Strap cutter

[10x]

New to the site. I have been looking at buying a Weaver strap cutter. What other options are out there?

I need it to cut 1.25" straps out of 12/13 oz strap leather.

Thanks for your help.

Edited April 14, 2009 by 10x

[HorsehairBraider]

Tandy sells one... you can cut pretty wide straps with it. They make it in both wood (cheaper) and metal... I would advise the metal one. I've got an ancient wood one that I have cut many a mile of strapping with... but the wood is not as accurate (I feel) as the metal, and the wood of course wears out faster. To be fair though I've had my wood one for about 30 years. Here's the wooden strap cutter and here's the metal strap cutter .

I've also cut straps with a draw gauge, those work good but take a little practice. But then that same is true of most tools.

[10x]

I have read allot of threads here. Do those strap cutters work very good on the heavier leather?

[2MadJacks]

I have used teh wood one for a while and it worked fine on 10 12 oz so im sure you wouldn't have a problem. It seems everything with any leather cutting is--- make sure your tools are sharp. but I bought the old brass/rosewood osborne draw gauge pistol grip style and it is much more comfortable. you can get the cast aluminum pistol grip one for around $30 sometimes less than 20 on ebay. good luck, James

http://cgi.ebay.com/Craftool-Professional-...%3A1%7C294%3A50

[UKRay]

IMHO, a plough gauge would be the best tool for the job. Having used a plough for years, I can't imagine doing it any other way.

[Randy Cornelius]

I have used all three that are mentioned. My choise is the metal strap cutter from Tandy. The only draw back is that the blades you get for them these days are not as good as they used to be. My experiance is they seem to break more offen. Also if you hit a hard place in skirting the blade will break. Some Herman Oak leather will have hard spots in it from time to time, then I used the old Osborne strap cutter. But you have to keep the blade sharp, again the new blades you buy for them are not the quality they used to be.

On that note does anyone know where they can get good blades for the Tandy strap cutter, I ordered some from Weaver and they sent me Tandy! Whats up with that? I could have gotten them cheeper direct from Tandy.

[bruce johnson]

I thought from your original post you were looking at the handcrank strap cutting machine that Weaver sells. I don't know anyone who has one. The other options are the powered strap cutters that the sewing machine sellers have too. With any of these there are blades and spacers. You set the spacers to the width straps you need and run the leather through. It can make multiple strips in one pass.

If you are looking at hand strap cutters - good advice so far. Like Horsehairbraider, I have run a lot of skirting through a wooden strap cutter. The original design seems to work the best. They are a hardwood and seem to track true. Not the most ergonomic for extended use, but will do the job. The blades are pretty much protected within the bars, so pretty safe also. I use razor blades in them and break off the excess length that sticks out. If they track true, the blades last quite a while for me. I have a few drawgauges, and thanks to a local tool collector - seem to be getting a few cool old ones. The old ones have different handle styles and shapes, with and without triggers, etc. and were built for workers. It is pretty cool to pull a strap with 100-150 year old tools. The new Osborne blades are OK, about like most other blades - the old ones are better, but maybe not worth chasing all over to find them. I have been getting draw gauge blades from Bob Douglas that Bill Buchman makes. They are the best I have used. They have a little wooden handle on them that makes it easier to hold onto when you sharpen them. That handle is also pretty handy to reach under and use your left hand on to steady the pull when you are cutting heavier or harder leather.

I recently got to try a plough gauge. It was pretty slick, but they are pretty spendy new and when they come up used. I smoked a deal on one last week, and have used it for 5 days. I can see it fast becoming my most reached for strap cutter.

[Tkleather1]

could one of you guys post a picture of a plough gauge? I think I know what you are talking about but I need to be sure. I have an old draw gauge that was given to me that is the handyest thing. I dont remember what the name on it is I will go out to the shop today and look at it, If it quits snowing.

[10x]

I was looking at the hand crank style. Just because I heard that it is difficult to cut heavy strap leather with one of the little hand version.

[barra]

Here's a plough guage. alternatively look at Bruce's thread on Barnsley plough guage in leather history.

Barra

[kevinhopkins]

I have used all three that are mentioned. My choise is the metal strap cutter from Tandy. The only draw back is that the blades you get for them these days are not as good as they used to be. My experiance is they seem to break more offen. Also if you hit a hard place in skirting the blade will break. Some Herman Oak leather will have hard spots in it from time to time, then I used the old Osborne strap cutter. But you have to keep the blade sharp, again the new blades you buy for them are not the quality they used to be.

On that note does anyone know where they can get good blades for the Tandy strap cutter, I ordered some from Weaver and they sent me Tandy! Whats up with that? I could have gotten them cheeper direct from Tandy.

Hi Randy,

we buy ours from a different blade company. As near as I can tell, they seem to last longer and hold their edge better. You'd just have to try a few and give me your opinion.

Kevin/Springfield leather

[Janice]

Here is a pic of my plough gauge.

[tat2]

Hello I bought an italian strap cutter and works like a charm on my belts. The buy is in Toronto Canada. If your interested let me know. its a 12 inch, top load with spacers, easy to use once your aquainted.

www.greemanleather.ca