Straight Border

[Uncle Chan]

All,

For what seems forever, I've been trying to figure out how those simple straight borders are put on holsters, belts, etc.  I've heard many say that basically, what you do is use your leather knife to cut a line about 1/8 inch wide, then bevel the line.  I've done that dozens of times but nothing looks finished.  Every one has that "cut" and beveled look.  I wish I had a better way of explaining it....

uncle Chan

[Silver Creek Slim]

Like what is on the top of these?
BTW, click on the pic and it will enlarge.

Slim

[Marshal Will Wingam]

To cut a wide border evenly, even around corners, with a swivel knife there is an adjustable guide you can get that will screw onto the blade and give you a good cut at whatever distance you care to set it. See the first photo.

I use two different types of tools for this. There is an edger for creasing a bead at the edge of the leather to give it a more finished look. See the second photo.


I'm not sure where to get these, but most good leather tool suppliers should have them. I got mine years ago from Tandy.

[Uncle Chan]

Slim, that is exactly what I'm talking about.  Did you use a gouger for that?

Marshall, thanks for the information.  i do woodworking and could easily fabricate the swivel knife guide.  As for the creaser, i have one of those and must be doing something seriously wrong because I can't seem to get it to look nice and finished.  Perhaps my leather is too dry?  too wet?  I just don't know.  i've a big project I'm working on for a friend and I want it to look finished and semi-professional.  Guess I'd best keep working at it. 

uncle chan

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Uncle Chan, howdy!

There is another tool (the name escapes me) that Tandy & C.S.Osborne sells and has an adjustable blade that cuts a thin gouge.

I just looked in my 2006 Tandy Catalog #180 and they don't show that tool.  The 2 I have were given to me.  They are Osborne tools.  They're also not listed in an old Mast (bought out by Weaver) catalog.

Sorry I couldn't help more.

Well, Rats!  I just checked Osborne's website and they no longer list the tool.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Double Rats!

I just went and looked at my tools.  They're NOT Osborne tools and aren't marked with the maker's name!

Well, I wasn't any help, was I?!

Mayhaps I can give you a chuckle for bothering to read my worthless post.

A city feller was sitting in the shade near a dirt farm road.  Along came a farmer dragging about 25 feet of heavy chain.  The city feller asks:  "How come you're draggin' that chain?"

To which the farmer replied:  "Didya ever try to push one?!"

[Uncle Chan]

Steel Horse Bailey, sir, you've more than redeemed yourself with that one! 

Thanks for the assist!

Perhaps you are thinking something like this?  http://www.csosborne.com/NO128.HTM

or like this one from Tandy?

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Perhaps my leather is too dry?  too wet?

It should be the same wetness you would use for tooling. Damp through, but still firm. If you bear down on it and go over it a second time, it should almost polish the edge when it creases it. Practice on a few scraps and you'll get the hang of it.

[E.R.Beaumont]

Howdy Pards.

Uncle, Pard if you are talking about cutting a grovr there is a tool called a, stitch groover, or something close.  If you just want to scribe a line evenlu around your border use a pair of dividers.  One leg on the work piece and one leg up against the edge.  MIght want dividers with a screw adjustment.  I hope this helps.
Regards Beaumont

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Howdy again, Uncle C!

No,  the tool is similar to the tool in the picture that Marshal Will posted.  His is a swivel knife with an adjustable arm so you can cut a border using the "arm" as a spacer that keeps it even.  You put the tool "arm" on the edge of the leather, then it cuts a very even border gouge.  My tools are essentially similar, but opposite in function.  The "arm" on mine has a very small cutting hole and the center shaft of the tool rides along the outside edge, which makes it all the same spacing. 

I'm just a beginning leather crafter, but I have LOTS of experience "sidewalk supervising" my buddy who is the saddle maker pro.  I have helped him a bit, but it's been on the metal working end of it.  (I polished out some brass "Ds" and fancy conchos on a very expensive [$4500 plus!] saddle he made for one of his customers and have done other minor metalwork for him as well.)

Back when he had more time, he also built my gun rig. I have a cartridge belt w/ R&L side holsters; a set of Slim Jims that the right side can either hang straight as a strong side holster, or canted for a crossdray type; cuffs; SASS badge holder; and other projects that he crafted for me.   He made a nearly identical copy for display purposes of the Menea holster that is featured on the front cover of "Packing Iron."  After a couple or 3 years, he finally broke down and sold it to me.  This was not long after 9-11 and the bottom pretty much fell out of the business, so he needed the money.  His business (and others - especially in this area) STILL haven't recovered well.