The Original Strap Cutter

[Cumberland Highpower]

6 hours ago, Spyros said:

it better be for that price....  You can get a perfectly functional one from ebay for 1/10 of the cost.  

Besides, what do you need best build for in a strap cutter.... it's one of those things that if it works the first time, it will probably work just as well 50 years later.  It's a very simple device, IMO there are many better things to spend money on in this craft.

looks like they have one for $75 w/steel.  Still high.   Apparently they are popular.  

Some things I would pay the money for, especially quality tools I'd have to handle over and over and over.....For the next 20 years.  I'd probably pony up for the Romanov tool.  That 1/10 the cost tool referenced probably has 1/3 the build quality.   I guess that's a good ratio?  (China's Golden Rule?)

Here's another  on Etsy made in Russia that's $40 plus shipping:

 

Edited November 18, 2021 by Cumberland Highpower

[Cumberland Highpower]

5 hours ago, Spyros said:

No, I was talking about this price:

https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/621722437/leather-strip-strap-cutter-adjustable?ref=shop_home_active_4&pro=1

that draw gauge there, I don't know, if I had a grandson wouldn't let him anywhere near that thing.  Shit I'm not even sure I'd trust myself with a blade sticking out like that, looks like an accident waiting to happen.  It does look pretty though

You know, I have an old Osborne Newark draw gauge on my workbench that I use for one specific item.  I keep it in an open top box, but have probably poked myself on that blade a dozen times when not actually cutting strips with it.....

Many years ago before I had machines I would have a harness shop cut my leather, and they often cut the straps by hand rather than to change out blades on a strap cutter for a side.  Occasionally I would find evidence of someone being cut on my leather....So it's not an unrealistic worry you have there.

Those wooden strap cutters seem to be to be best for soft  or thin leather.   A draw or plough gauge is best for skirting/strap/ bridle.

Edited November 18, 2021 by Cumberland Highpower

[BeefSupreme]

I've gone through a few of these cheapie strap cutters now. I have a few thoughts that may help someone out:

The issues:

- The top nut that tightens everything down is usually the part that breaks. It will loosen slightly and then your strap gets wider mid-cut. Really sucks when you are working with expensive leather to make a belt.

- Cheap soft wood is not ideal for holding the top nut in place.

- The more often you change strap size, the more times you'll need to crank down on the nut. Each time you do this, the nut insert starts to spin and tears apart the soft wood.

Some solutions:

- Look for a strap cutter made from hardwoods.

- Or, buy 2 or 3 cheapie cutters, and dedicate each cutter to one size. Ex: 0.5in, 1.25in, and 1.5in (if you are a belt maker). Crank down the top nut of each cutter set to the right size, and then NEVER change the size again.

 

For cheapie cutters, I've found BuckleGuy's to actually be the worst, surprisingly. I really did like the design, but it was cheaply produced. Tandy's is my go-to for cheapie cutters now, though it uses thin blades only. I still need to try Romanov on Etsy.

[Spyros]

On 11/18/2021 at 4:03 AM, LatigoAmigo said:

@DearBear Weaver Leather here in the states carries this strap cutter. I don't know if they ship overseas, but they do have a website.

https://www.weaverleathersupply.com/catalog/item-detail/65-6261/wooden-strap-cutter/pr_5690/cp_/shop-now/hand-tools/knives-scissors/knives

 

That's a 100% exact copy of the Ivan one, probably made in the same factory in Taiwan, only the logo is different.  

And this model is the right way of making a strap cutter.

Read what BeefSupreme says one post up from me about the nut eating into the wood.  This is because some cheapie strap cutters are using this type of threaded nut, or similar:

This nut will absolutely slowly eat into your wood every time your tighten the top screw, until eventually it will loosen enough, and then what beefsupreme says will happen. 

What you need is this one instead, which is what the Weaver/Ivan model uses:

 

this one, every time you tighten the screw pushes the flat side of the nut against the wood.  That thing is good for decades, regardless if the wood is soft or hard.  It's just physics.

The other often overlooked detail: notice how timber on the Weaver/Ivan model is not perfectly flat where the leather strap goes to get cut, but has a slight curve just under the logo?

 

that curve is crucial, a strap cutter doesn't actually work without it, it's a relief that keeps the leather aligned and makes for a uniform cut.

Most cheapie manufacturers notice it and put it in, but some miss it.  Never buy a strap cutter without it. 

By the way, the Ivan stuff is not cheaply made (or particularly cheap for that matter).  They're not some backyard operation, they've been around 40 years, they have 3 bricks and mortar shops in Taiwan, they're part of Fiebing's distribution channel, and they have a legit R&D team that makes some cool stuff, including this one for those of you who prefer bulletproof tools:

https://www.ivan.tw/collections/cutting-blades/products/pro-strap-cutter

 

Edited November 19, 2021 by Spyros

[BeefSupreme]

Thank you Spyros! You are spot-on with those pictures of the nut-inserts. I can confirm the BuckleGuy cutter uses the bad one that spins, and Ivan/Tandy uses the larger one that stays put. 

And, the comment about the bevel/curve/groove in the wood is super important, too. I found this out on a bad Tandy model that somehow missed the beveling step during production. A simple dremel sandpaper grind is a quick 60 second DIY step to add the groove to any strap cutter that doesn't have it. Some cutters will apply the groove to both sides of the handle, other brands only do it to one side (so customer assembly left/right position is important), and sometimes it just gets left off on accident. But, like Spyros said, the curve in the wood is a must have on the side facing the leather.

