Cutting 7-8oz

[tashabear]

I have used a variety of cutters, mostly Gingham shears...

You mean Gingher, right? I don't have the Gingher leather shears, but I love and adore my Gingher dressmaking shears.

[Dynamik1]

There is definitely a learning curve and I avoided it for a long time because I didn't know how to sharpen properly. Once I learned how to make a head knife wicked sharp, there was no going back!

Thanks to all! I have heard "Head knife" several times and each time it's accompanied by an admonition that it's difficult to learn to use properly . . . if I did a SEARCH would I find a good tutorial on this site of how to use AND sharpen a head knife? I prefer to take the time to learn to use the best tool for the job.

[Gibbsleatherworks]

Ive seen a few videos on youtube on sharpening and using the head "round" knife.

sharpening

sharpening

cutting

skiving

Dont discount the box cutter with the stiff blade (not razor blade). With it cut in a couple of passes.

Sharpness is essential. Theres a barbers trick to test for sharpness, rub the edge of the blade lightly and slowly over a damp thumb nail. To a barber, if it doesnt drag its not sharp enough. FWIW

Edited January 7, 2009 by Gibbsleatherworks

[tonyc1]

Ive seen a few videos on youtube on sharpening and using the head "round" knife.

sharpening

sharpening

cutting

skiving

Dont discount the box cutter with the stiff blade (not razor blade). With it cut in a couple of passes.

Sharpness is essential. Theres a barbers trick to test for sharpness, rub the edge of the blade lightly and slowly over a damp thumb nail. To a barber, if it doesnt drag its not sharp enough. FWIW

I would never sharpen my knives with a stone used that in the first video, it's just too coarse, I'm sure the edge would be like a saw. Cutting edge needs to have finish as smooth as possible to eliminate as much drag as possible. I'd only use a stone like that on the woodheap axe.

Tony.

[Art]

Hi Tony,

I'm not sure that stone was much better than my garage floor, and from the video, the result didn't appear to be as sharp as I like it either. Some of the demonstration cutting got fingers in front of blade. He took the time to make the videos though.

Art

I would never sharpen my knives with a stone used that in the first video, it's just too coarse, I'm sure the edge would be like a saw. Cutting edge needs to have finish as smooth as possible to eliminate as much drag as possible. I'd only use a stone like that on the woodheap axe.

Tony.

[Windy]

Thanks to all! I have heard "Head knife" several times and each time it's accompanied by an admonition that it's difficult to learn to use properly . . . if I did a SEARCH would I find a good tutorial on this site of how to use AND sharpen a head knife? I prefer to take the time to learn to use the best tool for the job.

The best tool for the job is the one that when you use it , it does

the job. Some people can never get the hang of certain things

whether is using a head knife or a sharpening stone. Every person

has a different degree of mechanical aptitude and eye hand

coordination. I know men who never have managed to drive a

car with a clutch. If you can not get the hang of using a certain

knife just find one you can use. If it is sharp it will cut leather if

it is dull it will cut leather, just a little rougher finish will be left.

WINDY

[tonyc1]

I like to have my knives sharp enough to cut whatever I'm cutting in one pass. I don't like hacking the leather in 2 or 3 passes, it can get a bit ragged looking when that happens.

Tony.

[Gibbsleatherworks]

I would never sharpen my knives with a stone used that in the first video, it's just too coarse, I'm sure the edge would be like a saw. Cutting edge needs to have finish as smooth as possible to eliminate as much drag as possible. I'd only use a stone like that on the woodheap axe.Tony.

Wow, forgive me for attempting to help someone that asked for it. Thanks for chopping my legs out from under me. That was hurtful, I had assumed this was a friendly forum. Of course its always easier to find fault in someone than it is to offer a solution.

Hi Tony,I'm not sure that stone was much better than my garage floor, and from the video, the result didn't appear to be as sharp as I like it either. Some of the demonstration cutting got fingers in front of blade. He took the time to make the videos though.Art

And I expected more from a moderator.

[tonyc1]

That would be the farthest thing from my mind! There have been some excellent articles on here re. sharpening knives and stressing that they need to be sharp to do a good job. Using that type of stone just isn't one of them. I've been cutting leather and sharpening knives for 42 years and I wouldn't suggest to anyone to do it in a fashion I thought was incorrect. Practice doesn't make perfect, only perfect practice, makes perfect. You don't keep doing anything the wrong way because you'll always do it the wrong way. If there is a better way to do things you should try it, you can learn something new everyday, I know I do.

Tony.

[whinewine]

You mean Gingher, right? I don't have the Gingher leather shears, but I love and adore my Gingher dressmaking shears.

Ginghers are the finest shears out there. I got my first back in the '70s, when tandy first sold them, and have had several since. Tandy is now selling them again, after years of pushing their own imitation Ginghers, which are called "Pro Super Shears" (which, in comparison to real Ginghers, are like kindergarten scissors).