help-cutting thick leather

[David]

I'm going to get a lot of criticism for this; but here goes.

I wouldn't use a head knife if you paid me!

Without a doubt the worst cutting (for me) and most dangerous tool made for leather workers.

I do everything by the KISS principle.

I keep it simple. Every leather project I've done has been cut out using scissors. Please keep in mind I don't make saddles so most of my leather has been the 8-9 oz weight. You saddle makers, I understand the need for something else. But for those of us who are working in the lighter weight leathers, there is no need to use a cannon to kill a cock roach.

Go to Tandy and test out their premium leather cutting scissors. They are not cheap, but they work like a charm. We've all been using scissors since kindergarden so you won't need lessons on how to use them. Keep them perpendicular to the leather and you won't have accidental undercuts. You may also want to pick up a good pair of work gloves to pad your hand, but other than that.... give it a try.

David Theobald

Edited April 22, 2009 by David

[rdb]

I really don't understand the resistance to using a head/round knife!

Knife makers come in my shop, and are afraid of that blade...go figger.

I've been a tool person all my life. They have all been created for specific purpose. I have used box cutters, chisels, super shears and anything else I could get my hands on to cut leather...all because I did not want to learn the right tool. I cut myself a few times trying the head knife, and put it aside for a long time. Until I learned that out of the box, an osborne just wasn't sharp. Once I had that edge where it was supposed to be, and learned to keep my hands out of the way, well, a life changing experience occurred. Heavy leather, light leather, curves, straight lines, finishing intersecting cuts, straight edges...even mitering edges became a breeze...no more changing blades, no more beveled edges, no carpal tunnel, no more clenched teeth. I cut 1 oz or 12 oz, all in one pass of the blade. On the heavy stuff, I do go slower, but if you have to add more pressure, it AIN'T SHARP ENOUGH!

Like everyone else, I drool over those handcrafted head knives..lust would be too simple a phrase...lol, but to this day I use my 35 year old tandy osborne, with broken ferrule, and worn down blade. I cut seats, purses, wallets, and anything else in less time, more precisely, and no blood....lol.

[hidepounder]

I really don't understand the resistance to using a head/round knife!

Knife makers come in my shop, and are afraid of that blade...go figger.

I've been a tool person all my life. They have all been created for specific purpose. I have used box cutters, chisels, super shears and anything else I could get my hands on to cut leather...all because I did not want to learn the right tool. I cut myself a few times trying the head knife, and put it aside for a long time. Until I learned that out of the box, an osborne just wasn't sharp. Once I had that edge where it was supposed to be, and learned to keep my hands out of the way, well, a life changing experience occurred. Heavy leather, light leather, curves, straight lines, finishing intersecting cuts, straight edges...even mitering edges became a breeze...no more changing blades, no more beveled edges, no carpal tunnel, no more clenched teeth. I cut 1 oz or 12 oz, all in one pass of the blade. On the heavy stuff, I do go slower, but if you have to add more pressure, it AIN'T SHARP ENOUGH!

Like everyone else, I drool over those handcrafted head knives..lust would be too simple a phrase...lol, but to this day I use my 35 year old tandy osborne, with broken ferrule, and worn down blade. I cut seats, purses, wallets, and anything else in less time, more precisely, and no blood....lol.

AMEN Brotha!!!!

[hidepounder]

I really don't understand all this bashing of anything that isn't a Round/Head knife.

I do 95% of my cutting with a utility knife. Randy, I have a Head knife and I'm neither ignorant of how to keep it sharp nor afraid of it or of using it.

This comes up again and again. We've had people boldly state that nothing else is the 'proper tool' and you cannot produce quality work unless you use one.

THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE.

The proper tool is one that does the job you ask of it safely. Nothing more. I think a lot of the knife fascism comes from the Head/Round knife being seen as a kind of badge of office. I'm sure some feel they need to own and use one to feel like a 'proper' leatherworker.

I'm not saying that a Head/Round knife isn't an excellent way to cut leather, just that it isn't the only excellent way to cut leather.

Can we have a bit more 'live and let live' please?

Badger

Badger,

I don't think anyone is bashing...I didn't read it that way...maybe some difficulty in understanding the resistance to learning to use a great tool...but not bashing! There is a reason that round/head knives have been produced exclusively for leatherworkers for the past 200 years. Most professionals use round/head knives for a variety of reasons...cutting shapes out of leather is just one of them. They are an excellent tool for cutting bevels on edges and are simply unsurpassed when it comes to lap skiving, especially on irregular shapes. Their design makes them incredibly easy to use to cut a staight line without the assistance of a straight edge, and you get to do all of this cutting away from your body, not toward it!!!!! It's really an all around knife!

