Round Knife Beginner

[BanjoMan]

I am still fairly new to leather work an I just got a new round knife for Christmas. Up to this point, I've been using sheers and an x-acto knife to cut leather for my projects. I would really like to start using the round knife, but I want to learn how to use it properly. On all of the videos where I've seen one used, it seems like it cuts much better and easier than any other method. Does anyone have any suggestions on where I should start as far as learning goes? (books, DVD's, tutorials, etc...??)

Thanks!

[electrathon]

As a start, you push the knife. Keep your hand that is holding the leather behind it. Do not ever push it toward your hand!

[Frank]

If you search for round knife or leather working on youtube, it will pop up a few short videos that might come in handy for you.

Frank

[jbird22cal]

If you search for round knife or leather working on youtube, it will pop up a few short videos that might come in handy for you.

Frank

I agree, You tube has a few handy videos on how to use it.

Edited December 29, 2010 by jbird22cal

[particle]

Make sure you know how to sharpen it properly, because a sharp knife will make life a LOT easier. A tip I picked up from another member of the forum is to press the tip into a ball of beeswax - this helps the knife slide through the leather much easier. I really don't think this should be necessary with a properly sharpened and well polished blade, but my stones aren't fine enough for a good polish, so the wax comes in handy from time to time in really firm leather.

This video has been posted elsewhere on the forum, but here it is again.

Edited December 29, 2010 by particle

[Relly]

I am still fairly new to leather work an I just got a new round knife for Christmas. Up to this point, I've been using sheers and an x-acto knife to cut leather for my projects. I would really like to start using the round knife, but I want to learn how to use it properly. On all of the videos where I've seen one used, it seems like it cuts much better and easier than any other method. Does anyone have any suggestions on where I should start as far as learning goes? (books, DVD's, tutorials, etc...??)

Thanks!

Tandy Leather has a nifty book, "Leathercraft tools" stock #61960-00, less than $20 for Gold members.

That book tells you plenty about the round knife.

I just bought a round knife, and here's what I learned:

* The book is smart and I am dumb. I will be buying decent stones and learning to sharpen the blade their way.

(I took a new blade and ruined the edge, then almost got it sharp again ... but not "like new" sharp)

* Even a "dull" knife is pretty sharp (No blood, I tested it out on scraps!)

* You can skive onion-like layers even with a dull blade

* The round knife has been used since prehistory. It's older than the Egyptians.

* The knife is relatively cheap

My thought is that a $4 bag of leather scraps, a sharp knife and a lot of practice will make me a better artisan.

For what that's worth

Relly

[brettra]

I live in the far north and local aboriginal people use "ulu's" which are similar to the round knife. Again, youtube and various sites have instruction on their use.

It appears the round knife is a creation from this traditional ulu.

Hope this is useful

[Relly]

I live in the far north and local aboriginal people use "ulu's" which are similar to the round knife. Again, youtube and various sites have instruction on their use.

It appears the round knife is a creation from this traditional ulu.

Hope this is useful

Round knives are portrayed in Egyptian hieroglyphs ... and the knife is older than that.

Relly