Cutting Down Lace

[Tracym]

I still am using the spool kangaroo lace, especially from Y-Knot I find the color selection very nice and the quality pretty good. I bought 1/16 in a couple colors to do knots. But ideally I'd like to be able to cut down whatever color of lace I already have. Would the little Aussie Strander work for that? Or can anyone recommend a tool that won't break the bank? I don't seem to be very good at constructing homemade ones, so if I can buy something that isn't too expensive, I'd probably prefer that. I have the y-knot beveler, and will probably eventually buy some sort of splitter in the future.

[Tracym]

Y-Knot has this one - if I didn't already have a beveler I suppose I'd probably just get this. Still might, but I was hoping there might be a less expensive answer http://y-knotlace.com/yknot-store:21568/show/id:62162/

[Sovran81]

While there are people that can cut fine lace with an Aussi strander, I find it is more of a rough cut tool. Then trimmed to size with a resizer/beveler such as you linked to it or the cheaper ones they sell.

[Tracym]

I would intend to bevel after I cut, and I already have a beveler - would it work to do the aussie strander for width, then bevel? Or would I just be better off with the y-knot tool even though its more of an expense?

[Sovran81]

I use the Aussie strander to rough out a strand from the hide. I use it at its maximum width. Then I stretch the strand. You know what stretching does to a strand. The width of the strand varies quite a bit. Then I run it through a resizer/beveler to make the widest consistent strand possible. From this I will cut narrow fine strands as needed. Could you use an Aussie strander to resize an already cut strand? Probably, but trying to keep the strand from twisting and lined up properly would have me pulling out what hair I do have. The Aussie strander is made to cut from the hide, not run strand through.

[Tracym]

Well I can't spare that much hair either You recommend any tools in particular?

[Sovran81]

I first saw Bevan Rossacks beveler on youtube in some of berni46 vids. Really nice tool but way outside my empty pockets. I traded a local woodworker some braiding to make one out of wood and this was the result. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?app=galleryℑ=14791 I still use it. I have often looked at the resizer/beveler that Yknot sells, but just never pulled the trigger. Heck I cant even afford the roo I want to work with.

Doesnt your beveler have a blade spot for 90* cuts? That would work just fine to trim down your existing lace.

In any event you will start cutting your own lace soon so you will need a strander, and a splitter. http://www.midwestwhips.com/Tools.html Dene Willaims tools rate high by many whipmakers. There is a cheaper strander out there, Looks like a stick of wood that you clamp a blade in. Cant seem to find the shop that sells them but once again, stranders are made to cut from the hide. resizer/bevelers are made to trim that rough cut strand.

[Tracym]

I have the y-knot smaller beveler. No, it does not have a 90 degree. Sigh. If I didn't have that one, I'd just buy the one I showed above from y-knot and be done with it. I already contacted Midwest about the Dene Williams splitter, he had surgery and isn't making any more until the new year. So I am on the list for that. Cutting my own lace - well I am resisting that haha. I am not very high volume, and everyone wants a different color. So for now, the spool lace is working for me, I'm just trying to find some ways to make it easier, and a little bit better. Thanks for all the help.