Need a strap cutter- where to start?

[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.

[CaptQuirk]

[Trox]

Those modern draw gauge blades are not very good (unless you re sharpen them with the bevel on one side only, like a rudder that press the leather against the guide). Terry Knipscield makes a very good draw gauge blade, you find it in his web site. (It to wide for the HF. Osb Latta pattern draw gauge, but It will fit most other). A good blade makes the job easy and it's well worth the extra money. By the way I do have a couple original strap cutters laying around, I could sell you one cheap. I use plough gauges (and Draw gauges on narrow reins). But I'm based in Oslo , Norway so the shipping will perhaps kill the deal. I do not stop me from buying in the USA  

[CaptQuirk]

@Trox- Yeah, I think shipping would kill the deal. I appreciate the offer though

[Red Cent]

Get the wooden draw cutter and do this to it.

 

 

[CaptQuirk]

I'm thinking the dowels are there to support the leather as you draw it through?