Things I've Learned From Leather Working

[Hi Im Joe]

Why the would you try the edge by running a thumb or finger down it? Don't you always go across? At least I do.

[Troy I]

Joe, Their's one born every minute. ..LMAO

Edited July 6, 2014 by Troy I

[Hi Im Joe]

Joe, Their's one born every minute. ..LMAO

Yeah...sometimes I have to remind myself you can't underestimate stupidity.

[Sona]

"And remember kids: it´s not across the street, it´s along the road" ^^
That´s the reason I tell people to get their hands of my tools, before starting to do anything in front of them. Happily they´re normally friends who did some little leatherwork themself or who at least know (!) that my tools "could" be quite sharp, so they just don´t touch anything ^^.
But it´s similar to sharpen the tools of a friend (in my case an awl) who hasn´t the full control of it and stacks it right into his indexfinger until it stops right at the bone -.-..... since that I try to keep an eye on how the people work before doing anything to their tools

[jfdavis58]

It may sound odd but I never test sharpness on any part of my anatomy. Leather knives cut leather, test them there, on leather, same with sewing awls and swivel knives (pricking irons, needles ...).

This fellow wasn't actually a dumb *&*&^. It was a learned habit. His dad gave him a pocket knife and stone as a lad. "Always keep a sharp knife in your pocket" was the accompanying advice. His dad did the drag the thumb test so he followed along in blissful ignorance. Over the years he had developed a thick layer of scar tissues but he said he hadn't drawn significant blood in years.

After seeing me cut out the holster blank he deduced I used some trick: lots of force, some magic, something. He just didn't know much about modern tool steels and assumed it was only slightly sharper than his pocket knife. Which of course wouldn't cut leather very well if at all.

I stayed in touch for quite a long while and he made many referrals, always telling a prospective to avoid touching my tools, especially my knives like they were possessed. It would be funny if there hadn't been so much blood. I recalled the story when he made a second holster order just a couple days ago. No fuss, "I need this, call me when it's ready".

[Red Cent]

It just occurred to me, and based on my calculations, there is a leather worker somewhere in the world shouting "OH S>>>>>!!! every 4.394 seconds.

[rejerome]

Well Red Cent, I hate to disagree with you seein' as how yer packin' iron, but that number see's high to me. I was thinkin' it was somewhere in the 2's. I could be wrong....as I have been a few times in the past. Maybe twice.......................a day.

[cgleathercraft]

he ran his thumb along about 60% of the edge

^^ did that once when I was 5 or 6 with a rotary cutter in my Grandmother's sewing room. It must have made a lasting impression because my skin still crawls when I think about it.

Also, you can always remove material. putting it back is usually impossible. (measure twice, cut once)

[papaw]

Remembering the sharpness of a glover needle through deer hide and how much blood it causes from the finger tip.

[Glendon]

Ouch. I'll take almost any slice over a deep puncture any day. Those turn into an ER visit way too quick.