I need to research Ivan's more. I thought they were an extension of Tandy for some reason. Their websites are similar and many of the Tandy branded machines (ex: belt tipper) are 100% the same.

[Spyros]

26 minutes ago, BeefSupreme said:

I need to research Ivan's more. I thought they were an extension of Tandy for some reason. Their websites are similar and many of the Tandy branded machines (ex: belt tipper) are 100% the same.

I'm gonna place an order soon directly to their website.  I've bought some of their stuff before through their australian distributors and of course I paid triple the price, but the actual items were excellent (including this strap cutter).  Especially I want to check out their hardware and shipping because the combination Buckleguy+DHL is starting to get a bit exxy.

They also make this thing which I need:

https://www.ivan.tw/collections/ivan-leathercraft/products/jumbo-punch-set

and this thing, which I want:

https://www.ivan.tw/collections/ivan-leathercraft/products/adjustable-leather-razor-plier

Edited November 19, 2021 by Spyros

[jcuk]

2 hours ago, Spyros said:

I'm gonna place an order soon directly to their website.  I've bought some of their stuff before through their australian distributors and of course I paid triple the price, but the actual items were excellent (including this strap cutter).  Especially I want to check out their hardware and shipping because the combination Buckleguy+DHL is starting to get a bit exxy.

They also make this thing which I need:

https://www.ivan.tw/collections/ivan-leathercraft/products/jumbo-punch-set

and this thing, which I want:

https://www.ivan.tw/collections/ivan-leathercraft/products/adjustable-leather-razor-plier

Spyros you may want to check local hardware stores or Amazon Australia for wad punch sets may work out cheaper for you.

https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=wad+punch+set&rh=n%3A5159226051&ref=nb_sb_noss

These are what Abbey England sell and no i did not get mine from them, got half decent set from a local hardware store for a third of the price.

https://www.amazon.com.au/Maun-Metric-Punch-1000-MAUWPKM/dp/B0001P0E14/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=wad%2Bpunch%2Bset&qid=1637344942&s=home-improvement&sr=1-8&th=1

Hope this helps 

JCUK

Edited November 19, 2021 by jcuk

[Matt S]

I love my Stockton-made strap cutter, after years of struggling with Ivan and other Far Eastern-made looky-likeys that cut poorly, never cut straight, or just plain self-destructed. While at first glance they look the same the devil is in the detail.

When I got my first Stockton about 5 years ago it was £30 -- double the price of the cheapies -- but readily available through a few UK outlets. Even at that price it was great value considering how many times I'd paid that over and over buying crap ones that ended up in the bin.

A couple years ago I realised how much I rely on this tool and wanted to buy some backups, only to find that the original manufacturers seems to have disappeared, and all stock sold out. I even spoke with a large UK retailer/dealer (who now sell the cheapy) about getting the original one reproduced. They'd looked into this themselves when the supply dried up but decided against it.

I've now managed to get hold a few backups second-hand, so the pressure's off. I've been tempted to set up to make a few batches from some nice hardwood incorporating some product improvements I've come up with. Then I remind myself of the 60+-hour weeks I do already and that I'm setup for leather not wood...

[jcuk]

50 minutes ago, Matt S said:

I love my Stockton-made strap cutter, after years of struggling with Ivan and other Far Eastern-made looky-likeys that cut poorly, never cut straight, or just plain self-destructed. While at first glance they look the same the devil is in the detail.

When I got my first Stockton about 5 years ago it was £30 -- double the price of the cheapies -- but readily available through a few UK outlets. Even at that price it was great value considering how many times I'd paid that over and over buying crap ones that ended up in the bin.

A couple years ago I realised how much I rely on this tool and wanted to buy some backups, only to find that the original manufacturers seems to have disappeared, and all stock sold out. I even spoke with a large UK retailer/dealer (who now sell the cheapy) about getting the original one reproduced. They'd looked into this themselves when the supply dried up but decided against it.

I've now managed to get hold a few backups second-hand, so the pressure's off. I've been tempted to set up to make a few batches from some nice hardwood incorporating some product improvements I've come up with. Then I remind myself of the 60+-hour weeks I do already and that I'm setup for leather not wood...

Got my first Stockton one when i first started out could not afford a Plough gauge then and which were only made for orthodox, me being a south paw this was a godsend to  me 25 + years ago and guess what still going strong now and have cut some real heavy leather with it no problem, and no i don't have a replacement but do have the metal one which is ok but it does slip out of measurement quite easily also do have a plough gauge (orthodox,)  but still like to use the strap cutter just easy to use left or right handed.

[fredk]

6 hours ago, BeefSupreme said:

I need to research Ivan's more. I thought they were an extension of Tandy for some reason. Their websites are similar and many of the Tandy branded machines (ex: belt tipper) are 100% the same.

I think they are the one & same

a. I've been getting promo emails from Tandy and Ivan lately. I only signed up for the Tandy. Both promo emails come together, one after the other and the Ivan offers hardware et cetera for projects in the Tandy email

b. I bought a lot of stamping tools last year. They were in plastic self-seal bags with a card insert. Both the tool number and the barcode on the card insert were the same for Tandy and Ivan for the same design stamp