Strap Cutting - Alternative Methods

[Toadflax]

Hello to you all.

My first post on here, though I've been lurking for a while. I'm UK based, a hobby maker, doing knife, saw and axe sheaths, belts, purses.

I've been using one of the wooden strap cutters for some time now, with generally good results. However, with the traditionally tanned bridle leather that I've recently started working with, I've been finding that the blades for the cutter are blunting and notching much quicker than they do with standard veg-tan. I'm sometimes only getting 2-3 straps cut before the blade goes bad on me. (I'd love to get a plough gauge, but the price is way beyond my budget at the moment!). I wondered about resharpening the blades (and have tried doing so, but haven't yet had a chance to try out any of the re-sharpened ones). Does anyone else on here re-sharpen them?

It got me wondering about other methods for strap cutting. I always do the starter straight edge on a new piece of leather by running a scratch awl along a straight edge, then using my round knife, and guessed that this must be a viable means of cutting straps, albeit a bit slower than using a strap cutter. I wonder if anybody else does this and recommends it?

Thanks

Geoff

[Dwight]

I use the paragon shaped knife blades in my strap cutter as well as to do all my leather cutting of patterns, etc.

I have a round knife, . . . just do not like the critter.

And, . . . yes, . . . I made a strop of a scrap piece of 10 oz leather, . . . little jeweler's rouge, . . . keeps my knife blades all sharpened until I chip em or something that makes em unserviceable.

They work much better than straight out of the mfg'r's package.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Toadflax]

I use the paragon shaped knife blades in my strap cutter as well as to do all my leather cutting of patterns, etc.

Thanks - that's very useful, though I'm not too sure what you mean by the paragon shaped blades. The only ones I've seen for the wooden strap cutters are the ones a bit like half a razor blade. I don't suppose you have a link or picture to show what you mean?

Thanks

Geoff

[JET4]

Geoff,

I too use the wooden strap cutter. I work primarily with 12-14 oz latigo. I discovered that I can take an old blade and push the current blade you are using up a little bit to expose the edge that was hidden in the wood. Use it this way until it dulls then push it the other way. This essentially triples the life of the blade. Just be very careful because the end sticks out of the top and can pose a hazzard to fingers (don't ask me how I know)

I tried sharpening the blades, but had mixed results. I figure the blades aren't too expensive so I don't worry about how many I go through, especially with my little trick above.

Good luck,

JET

[Toadflax]

Geoff,

I too use the wooden strap cutter. I work primarily with 12-14 oz latigo. I discovered that I can take an old blade and push the current blade you are using up a little bit to expose the edge that was hidden in the wood. Use it this way until it dulls then push it the other way. This essentially triples the life of the blade. Just be very careful because the end sticks out of the top and can pose a hazzard to fingers (don't ask me how I know)

I tried sharpening the blades, but had mixed results. I figure the blades aren't too expensive so I don't worry about how many I go through, especially with my little trick above.

Good luck,

JET

Yes - you can by a lot of replacement blades for the price of a plough gauge!

I've been having reasonable results now with sharpening the blades (held in a pair of pliers) on a Fallkniven DC4 stone. I'll have a think on pushing the blade up as you describe.

Geoff

[Go2Tex]

Well yeah, you can stop the razor blades and they will work better until you can buy new ones. The problem I have is, on occasion they break while trying to cut through really hard veg tan. For some reason, every once in a while I'll get some skirting from Hermann Oak that is more like sole leather. Trying to cut it with anything is a struggle. The cutter starts getting wider, which messes up the width of the cut and then it gets to a point where, if I pull any harder, it breaks the blade. For some reason it binds up in the hard leather. I literally have gone through 4-5 blades trying to get it cut. I finally just cut by hand.

I've tried the plough gauge. Either I can't put a good edge on it or I just don't have the talent and guts to use it. With that sharp blade sticking out there next to my thumb trying to hold down a 3" strap, pulling through some thick skirting..... eh, no way. All my instincts are telling me it is a stupid risky method to cut a strap. I guess if I had started out using it and nothing else, and learned the proper way to use it, I'd be fine with it, but frankly, the thing is looks like an accident looking for an idiot to happen.

[bruce johnson]

Well yeah, you can stop the razor blades and they will work better until you can buy new ones. The problem I have is, on occasion they break while trying to cut through really hard veg tan. For some reason, every once in a while I'll get some skirting from Hermann Oak that is more like sole leather. Trying to cut it with anything is a struggle. The cutter starts getting wider, which messes up the width of the cut and then it gets to a point where, if I pull any harder, it breaks the blade. For some reason it binds up in the hard leather. I literally have gone through 4-5 blades trying to get it cut. I finally just cut by hand.

I've tried the plough gauge. Either I can't put a good edge on it or I just don't have the talent and guts to use it. With that sharp blade sticking out there next to my thumb trying to hold down a 3" strap, pulling through some thick skirting..... eh, no way. All my instincts are telling me it is a stupid risky method to cut a strap. I guess if I had started out using it and nothing else, and learned the proper way to use it, I'd be fine with it, but frankly, the thing is looks like an accident looking for an idiot to happen.

Brent,

I have the same experience with the wooden strap cutters. On your gauges- plough gauge or draw gauge? The plough gauge is pushed and the blade is in line with your hand and no torque. There is a roller to keep the leather down and feeding into the blade. I have one that will make an 8" cut as easy as it cuts 1". I use a draw gauge too, but not for much over 1-1/4" since I was introduced to a plough gauge.

[Go2Tex]

Brent,

I have the same experience with the wooden strap cutters. On your gauges- plough gauge or draw gauge? The plough gauge is pushed and the blade is in line with your hand and no torque. There is a roller to keep the leather down and feeding into the blade. I have one that will make an 8" cut as easy as it cuts 1". I use a draw gauge too, but not for much over 1-1/4" since I was introduced to a plough gauge.

Ah yes, draw gauge. That's what I have, and I don't trust it. Like you say, for anything more than a couple inches, it's no better than the wooden one.

Thanks for clearing up that misconception.

Here is a plough gauge for sale on the Internet.

http://www.bonanza.com/listings/Plough-Gauge-BEAUTIFUL-Barnsley-Sheffield-England/21773362

It looks like an accurate device to hold and control the knife as it is pushed through the leather, rather than into the table surface. Makes sense.

[bruce johnson]

Ah yes, draw gauge. That's what I have, and I don't trust it. Like you say, for anything more than a couple inches, it's no better than the wooden one.

Thanks for clearing up that misconception.

Here is a plough gauge for sale on the Internet.

http://www.bonanza.c...ngland/21773362

It looks like an accurate device to hold and control the knife as it is pushed through the leather, rather than into the table surface. Makes sense.

Brent,

I didn't know Barnsley was back to making them unless this is still some of the old stock, but that picture looks pretty new. If you ever want to try one, here's a link to a few I have ready to go -plough gauges for sale . I'll have several more in the next month or so.

[Go2Tex]

Anyone want to trade a good plough gauge for a nice, well cared for Boss Stitcher?