Splitting Rawhide Strings

[jcm]

I am really having trouble with my splitter on Rawhide strings...It splits great then all of the sudden digs in and cuts thru the string...very fustrating...my question is what splitter do yall use? By the way mine is the one from Whitebuff...I keep a sharp blade on it too...No difference if strings are wet or dry still does it...Help Please...

[curlyjo]

If you haven't tried this yet maybe make more passes and don't try to do it in one pass. Brad

[jcm]

If you haven't tried this yet maybe make more passes and don't try to do it in one pass. Brad

Thanks for the reply Brad...yes I have done multiple passes...its when I get down to 1/16" it grabs to much and cuts thru.trying to get down to strings 3/16"wide x 1/32" thick or smaller seems to be tougher than i thuoght..anyway I will keep trying....Boy the sound of this rain on my metal roof sure is pleasing to my ears here in drought plagued Texas.

[curlyjo]

Another idea. The top grain might be to thick and your hitting spots that cause it to break. You might try a yearling hide for that thin of string. A heavy cow would really have to split down to get 1/32 string. I worked with a fellow that would make multiple passes and than use the split pieces after sizing up to build foundations under buttons. Brad

[Leatherpownder]

Curlyjo is right if you want very thin lace it's better with calf or horse hide and it's also stronger. The more you split the weaker the string.

[jcm]

Curlyjo is right if you want very thin lace it's better with calf or horse hide and it's also stronger. The more you split the weaker the string.

Thanks Curlyjo and leatherpounder that's what I needed to know...Still raining here!! Thanks to the man upstairs..

[megabit]

Can't recall who told me this (I think is was more than one) but I've been told you want to try not to split anything down more than it takes to make the thickness even. Going more tends to make it weak. The splitter on whitebuff's deal is a bit prone to that too (I have one). What I think happens is those dang utility blades flex and it cuts deeper when it does. I picked up the splitter from a Hansen and that sure works better but I still use whitebuff's for cutting string and beveling.

Mike

[jcm]

Can't recall who told me this (I think is was more than one) but I've been told you want to try not to split anything down more than it takes to make the thickness even. Going more tends to make it weak. The splitter on whitebuff's deal is a bit prone to that too (I have one). What I think happens is those dang utility blades flex and it cuts deeper when it does. I picked up the splitter from a Hansen and that sure works better but I still use whitebuff's for cutting string and beveling.

Mike

You are absolutely right about the utility blades moving,played with it quite a bit this afternoon,it's the blade...but like you,I couldn't ask for a better cutter or beveler...3"+ of rain here S.E. of Dallas

[Alan Bell]

All of those answers were correct! Don't split thinner than the thinnest part. Plan projects ahead and if you need thinner strings get a smaller animal. It's no good to spend a lot of time braiding something nice with fine strings if it doesn't last and small calves that make nice string are cheap at the sale barn! (and your dog will love you for it!)