Round Knife Vs Box Cutter?

[Andrew Chee]

If you're primarily cutting straight lines nothing beats a rotary knife. I use a 60mm Olfa rotary cutter and it's great for straight lines.

Andrew

[IngleGunLeather]

If you're primarily cutting straight lines nothing beats a rotary knife. I use a 60mm Olfa rotary cutter and it's great for straight lines.

Andrew

What thickness leather are you able to cut with those?

[Andrew Chee]

Pretty much anything. The thickest I've done is probably 8-10oz veg tan. It works like a sharp pizza cutter which is nice cause it pushes down on the leather and cuts instead of dragging across the leather like an exactly knife would. The thing is that you really can't use these for curves.

Andrew

[Matt Alsaker]

I have a round knife, curved trim knife, utility knife, and exacto knife on the bench. I probably use the round knife to make 95+% of my cuts (I also don't have a case for it) and the exacto knife for the rest. I rarely use the curved trim knife, for me that was a waste of money. When I first started out I used a utility knife to cut everything. With practice, I found the round knife to be more efficient. Like CountryTrash, I don't cut through on the first pass, I just score the line. Switching from pulling a utility knife to pushing a round knife took a little patience and practice, but I am more comfortable with it now. I know a lot of people prefer to use a utility knife. In the end, it's more personal preference than anything. Three to four times a year a friend of mine makes custom knives sharpens my round knife for me, he has the equipment and skill to keep it sharp - I couldn't do it on my own.

[malabar]

I've been using utilityknives to do my cutting, mostly because I've read so many posts about quality problems with round knives. So if I'm going to take the plunge and try a round knife, what brand will take and hold the kind of edge needed?

tk

Edited December 2, 2012 by malabar

[Bluesman]

If you're looking for a good round knife. Contact Bruce Johnson, he's a member here and sells used, refurbished knives. Can't get any better than what Bruce sells and the price is right.

[IngleGunLeather]

I've been using utilityknives to do my cutting, mostly because I've read so many posts about quality problems with round knives. So if I'm going to take the plunge and try a round knife, what brand will take and hold the kind of edge needed?

tk

I have the Stohlman Damascus knives. I haven't tried any other brand of knives, so I couldn't tell you whether one is better than the other. I will just say I'm happy with mine.

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Ok, I am going to jump in here. I will try to keep from rambling on, however; I am old so I might wander off, that's the chance you take when you listen to me!! First, regardless of what you use to cut with, round, box, exacto, butter, it dosn't matter, It must be sharp if you want to produce quality work. I am of the opinion that if you want sharp, you should take the time to at least learn how to sharpen a blade. I learned over 65 years ago in the boy scouts, and it has been a skill I have used and been glad I learned many times over. Second, if you are going to buy a round knife, used, Bruce is a very good place to look. New, then be prepared to spend some money to get the advantage of getting the very best tecknology in steel in your blade. Knipper, and all the other guys on this sight can get you in the right direction. Personally, I still use the old Osborn I bought about 25 years ago, it holds a real keen edge, and gets me though anything I want to cut. Not sure how the Osborns of today match up in quality of steel, but mine holds a real edge and gets me through any project I choose to make. I use 13 to 15 oz skirting leather to start, for almost all of my projects. As for using a round knife for straight cuts, and tight corner cuts, I use it for all. A little tip: If you want to cut a straight line lean the knife forward so that the edge of the blade is forcing the knife to go straight. If you are cutting around a curve, lean the blade backward so you are cutting with the tip of the blade, which will allow you to follow the curve you want without messing it up. Last, someone here mentioned that they use a groover or similar tool to mark where they want to cut, that it gives you a good start without buggering up the cut. That works and gives you a nice line on the curved cuts. After all that, bottom line is what ever you use, practice makes perfect, be your own worst critic, and you will get to where you want to be as a leather artist . Now that's my story an I am sticking to it!!

Bob

[renegadelizard]

A little tip: If you want to cut a straight line lean the knife forward so that the edge of the blade is forcing the knife to go straight. If you are cutting around a curve, lean the blade backward so you are cutting with the tip of the blade, which will allow you to follow the curve you want without messing it up.

Too Funny!..ive been usung my round knife for about 6 months now and just figured this out last week...im using the osbourne and after reshaping the ends a little, it cuts great....i strop every other session or so, or when i feel the knofe start to drag a little, but it seems to hold an edge just fine...

[lwm803]

I recently ordered the medium Stohlman stainless round knife because I had never used a round knife before and wanted to see what all the hype was about. I spent the first evening with it making test cuts, sharpening, and stropping it until it was cutting like butter. Pushing the round knife is such a natural motion that I found the "learning curve" to be non existent for me. Of course I have used and sharpened my own knives for many different types of work for many years (since the late 50's) so I am sure that had some influence. The round knife is now the first choice for me when cutting leather whether the cutting is straight or curved. It is also the easiest that I have for skiving. I am not a professional leather worker, it is not even my main hobby, so this is just my impression of a round knife that is not generally very highly regarded among those who mention it. It has always been my experience that a sharp knife is always the best knife, Whether or not that knife stays sharp or requires frequent sharpening is usually a matter of of both dollars and sense (not cents).