Swivel Knife Prolems - Help

[M_S]

I'm a beginner-intermediate leatherworker. I have a very good swivel knife (Barry King) and sharp blades. However, when I'm making my cuts in tight curves in Sheridan patterns, the leather tears in spots. Not large tears, just tears that appear as ragged edges instead of the clean, tight lines we're after. Am I using too much pressure in the curves, or am I holding the knife at a bad angle, or am I not swiveling the knife correctly, or making some other mistake? If my description of the problem is too vague, then please give tips on smooth swivel knife cuts in tight curves. Thanks a bunch.

Edited May 8, 2012 by M_S

[Cyberthrasher]

From your description, and my own struggles, it sounds a lot like a combination between improper "swiveling" and possibly a blade that needs stropped. I find it helps to adjust the front to back angle of the knife to a more vertical position (relative to the normal angle) when doing tight turns, which allows the swivel to have more of an effect on radius of the turn. I still have a lot of problems with it but I am getting better by using these methods. Another thing you may notice is that if you press into the leather real hard you'll get little raised ridges around your cut line which could also appear like little tears.

[Bluesman]

Leather may be to wet. Let it dry to original color. Really makes a difference

[Sylvia]

I think Bluesman hit it on the head. Proper casing. It's hard sometimes to wait until your leather is ready to cut with a swivel knife. We get excited and want to get to carving.... but ... Too wet and you get wrinkly almost torn looking edges on the cut.

[colttrainer]

Sounds like you need to tilt blade back , use more tip,,Make shure your blade is vertical from side to side & not under cutting.

[Randy Cornelius]

Really tilt the blade back when doing tight turns. It also helps to add a little soap to your casing solution. It will help the blade glide through the leather. All the above tips are good.

[King's X]

If you get a chance....take a look at the "Leather Manual" by Al Stohlman regarding the use of the swivel knife. It might help you out a bit.

[colttrainer]

TAKE STOHLMAN'S BOOKS AND THROW THEM IN THE TRASH

If you get a chance....take a look at the "Leather Manual" by Al Stohlman regarding the use of the swivel knife. It might help you out a bit.

[Jimbob]

wet leather, cheap wet leather and dull knife on wet leather......makes a huge difference to wait till all is original color, just as you knew is most important when tooling....let it dry a bit more and use sharp strobed knife.....and you will be on your way!!

Guess how I know that.....hahahaaa...

gud luck

Jimbob

[NoName]

TAKE STOHLMAN'S BOOKS AND THROW THEM IN THE TRASH

Definitely do not throw away any of Stohlman's books. There is a wealth of information to be had from them. Some of the stuff has become outdated, and you may find easier of better ways of doing things, but don't bash the man who was so instrumental in spreading the craft and so generous with his knowledge.