want to make very thin leather lace

[Beaverslayer]

Jim,

If you have some that has an un-even edge, it is most likely only on the one edge, and one edge is straight. What I have done is re-pull the lace through with the un-even edge the one that gets cut by the razor. You will need a bit of practice on this as well, as you have to put index finger pressure on the lace so it follows the even cut side. When you pull the lace through, pull it so that you are putting pressure on the lace cutter core. Basically away from the razor edge.

I hope that you get the drift of what I'm saying.

As to projects....Where ya want to start???? I myself, lace everything, never use a sewing machine. My hats, belts, purses, vests, you name it, I lace it.

Ken

[candyleather]

Excellent tutorial! Thanks

[SmilinJim]

Ken, you put your foot in it.

I'm a hat person. I look dorky in a ball cap. Probably in a hat too, but heck, who cares. Got a hat project you don't mind sharing? I've had some ideas but that's as far as I got, oldtimers ya see.

Keep on Smilin

Jim

[Beaverslayer]

Jim,

If you PM me your snail mail address, I can send you a pattern or two of the hats I make, along with instructions.

I don't have a scanner so I can't do it that way.

Also, if anyone else is interested in hat patterns, and instructions...just PM me with your snail mail address, and I'll send them out.

Ken

[Chitin]

How does one cut 1/4" lace with one of these? Mine only seems to have two slots for the razor...

[Beaverslayer]

Chitin,

The cutter has two slots for the blade, and it also has 4 grooves for the leather to run through.

What you need to do is to place the razor in the furthest from the core slot, and use the second from the top groove. This should give you 1/4" lace.

Depending on how much tension you apply, will also determine the width of the lace to some degree.

But practice...practice...practice.

Ken

[braider]

I've used one of these lace cutters quite extensively so I'm going to add a couple of tips that I've learned about them.

I only use 1/4" laces for my work. Because of that I've filed the narrower slots larger - so I can use more of a single blade for 1/4" laces. Something else that I've done, to make those slots a bit smaller again, is wrap some thread around a slot.

Most often I use a Jerry's Stripper to cut laces. After doing that, I take the outside two uneven laces and run them through this lace cutter.

Sometimes I take a hammer and flatten the lace point out a bit to get it through this single lace cutter.

I hope this info is of use. ...Dave

[Gremlin]

One more tip for any type of lace cutter - always, always, always use sharp blades.

My fav lace cutter is the thumb held aussie lace cutter. It allows you to start the lace wide and narrow it as you cut. Excellent for cutting the lace to braid whips.