In leathercraft there will be projects that you work on where a specific tool is required for a specific task. These tools are designed for one function and a very specific use and that’s all they are used for. Today i would like to discuss a tool that maybe you haven’t heard of, a tool that has many uses and is incredibly versatile – It’s the Round or Head knife. Specifically uses of a Round knife.
A round or head knife is a handheld tool with a curved crescent shaped steel blade and a wooden handle. The crescent shaped blade has 2 pointed ends which gives the user flexibility when the blade is angled or rotated to cut, skive, shave or bevel leather of different thicknesses.
If you would like to know a bit more about the round knife please read on for an in depth look into it’s many uses, how its used, how much it costs and what are the benefits of buying one.
What other tools are required when using a round knife.
- A Cutting mat is required when using most cutting tools. There are a variety of different cutting mats available, whether it’s a Poly-cutting board, pro cutting board, rubber cutting board or self healing mat. When skiving or edge bevelling with the round knife you will need to use a hard surface below your leather. Something like ceramic tile or marble or glass
- steel ruler – This will act as a guide when cutting straight lines in your leather.
- A scratch awl to trace out the line that you are going to cut – especially if its a curved line. A template can also be used as a guide when you cut into your leather.
- Lastly you will need leather- you can use any type of leather when using a round knife.
What are the main functions of a Round knife
The prime function of the round knife is for cutting leather but it can perform various other tasks. Here is a list of some of its other functions:
- Can be used for cutting straight lines in leather.
- Can be used for cutting gentle and tight radius curves in leather.
- Can be used for skiving or thinning leather. If you are new to leathercraft please check out my post about the skiving tool.
- Can be used to bevel leather edges – should you wish to refine/ bevel your edges. See my post on edge bevelling.
- Can be used for small short cuts in leather. As the blade is curved and fairly long you can rotate or roll the blade downwards in your hands to get a straight short cut.
Handy Tip: For a beginner it takes a bit of practice to master using a round knife. With 90% of cutting tools you pull the blade towards yourself when cutting. The round knife is the opposite to this, you push the blade through the leather and away from your body. This technique gives better control and a cleaner neater cut. A sharp round knife will cut smoothly and cleanly and won’t crease your leather when cutting. Have a look at this video from Tandy Leather showing the different techniques and uses of the round knife.
How to cut straight lines.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The round knife blade is extremely sharp. Be careful when using or learning to use it. Don’t let children use it without adult supervision. Always work slowly and methodically when using knives.
- Firstly place your leather on your cutting board.
- Next mark out the line you would like to cut out on your leather. You can use a steel ruler, a template, a scratch awl as a guide or use freehand when you make your cut.
- Once you have this line marked out hold the round knife with the curved blade facing forward (away from your body) with 3 or 4 fingers of your hand wrapped around the handle. It’s important that you use your other two fingers to rest on the side of the surface of the blade. Not on the blade cutting edge, but just on the surface face of the blade. These two fingers will act as a stabiliser when cutting and prevent the blade from twisting in your hand.
NOTE: It’s the same grip you would use when holding a table tennis bat, see the video above for more info.
4. Place the the tip or pointed edge of the blade on your leather and push the knife into and through the leather and tilt the blade gently forward as you cut. This allows for more of the curved blade surface to cut the leather. If you are a beginner practice on a spare piece of hide before you attempt the real cut.
How to use a Round knife as a skiving tool
Firstly, it’s important to use a hard surface below your leather when using the round knife as a skiving tool. You can use marble, ceramic tile or plate glass or quartz or any other tough hard surface. A hard surface is required to prevent the pointed edge of the blade digging into your cutting mat when skiving.
Hold the knife at about at an angle when you skive and gently push it into the leather area you wish to skive. It’s important to mark out a line on your leather so that you don’t skive away too much. Create a boundary line so you know where to stop your skiving. When skiving push the knife away from your body.
How to use the Round knife as a edge beveller.
Using the same process that you use for skiving, tilt your round knife at 45 degrees and push it along the edge of your leather in order to carve out a nice bevel along the edge. You will need to work on a hard surface when bevelling in order to avoid damaging your cutting mat.
How to use the Round knife to cut curves.
The Round knife is so versatile you can cut almost any radius curve with it. You use a very similar method when cutting straight lines, but when cutting curves you keep the knife perpendicular to the leather and only use the tip or point of the knife when cutting. Don’t tilt the blade like you do when cutting straight lines.
Cutting curves can be done on a regular soft cutting mat. First mark out your curve line on your leather with a template, scratch awl and proceed to cut your curve.
How to protect and care for your Round Knife.
Round knives are super sharp and when not in use should be stored away and out of reach of children. There are covers or sheathes that are available so that they can be safely stored and protected when not in use. This will help prolong the life and sharpness of your blade as well as prevent nasty accidents. In order to get clean smooth cuts it’s important to always keep your round knife as sharp as possible.
Most leathersmiths sharpen their round knife every time they use it. Sharpening your knife is a procedure you will have to get used to. Please check out my next post in a few days where i will be discussing sharpening your round knife.
What to consider when buying a Round Knife.
- Budget – Round knives can be a little bit on the expensive side, but you need to weigh up the fact that they have a variety of functions and therefore to the job of a few different tools.
- Function – They have a variety of different functions which make it a very appealing tool to own.
- Ease of use – it takes a bit of practice for a beginner to get used to, but its not hard to master.
- Lifespan – if cared for properly they can last for years and years.
What thickness leather can you use the round knife on.
As long as your knife is properly maintained and sharpened you should be able to cut through the thickest leather without any issues. The round knife is better suited to working on slightly thicker leather.
How much does it cost.
Prices vary depending on the quality and the manufacturer. Check out this link to Amazon if you would like to see some of the prices for round knives. You can also try the regular leather supply stores such as Tandy leather or Weaver leather supply. Prices range from about $35 – $90
Conclusion
The Round or Head knife is an excellent cutting tool that can perform many different tasks. It is a versatile tool that takes a bit of time to master but it is an essential tool that every leather workshop should have.
Hope you found the above post useful on the uses of a round knife and you have managed to learn something new at Leathercrafttoolbox.