Need a strap cutter- where to start?

[CaptQuirk]

I've looked through posts, and found most folks saying that Tandy is no longer a decent choice. Lots of folks swear by their plow gauges, but just glancing at the prices gave me a pucker that won't be going away soon. So, where do I start? Osborne? Something else? Be gentle on my wallet

[Troy I]

Go to Bruce Johnson's Web site...he is a member here and has quit a few for sale.  

To find his site Google Bruce Johnson tools.

Edited August 31, 2016 by Troy I

[CaptQuirk]

I was actually at his site, and found the prices a bit high for my level, even the $100 ones. Actually, it was the top of the line plow gauges on his site that dropped my jaw. I'm not sure I'll ever reach that level.

[MADMAX22]

The wood ones with the razor blade in them will do alright and are cheap. Just gotta buy blades. A strop on the blade will make them last longer. I used mine for a while before I bought one of the brass and steel draw gauges. Those are nicer but you have to be good at sharpening and they are pricier. They are not as easy/nice as the plow  gauges which are the nicest/easiest IMHO but also the priciest as you found out. 

The wood ones can serve you well and they last for a while. 

Just be careful as with any of the draw gauges are a little dangerous since the blade is just sitting out there on the bar. 

[Troy I]

42 minutes ago, CaptQuirk said:

I was actually at his site, and found the prices a bit high for my level, even the $100 ones. Actually, it was the top of the line plow gauges on his site that dropped my jaw. I'm not sure I'll ever reach that level.

Bruce has some older Osborne for around $45 or so...that is the type I got from him...works great and comes with a razor sharp blade...that only needs stroping from time to time to keep it sharp.  

If you want a plough guage..you are talking big bucks.

[CaptQuirk]

Ok. So you say Osborne is the best way to go, as far as entry level? So many sites, with so many different cutters. I see the "Original Strap Cutter", which looks like the Tandy, which looks just like another one with no name. It is so confusing for a beginner.

[CaptQuirk]

44 minutes ago, MADMAX22 said:

Just be careful as with any of the draw gauges are a little dangerous since the blade is just sitting out there on the bar. 

That just means fewer fingers to stab with the awl, right? Which of the wood ones would recommend/ not recommend?

[CaptQuirk]

What is the difference between Harrison marked bars, and the Newark marked bars?

[MADMAX22]

23 minutes ago, CaptQuirk said:

That just means fewer fingers to stab with the awl, right? Which of the wood ones would recommend/ not recommend?

Oh I dont know. Imagine they are all pretty close. Heck ya could even make one if you have a few tools. I havent had one in several years. 

[Troy I]

14 minutes ago, CaptQuirk said:

What is the difference between Harrison marked bars, and the Newark marked bars?

I don't know...it might be where they were made...shoot Bruce a PM, I'm sure he will be able to tell you...when I bought mine, he just picked one out and sent it to me.

If you get one from him, be careful..I cut myself the first time I used it...real deep cut on the pad of my thumb and did not feel it until I saw all the blood on the leather and bench.

[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?

[billybopp]

I thought about a draw gauge when I was initially looking for a strap cutter, but the darn things looked mighty scary!  Instead, I bought the Tandy wood strap cutter and have used it for a few years, and it generally works OK.  I've heard folks say that "the original strap cutter" is better than Tandy's, but can't confirm that myself.  I have found that my Tandy wanders a little bit if not used carefully, and have also modified it slightly with a little piece of cardboard in the handle where the crossbar meets it to change the "toe angle" just a wee bit.  That helps pull the leather in toward the handle and helps a bit with the cutter wandering.  Also, as with most leather cutting tools, the blade needs to be sharp, sharp, sharp.  Replace and strop often.

Now that I'm a little more confident about not cutting myself, I've bought a draw gauge to try.  I recently purchased a civil war era brass and rosewood draw gauge.  It's just a beautiful tool, and the price was right at about $65.  The blade is toast, but modern blades can be had for a pretty reasonable price.  Can't wait to try it.

 

Bill

[CaptQuirk]

That was a steal! I love the old world craftsmanship, it is long forgotten.

[TonyRV2]

I'm with you Cap'n.  I love old world tools, just seems when you run across one, folks want an arm, leg and first born for the dog-gone thing.  Billybops find was great...I wonder if he'd like to make a quick $5 profit?  

[CaptQuirk]

It isn't just tools, it was everything that they did in the Victorian age. Something as mundane as a utilitarian object was done with a flourish and detail. Nothing was plain and simple.

 

I'm sorry... being a Gator fan, I should have used smaller words

[TonyRV2]

I'm not quite as dumb as you think.  I just bought the place in FL last year in May, so I'm really just unlearning to be a Gators' fan as we speak.