I agree with you....a person should use what works best for them and I trully believe that! But if I'm asked, I am going to recomend learning to use a round/head knife because for me, it is the fastest, easiest and most efficient cutting instrament I own. Why recommend something you feel is inferior, right? I'll bet I have collected fifty different knives over the years, in nearly as many shapes and sizes, searching for that one knife that I can grab off the bench with confidence and a sense of gratification, knowing it is the best tool for the job! For me it's a head knife. It's one of the most important tools I own. I wish it hadn't taken me so many years to learn to use it, but it did, and now I tell anyone who asks, what a wonderful tool it is and why. There is a definite learning curve and I think people who have mastered that skill are enthusiastic about it and want everyone else to know what a joy that knife is to use use!

Anyway, that's my 2 cents...I'm not bashing...I'm just excited to share something that was difficult to learn!

Bob

[Randy Cornelius]

I really don't understand all this bashing of anything that isn't a Round/Head knife.

I do 95% of my cutting with a utility knife. Randy, I have a Head knife and I'm neither ignorant of how to keep it sharp nor afraid of it or of using it.

Badger

Badger, Vector started this thread and he asked about a better way to cut leather, I am sorry you took offense to our comments about the round knife. If you feel this strongly against a round knife, don't use one, use whatever is comfortable to you. I understand some of us get set in our ways. But I simply was telling Vector another way to cut leather. Seems I stepped on a nerve, I am sorry.

Randy

[tonyc1]

I can't imagine cutting leather in a serious fashion with anything but a round or head knife. Most items I cut out need to be skived on one end and I already have the knife in my hand to do that job with, I don't need to pick up another tool to skive anything with. I can straighten a side of leather after marking a line and sticking to the line and get a straight cut every time. You must have a sharp knife though, to do the job correctly, that is all.

Tony.

Edited April 23, 2009 by tonyc1

[hivemind]

I have an Osborne head knife that just sits in my tool box. I cut probably 80% of my leather with leather shears, and the other 20% with a utility knife.

Maybe I'm just never doing anything that requires a head knife, but for me, the shears are the way to go.

[hidepounder]

I have an Osborne head knife that just sits in my tool box. I cut probably 80% of my leather with leather shears, and the other 20% with a utility knife.

Maybe I'm just never doing anything that requires a head knife, but for me, the shears are the way to go.

hivemind,

There is absolutely nothing wrong with cutting with shears. David prefers to use them also. For me, shears take too long, especially in heavier leathers and they are hard on my hands. Additionally, I use the head knife for other operations as well. When I'm cutting really thin stuff, I sometimes use one of those rolling cutters, but 99% of the time I grab head knife. I think it is all just a matter of personal preference.

Bob

[badger]

Perhaps Bashing was too strong a term to use.

My main objection is to the implication that a Round knife is the 'correct' way to cut leather and anything else is wrong. You'll find that the straight edged clicking knife has been around at least as long as the round knife.

Probably longer. since Cobblers have been around longer than saddlers. You can't catch a horse in bare feet!

I am offering no resistance to using a Round knife, I have two which I use daily. I have no fear of using them or sharpening them.

I simply don't like the idea that a Round knife is 'right' and other cutting tools are 'wrong'. I'm simply advocating freedom of choice,

Cheers,

Badger

[David]

I knew I was going to catch a lot grief for my post, I hope this helps to clarify my position.... If you use a round knife and like it .... more power to you. I respect your preference and the work you produce with it. The round knife is a specialty tool for leather workers and like the swivel knife, it takes considerable practice to use it well. I am not bashing round knives or anyone who uses them.

If you look at the original post, a member was having trouble with cutting leather.... I simply gave him the alternative that I use. For me, I do not use a round knife because I've developed quick and tried and true means of working without one. Like many members here, I have decades spent in the pursuit of other hobbies and crafts (wood working, turning, building black powder guns scrimshaw on powder horns, scratch building models etc, etc.) that provided me the experience of alternative means of cutting. Also, I'm an old guy and the strength in my hands and wrists isn't what it used to be. So for all those reasons I simply use my own methods of cutting and I find them quite satisfactory.

Respectfully,

David Theobald