Cutting Fringe

[bluesman1951]

I have been cutting fringe by hand for 25 years . Got a few tricks that work for me ,am willing to share if there is a interest. Also braid 3,4,6,8,12 and 16 ply bolo cords . This fringe averages 5 strings to a inch and consistently even in width . This method also works for cutting strings for edge braiding such as Spanish edge braiding . You can cut lace from a entire deer hide in about 30 minutes also 5 strings to a inch . Average 150 to 180 strings to a hide . The fringe shown here is 10 inches high by 35 inches long . What do you think of this ?

[Luke Hatley]

As i read you aren't going to tell us unless we ask...I'm asking, How do you cut your fringe. I looks very nice and even.

[Dwight]

I'm with Luke, . . . I'd like to know too, . . .

May God bless,

Dwight

[tnawrot2]

I have been cutting fringe by hand for 25 years . Got a few tricks that work for me ,am willing to share if there is a interest. Also braid 3,4,6,8,12 and 16 ply bolo cords . This fringe averages 5 strings to a inch and consistently even in width . This method also works for cutting strings for edge braiding such as Spanish edge braiding . You can cut lace from a entire deer hide in about 30 minutes also 5 strings to a inch . Average 150 to 180 strings to a hide . The fringe shown here is 10 inches high by 35 inches long . What do you think of this ?

Your fringe looks great, how do you do it?

[bluesman1951]

I use a 60mm rotary cutter by Olfa and a piece of 1/4 inch piece of plastic as a straight edge . The cutter looks like a pizza cutter ,very sharp .The thick plastic is necessary to give a shoulder for the blade to ride on a thinner piece allows the blade to go up and over injury to fingers is possible with thin straight edge .I keep this plastic in 12" 24"36" and 60" for all types of cutting . The picture is of the tool and plastic used while trimming a bag . Spacing part is eyeball with a reference to the thickness of plastic and the last cut . You are looking at the top corner of the plastic and your last cut to index the cut and get the spacing ,its very simple .

Your fringe looks great, how do you do it?

[Luke Hatley]

Thank you so much for sharing that information with us. It will help a lot of Leatherworkers.

[Dwight]

I like that trick, . . . but I really don't like those rotary cutters.

Just one of those personal things, . . . have visions of fingers falling to the floor every time I use mine.

May God bless,

Dwight

[bluesman1951]

I respect mine a lot . I think the trick is always have a sharp blade . less pressure is required when cutting . The thick plexi glass gives a shoulder for the blade to ride on thus preventing the finger injury you mentioned . As you can see it does a fine job . I respect your feelings on this matter and would be interested in seeing how you cut your stuff . Bill

I like that trick, . . . but I really don't like those rotary cutters.

Just one of those personal things, . . . have visions of fingers falling to the floor every time I use mine.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Dwight]

I respect mine a lot . I think the trick is always have a sharp blade . less pressure is required when cutting . The thick plexi glass gives a shoulder for the blade to ride on thus preventing the finger injury you mentioned . As you can see it does a fine job . I respect your feelings on this matter and would be interested in seeing how you cut your stuff . Bill

Well, Bill, . . . first off, . . . I don't do a lot of fringe. IWB holsters for 1911's and their associated belts and mag carriers are my stock and trade for the most part, . . . and they are kina "fringe less" so to speak.

If you look on my website, www.dwightsgunleather.com there are a couple of fringed pieces I did.

Both were done with a stainless steel ruler that has a cork back, . . . and a drywall (razor) knife that had been worked over on my razor knife strop.

Again, . . . I don't do much, . . . that gets me by, . . .

As I said earlier, . . . I like your idea, . . . but I've owned my rotary cutter for about 5 years now, . . . never needed to change the blade, . . . just don't use it much, . . . and yeah, . . . I am actually scared of the thing. Same way with my round knife, . . .

Anyway, . . . may God bless,

Dwight

[bluesman1951]

I did look at your web site . My compliments on very fine work . I am in total agreement with you on the round knife ,scares the beejesus out of me . Unlikely I'll ever own one. Ive had the rotary cutter in my hand nearly every day all day for 25 years so I would be lost with out it . 100% of my work is with deer skin and chap leather ,rarely do I deal with the tooling leather . I really enjoyed your work and look forward to seeing more of it . I am new here so I am just getting my feet wet trying to find my way around . Lots of talented people here hope I can keep up . Thanks for your reply ! God Bless Bill

Well, Bill, . . . first off, . . . I don't do a lot of fringe. IWB holsters for 1911's and their associated belts and mag carriers are my stock and trade for the most part, . . . and they are kina "fringe less" so to speak.

If you look on my website, www.dwightsgunleather.com there are a couple of fringed pieces I did.

Both were done with a stainless steel ruler that has a cork back, . . . and a drywall (razor) knife that had been worked over on my razor knife strop.

Again, . . . I don't do much, . . . that gets me by, . . .

As I said earlier, . . . I like your idea, . . . but I've owned my rotary cutter for about 5 years now, . . . never needed to change the blade, . . . just don't use it much, . . . and yeah, . . . I am actually scared of the thing. Same way with my round knife, . . .

Anyway, . . . may God bless,

Dwight

[Deb59]

Quilting supplies in the Craft Dept have great acrylic rulers to use with the Olfa rotary cutter. They are thick and wide for the reason's Bluesman stated, you can see through them, and they have ruler markings to use for different width fringe or what ever you are cutting. Some have a lip at one end that works great to help cut nice square corners and straight edges on pieces of vegtan for wallet backs. I use the rulers with both the Olfa cutter and a head knife.