Cutting String

[Tanthathide9]

After initial 1" cut split im ready to cut my final lace. Im using the hansen and when cuttingive noticed its putting more of a bevel than a straight cut. .ive waited til the string is almost too dry ..its acting like its too wet where it will squeeze between my guide and blade...so ive let it sit and dry long then continue and it cuts great ive applied saddle soap and let it case...is this still because my moisture isnt evenly distributed trougtout and I should case it longer? Any help would be great

[megabit]

Rawhide? Sounds like it is likely too wet just like your first thoughts. I find the proper temper has a fair amount of water evenly distributed and feels like it is too dry. If it is too dry it won't cut very well, when it is just right it cuts like butter.

[curlyjo]

When I'm cutting rawhide, I make my first cut round and round and generally end up with 90 to 100' of string cut wet. Then I hang it up between 2 hooks outside in the sun about 30' apart and wait til it dries some and then split. Then again between the hooks and wait til it feels right and then gauge for width. Then again and wait awhile til I bevel. This can happen pretty fast this time of year and take forever if it's been raining. Then I hang it up under a porch if it's raining. In between, I cut Kangaroo for button string. I don't like to case in a plastic bag as if it gets hot i notice it makes extra moisture in the bag and sometimes part of the string sits in the water. That's my method for now. Brad

[bucksnort]

I agree with megabit that your rawhide may be too wet & not properly cased. Also, I don't soap mine during the cutting, splitting, beveling stage. it seems harder to work with & gums everything up, so I don't use any soap until I start braiding. Some of the more experienced braiders will surely jump in here in the next few days & give you their thoughts, then you can try a few different things & see what works for you. If you're going to rawhide, at some point you always have to kill another cow. Good Luck. Buck

[Tanthathide9]

It may be that its too hot like curlyjo said I live on the gulfcoast of texas and we have had 100deg days and at night its almost like its rained with the humidity I can hang my raw hide on the clothes line if im working nights and come home and it feels half decent enough to cut without doing much. The reason I split before sizing because I felt like the thicker parts of hide were too wet when thinner parts were just right so ill split stretch and do it again. If I could describe what my string looks like its flared on the hair side if u were to look at the lace from the front side....I too have noticed when I soap its gumming ill try other ways. I know I read a post where rgerbitz explained his process and alan bell mentioned to soap before casing to help moisture distribute evenly I may have mistaken that for a different step in the process but ill keep going I just wanted to get some ideas...2 yrs in the making and ive yet to braid anything because I cant cut decent steing. Cudos to those who manage to accomplish this feat. It still fascinates me and I yet to give up the only help I receive is what I read on here in the books and personal trial and error so its tough but that's what keeps the fire burning. Thanks to all who have helped

[Tanthathide9]

It may be that its too hot like curlyjo said I live on the gulfcoast of texas and we have had 100deg days and at night its almost like its rained with the humidity I can hang my raw hide on the clothes line if im working nights and come home and it feels half decent enough to cut without doing much. The reason I split before sizing because I felt like the thicker parts of hide were too wet when thinner parts were just right so ill split stretch and do it again. If I could describe what my string looks like its flared on the hair side if u were to look at the lace from the front side....I too have noticed when I soap its gumming ill try other ways. I know I read a post where rgerbitz explained his process and alan bell mentioned to soap before casing to help moisture distribute evenly I may have mistaken that for a different step in the process but ill keep going I just wanted to get some ideas...2 yrs in the making and ive yet to braid anything because I cant cut decent steing. Cudos to those who manage to accomplish this feat. It still fascinates me and I yet to give up the only help I receive is what I read on here in the books and personal trial and error so its tough but that's what keeps the fire burning. Thanks to all who have helped

[bucksnort]

Two years? You need to braid something. The Good Lord hates a coward & you don't want him mad at you. How is the string cutting coming along? Buck