Need a strap cutter- where to start?

[CaptQuirk]

Ok, thanks fellas.

[Dwight]

I have used one like this for long enough that I can't remember how long.  Still works great, . . . 

May God bless,

Dwight

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-DRAW-GAUGE-Professional-Leather-Strap-String-Belt-Cutter-Hand-Cutting-Tool-/111727918535?hash=item1a0380bdc7:g:s8wAAOSwLVZVtcXI

[CaptQuirk]

@Dwight- is that one you have Chinese made? If not, who is the maker?

[Colt W Knight]

I use the same one as Dwight. Works good enough for me. Two things 1) Don't over tighten the thumb screw, it can break the casting. 2) I use utility knife blades in mine so its easy to keep sharp. It doesn't cut well dull.

 

[MADMAX22]

For $45 you can get a osbourne from Bruce and you dont have to worry about breaking it when you tighten down the thumb screw. For $120 you can get one of the nicer older ones that will probably last another 100 years if ya take care of it. 

 

I may be kind of odd in this it seems but I prefer a good solid blade in my tools that I can just sharpen and get back to work without being on the hook for buying new blades all the time. I know this opinion varies. 

I just cut out 40 belt blanks from HO 8oz and some heavy CMX tonight with my plow gage. I repositioned the blade after about 20 strips and will give it a stropping after I am done. It will be ready to go again the next group I cut out. 

[Dwight]

10 hours ago, CaptQuirk said:

@Dwight- is that one you have Chinese made? If not, who is the maker?

I had to go out to the shop and look, . . . it is not cast, I don't think, . . . and it is an Osbourne.

My cousin refinishes antique furniture, tables, etc. . . .  it was laying in the bottom of one of those pieces that he got, . . . and he just gave it to me.

I break the drywall knife blades in half, . . . use it till it gets dull, . . . pitch it.  

I tried one of the wooden ones once, . . . not my cup of tea.  But this one, . . . I think anyone can use it.

The worst thing about it is sometimes it is a bit tough starting the piece through, . . . I just grab a pair of pliers in my left hand, . . . grab the leather between the gauge and the blade, . . . and away we go.

May God bless,

Dwight

[CaptQuirk]

Thanks for that Dwight. I am at odds with buying Chinese goods. Have a hard time finding US made goods, but still look for them over imported stuff. The one you posted the link to is not only made in China, but shipped from there too. Not going that route, cheap or not. I guess it is down to calling Bruce for an old Osborne, or get "The Original Strap Cutter".

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

It all depends on what you are going to cut. The wooden strap cutter is ok for lighter weight leathers, and seems to be easier for beginners to use. A draw gauge works better on heavier weight leathers; if you try to use the wooden strap cutter on heavy skirting or harness leather, you'll likely crumble the blade, especially if you hit a raw spot. I still keep a wooden strap cutter around for saddle strings. Everything else gets cut with a draw gauge, for which there is a bit of a learning curve. If Bruce has them for $45 with a sharp blade, that is a pretty decent price. Actually, I'd get one of each.

[CaptQuirk]

@Big Sioux Saddlery- I usually work with 6-10oz leather, no reason for me to go that heavy. And I really can't afford one of each. I wanted a Blonde and a Redhead, but couldn't afford both of those either... Anyways, I am a beginner. That said, if I had to choose between one or the other, which strap cutter am I likely to mess up the most leather with?

[CaptQuirk]

And here is another thought, can either style of cutter do curved straps?