one 30 years ago and it wasn't worth the trouble trying to cut soft leather, it wandered everywhere. I use a roundknife or sharp scissors.

Tony.

[UKRay]

Steve,

I have looked at your website and seen the beautiful stuff you make and respect your work enormously. You are obviously a very skilled craftsman; that notwithstanding, I still think this is the most insulting statement I have ever seen on this forum. How can you even suggest that the people who work so hard to make the wonderful, exciting things we see on a daily basis here aren't as good as you just because they don't use a round knife to cut their leather?

I am absolutely astounded. ...and Randy, your comment wasn't much better.

Ray

...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.

[badger]

Steve,

I use nothing but a razor knife to cut my leather.

If the 'right tool' is one that will perform the task required of it safely, accurately and reliably in my hands then I'm using the right tool for the job already.

Different strokes........

Karl

[Hennessy]

Although I can't imagine using anything but a round knife for most things, on the fringe I get great results using a rotary cutter and a clear ruler like the type used by quilters. Run the blade along the edge of the ruler then move it down to the next fringe. Since the ruler is clear you can see that you are cutting consistent fringe and by pressing down on the ruler as you cut you keep the leather from stretching as you cut. Just like with the round knife the key is using a SHARP blade. But the rotary blades are easy to replace and I buy them in bulk. Chris

i thought that method wuz one of my trade secrets pete