swivel knife guide

Boothill Bob · August 07, 2012, 04:46:02 PM

Howdy pards..
I have a swivel knife guide that I got from Tandy. I used it 3 or 4 times before it cracked. No I got a tip from FB, want to sheare it with you pards
http://www.goodsjapan.jp/item/stencils-rulers-measurers/kyoshin-elle-leathercraft-bras/lid=29748353

Marshal Will Wingam · August 08, 2012, 12:33:21 AM

Thanks for the information, Henrik.

I'm on my second plastic one. The first one lasted a few years and the second is holding up fine so far. I've often thought it would be good to have a metal one. Obviously they aren't as good as one would think. Maybe the thing to do is make my own out of stainless or something. I need to mooch some time on a mill to do it, though.

Slowhand Bob · August 08, 2012, 06:17:57 AM

Yes, the brass one has been showing up on Ebay a lot. There seems to be a whole line of stuff coming out of Japan, some looks really nice and some looks exactly like the Tandy versions. Seems I stay to broke from buying the ~~junk~~ antiques to spend my money on nice tools!

hoehandle · August 08, 2012, 09:46:57 AM

Dumb new guy question: Is that what you're supposed to use for the lines around the edges on holsters? I have been using a stitching groover, sometimes turning it around and using the round edge to make the lines. They don't look right compared to the work I see on here. Thanks for any pointers!

Marshal Will Wingam · August 08, 2012, 11:39:37 AM

HH, one way I use the guide to cut the first line of my border closest to the edge of the piece. That way it's evenly spaced from the edge all the way around. Then I build the border from that. The arrow in this image shows that first cut.

hoehandle · August 08, 2012, 08:17:19 PM

Very classy design on that rig Marshal, thanks for the info and the pic. I'll give it a whirl next time.

Marshal Will Wingam · August 09, 2012, 08:42:08 PM

Thanks, HH. I got the idea from a holster on pg 95 of Packing Iron.

Boothill Bob · August 09, 2012, 11:43:10 PM

MWW, what border stamp is it?

Marshal Will Wingam · August 10, 2012, 09:52:42 AM

Henrik, the center is a 1/4" wide V- shaped bevel I made for the job. The inside of the V is the edge. It makes one line. You could take a standard 1/4" straight bevel and file the edge into the V. You just taptaptaptap along with it. I beveled the two cut lines first then followed with the V. It's fairly easy to do but a little tedious. I made several practice runs on a scrap to get the feel. The dots on the outside are done with an over stitch wheel.

I played with it a little and you can also walk it back and forth to make a zig-zag pattern. You don't need a mallet to do that. Next time I want a similar look, I'll make another one just for the zig-zag with a file handle on it so I can hold it easier. The sides would need to be angled in a little so you don't mark the outside of the cut lines.

Boothill Bob · August 10, 2012, 01:04:40 PM

Its beautiful. Do you have a photo on that V-bevel? I have modified some stamps to. The latest is a 104 backgrounder that I filed down so I can use it in tight places

Marshal Will Wingam · August 10, 2012, 02:02:05 PM

Very cool. Henrik. I also modified a 104 the same way. I guess we all need to get into tight places with those.

I can't find the V-bevel I made. Next time I need one I'll have to make another. Here's one made the same way with a rounded face. It does the same thing with a curve instead. Just file a V in yours and you have it.

Boothill Bob · August 10, 2012, 02:17:46 PM

Thanx pard, have to trye it..

bedbugbilly · August 11, 2012, 09:57:55 AM

Will - just wanted to say that your holster looks great! I love the pattern on it.

I've been trying to locate some brass rods in different configurations to make some stamps. I'd like to find some various "square" stock as well as some "round", etc. I've been looking in hobby shops as they sometimes have it but haven't had any luck. My next stop is to look at Lowes, Home Depot, etc. for something that will work. I know that i can get it in steel but I figured the brass might be easier to file, shape with a dremel, etc. and it certainly would be hard enough for leather stamps.

I haven't picked up one of the swivel knife guides yet but will when I get back to AZ where i do my leather work during the winter. It has to make the border carving easier I'm sure.

Marshal Will Wingam · August 11, 2012, 09:15:53 PM

BBB, I use bolts for my stamps unless I modify an old commercial one. Bolts work great and are fairly easy to file into something. The steel can possibly blacken the leather like vinegaroon does. I will probably start making them from stainless bolts. Those won't hurt anything and the common hardware ones are easy to file, too. I've toyed with the idea of dipping them in touch-up bluing to put a coat of oxidation on them. Here's a pic to show you how a bolt works. This one is a bolt that I found all rusted up in a bucket. Not a problem, just file past the rust.