Teach me...creaser use

[Rascal Ralph]

I'm going to buy or make a creaser. Never had or used one. But admire the pieces you've shown with creased edges. Do you do the creasing while the leather is cased like stamping or carving? (I'd imagine so).Is it done after rounding the edge? Do you crease edges that have been stitched? Also wondering how much pressure, and is it neccesary to go over the crease several times? Appreciate your advise! Rascal Ralph

[Marshal Will Wingam]

You're absolutely right that the crease is done when the leather is cased. If your creaser just puts a crease parallel to the edge, then you will need to bevel it, probably after making the crease. If you have a creaser, or edger, that rounds the edge, too, there is no need to bevel it. Mine are the latter type. With mine, I still need to bevel the back side and that is done after the leather is dry. See the photos below.

Regarding pressure, I put a fair amount of pressure on the tool. I also go over it several times if needed. When I stamp next to the crease, I usually need to go over it again to re-define the crease.

[Kaboom Andy]

Hy Marshall,
which measure you use coz , on Hanson site, I found five different sizes from #1 up to #5......................

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[outrider]

Hi Marshall:

I am in total agreement with your statements..I also bevel the back side...what size creaser are you using (the one pictured)?

Outrider

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I use a #3 for edging the leather. I also use a #1 when I want a crease next to the tooled design where there's a swivel knife cut next to it. My #1 edger didn't have a sharp edge so I had to clean it up with a small file to get a crisp line.

[Rascal Ralph]

Thanks Marshal !  Explanation was exactly what I needed. Sure like this site for learning, everyone is willing to share their knowledge. "In-depth" questions need that kind of response. Of coarse someone could say "go read a Stoleman book for the answers", but I enjoy the comraderie here! RR. 

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Of coarse someone could say "go read a Stoleman book for the answers", but I enjoy the comraderie here! RR. 

That's what I like, too. There are many who have good information that just can't be found in books. I've learned a lot, here.

[Kaboom Andy]

and me too.........TY Marshall!!!!

[outrider]

Marshall:

Books are good for the initial theoretical learning curve, however the practical or "hands on" is where you really learn the craft.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Books are good for the initial theoretical learning curve, however the practical or "hands on" is where you really learn the craft.

So true. I bought the Lucky 7 kit for my start with leatherworking years ago. It was a great guide for me when I didn't know anything. I just started in and found what did and didn't work for me. Where the books didn't tell me what to do, I just experimented until I found something that worked.

[Nolan Sackett]

Traditionally creasers were heated when using - not hot just warm - I use a candle or alcohol lamp. The heat makes it take the crease much better - just be sure and wipe off any carbon formed by the flame before marking and the leather should be damp not sopping. When using I still bevel the edge first. The better creasers such as made by Osborne and other have the guide "leg" made slightly longer which helps immensely in .
The best creaser IMO is a locking pair of dividers - Osborne (and others) make them with different types of replaceable tips - some tips will cut a groove and others will just crease. The narrow guide "leg" in my experience follows the edge better especially on tight curves such as the throat of a holster.

[outrider]

Rascal Ralph:

I am quite sure Marshall will agree with me ...get some scraps...and practice...practice..practice.  When you get comfortable then try a project...start off with a simple one..you will learn more and more each time you do a project.....

Outrider

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Outrider is right, practice, practice, practice. I never do anything new without practicing on a test scrap to see what the result will be first.