Edge geometry on a leather knife?

[TheEdge01]

I have never used a leather cutting knife. I would imagine that it would need a more blunt edge as a push cutting tool, but I’m not sure. Any advice on making a leather cutting knife would be appreciated. I’ll be making something like this……

 

[eric brinkerhoff]

It needs the thinnest geometry possible.

 

[TheEdge01]

It needs the thinnest geometry possible.

Thank you! I’m glad I asked because I was thinking the opposite.

 

[J. Hoffman]

Not sure what you mean by blunt edge. A full convex grind is what you are looking for.

 

[D-weaver]

Thin geometry and if there is any edge chipping issue, address them smallest bit of the edge that you can either by buffing/stropping or something else relatively gentle.

The ability of the knife to penetrate without having to push leather apart that much is going to make a huge difference in its effectiveness.

 

[D-weaver]

Thank you! I’m glad I asked because I was thinking the opposite.

If you have offcuts that you can round into small knives (like utility knife size) to get a feel for which cuts leather more easily, this is a good time to use them if you'll be making more than one knife.

if you have customers, they'll migrate toward whatever they have that's physically easiest to use/sharpen/doesn't develop unusual flaws.

 

[TheEdge01]

Not sure what you mean by blunt edge. A full convex grind is what you are looking for.

Something like a pizza cutter edge.

 

[Ken H>]

.040" is a good thickness for a leather rounding knife. Here's a good thread on another forum that discusses Round knives with very knowledgeable folks. Especially note Dave Ferry's in post #11, and other folks. There are a couple very good patterns shown also. Here is one I made using one of the patterns using .040" AEB-L.

 

[Hubert S.]

.040" is a good thickness for a leather rounding knife. Here's a good thread on another forum that discusses Round knives with very knowledgeable folks. Especially note Dave Ferry's in post #11, and other folks. There are a couple very good patterns shown also. Here is one I made using one of the patterns using .040" AEB-L.

Did you mean to link this thread?

 

[TheEdge01]

.040" is a good thickness for a leather rounding knife. Here's a good thread on another forum that discusses Round knives with very knowledgeable folks. Especially note Dave Ferry's in post #11, and other folks. There are a couple very good patterns shown also. Here is one I made using one of the patterns using .040" AEB-L.

That’s gorgeous!

 

[TheEdge01]

Did you mean to link this thread?

Thank you

 

[Ken H>]

Ooops, I did forgot to post the link to the thread, and yes, that is the thread I meant to post. Thanks.

 

[Horsewright]

Well heck I was gonna link ya to that thread but....what they said.