Strap Cutter Options

[xlr8tn]

Hello,

I recently saw a video of some bridle making business in England (can't seem to find my saved link) and they used a strap cutter that was pushed instead of pulled. It appeared to be in a box and did not look adjustable. I make watch straps and the widths are pretty standard so I wouldn't mind owning a few custom ones. I would prefer something like this versus the standard tandy strap cutter. Can someone tell me where I can find one of these strap cutters or how to make one?

Thanks,

Brent

[bruce johnson]

Brent,

I started off with the original wooden strap cutters and liked them. There are some knockoffs that are not as precise. I got a draw gauge and liked that alright once I learned a few important safety lessons, one the hard way. I ended up and scored on an old guy selling out his collection of draw gauges last fall and picked up some great oldies. I set one for each common width and thought I was in fat city. A few months ago, I visited a friend's shop and he was taught by an English worker. He used a plough gauge, which I think is what you are describing. I ran a strip with it, seemed simple enough. My local Aussie buddy has his dad's old Dixon and while he will loan me a collection of old stamps to kill for, the plough gauge stays with him. He says if you ever get one, you won't cut with anything else. I got a nice old Barnsley a couple months ago off ebay. Sharpened it up and holy crap, haven't picked up a draw gauge since. Brownie's words ring true - "Toldja, mate!!".

They show up from time to time on ebay. Bob Douglas has them sometimes too. Otherwise you can buy a Dixon from Siegels here in the US, or from Abbeys in England. I don't know if anyone else carries them here in the US.

[hidepounder]

Brent,

I started off with the original wooden strap cutters and liked them. There are some knockoffs that are not as precise. I got a draw gauge and liked that alright once I learned a few important safety lessons, one the hard way. I ended up and scored on an old guy selling out his collection of draw gauges last fall and picked up some great oldies. I set one for each common width and thought I was in fat city. A few months ago, I visited a friend's shop and he was taught by an English worker. He used a plough gauge, which I think is what you are describing. I ran a strip with it, seemed simple enough. My local Aussie buddy has his dad's old Dixon and while he will loan me a collection of old stamps to kill for, the plough gauge stays with him. He says if you ever get one, you won't cut with anything else. I got a nice old Barnsley a couple months ago off ebay. Sharpened it up and holy crap, haven't picked up a draw gauge since. Brownie's words ring true - "Toldja, mate!!".

They show up from time to time on ebay. Bob Douglas has them sometimes too. Otherwise you can buy a Dixon from Siegels here in the US, or from Abbeys in England. I don't know if anyone else carries them here in the US.

Bruce,

I have started to buy a plough gauge couple of times and was just too tight to turn loose of the money. Douglas loves them like you do! What I want to know is are they good for stripping narrow widths and how well do they work on light leather. I've discovered that when I was stripping out 2/3 oz or 3/4 oz leather, my draw gauge wanders.....it's extremely sharp and with the light leather there is not enough resistance between the blade and the guide to keep me cutting straight.

Bob

[cem]

Theres a Dixon Plough Gauge on Ebay Australia at the moment under leathercraft. Not knowing anything about them not sure if the price is high or not.

Cheers,

Clair

[xlr8tn]

Thanks all for the info. I will take a look. Same thing with pricking irons...dang those are pricey...but if you can find some old saddlemakers tools...even better. Just sharpen them up and use them like they are brand new.

-Brent

[tonyc1]

Theres a Dixon Plough Gauge on Ebay Australia at the moment under leathercraft. Not knowing anything about them not sure if the price is high or not.

Cheers,

Clair

I had someone here last week and he'd been to Lefflers in Melbourne and said a Dixon plough gauge is $800 these days!

Tony.

[xlr8tn]

I found the video...part I am looking for is at 1:49.

[bruce johnson]

Brent,

Not a plough gauge that they are using. Cool looking tool though. Scary when he runs that round knife there towards the left hand right after that, huh.

Bob,

I let a couple newer Dixon plough gauges get by me on Ebay that went past my maximum bid. My Ebay theory is to not pay more than half of new retail on anything currently made. This Barnsley came up in early April and I got it bought for $96.55. Sometimes you do eat the bear. When I got it the blade was at the back of the stops and still appeared to have a factory grind with a flat edge on the front to have the final sharpening done by the user. I am guessing the blade was unused. It has its whole life ahead of it. The blade is a Dixon but fits perfectly. There are mating numbers on the frame and slide like the old draw gauges made here, so it might be pretty old. The 2/3 and 3/4 cuts alright with the plough gauge. I think the longer fence and length of the blade on the plough gauge help to keep leather tracking more true than the draw gauge with an inch of blade at best.

I think the plough gauge might have the same issues as the draw gauge on flexible leather. It can wad up between the blade and guide and wander. For the soft leather this is one place I think the wooden strap cutters shine. I put a brand new stropped razor blade in mine, and then make a starting cut with a knife. I set the bars so they are just kissing the leather no gaps to wad up and pull away on the tail. I have one of those third hand bench clamps with the fence wire stretcher cam action. I can clamp the end in there and just back away and watch the tension. When my first wife was doing some beading I could make some pretty even strips of deerhide or piglining that way.

[jimsaddler]

Brent,

Not a plough gauge that they are using. Cool looking tool though. Scary when he runs that round knife there towards the left hand right after that, huh.

Bob,

I let a couple newer Dixon plough gauges get by me on Ebay that went past my maximum bid. My Ebay theory is to not pay more than half of new retail on anything currently made. This Barnsley came up in early April and I got it bought for $96.55. Sometimes you do eat the bear. When I got it the blade was at the back of the stops and still appeared to have a factory grind with a flat edge on the front to have the final sharpening done by the user. I am guessing the blade was unused. It has its whole life ahead of it. The blade is a Dixon but fits perfectly. There are mating numbers on the frame and slide like the old draw gauges made here, so it might be pretty old. The 2/3 and 3/4 cuts alright with the plough gauge. I think the longer fence and length of the blade on the plough gauge help to keep leather tracking more true than the draw gauge with an inch of blade at best.

I think the plough gauge might have the same issues as the draw gauge on flexible leather. It can wad up between the blade and guide and wander. For the soft leather this is one place I think the wooden strap cutters shine. I put a brand new stropped razor blade in mine, and then make a starting cut with a knife. I set the bars so they are just kissing the leather no gaps to wad up and pull away on the tail. I have one of those third hand bench clamps with the fence wire stretcher cam action. I can clamp the end in there and just back away and watch the tension. When my first wife was doing some beading I could make some pretty even strips of deerhide or piglining that way.

A quick tip for sharpening Plough Guages. Sharpen the inside (left) edge at a bit more angle than the outside which is sharpened nearly flat. It is like a light Chisel edge. This keeps the Blade full and stops the wander that you get with a Draw guage (which are not accurate enough for production work). Pull the Leather through with a backhand motion of the left hand. Take long strokes to get even Straps.

Kindest Regards.

Jim Saddler.

[Regis]

I found the video...part I am looking for is at 1:49.

That is an excellent short video. For those of us isolated from other leatherworkers, it was awesome. I wish they would have done the same detail on bags as they did bridles & saddles.

Thank you!

Edited June 12, 2009 by Regis