Using A Compass Race - First Impressions
So I decided to get myself a compass race one night at 3am while I couldn't sleep. Seemed a good idea at the time.
This is a tool that is is used to create a groove or channel in the leather for folding purposes or keeping stitches below the surface of the grain layer to avoid wear.
It's an unusual looking tool with a striking resemblance to an actual marking compass. There are no measuring gauges on the tool, distance is adjusted between the cutter and the guide manually using the locking nut and a wood/plastic ruler at the end for more precision.
(Simple phone pics)
The tool is an old one made by J Dixons, but strangely had no sign of any kind of a blade - so essentially never used.
I set the cutting side in a padded vice and added a 20 degree edge at the bottom of the 'U' and about 0.5mm of the side with a 1000gr diamond plate, going in curved strokes toward the blade.
If you are wondering what stops the blade just going deeper and deeper into the leather, it only cuts as deep as the blade will allow owing to the area it is sharpened. Sharpening more of the side will allow the cutter to go deeper.
Stropping was quite simple. Tying some cotton string to the bench and rubbing on green compound makes for easy polishing of the inside.
Once I had that shining, I polished the outside through a grooved buffing block that I normally use for polishing awls and other grooving tools.
The race is pulled back along the leather (grain or flesh side) at quite a low angle. The area above the blade where it is blunt rides along the surface effectively regulating depth which gives a very nice consistent channel cut.
Much better than any grooving tool I've used thus far, especially as it won't clog up during use.
I threw in some stitches to try it out. Using a #8 Barnsley iron which owing to the slim profile just about fit inside the channel.
Finished with a Jerome David awl and 632 Lin Cable.
Now, I wouldn't mind having one of these Blanchard grooving tools too! I believe they give more of a 'V' cut:
@Leathercraft Masterclass I’ve got two theories on the screw, as it is not used to adjust height. It certainly is much easier to sharpen when removed from the rest of the tool. Additionally, it could be turned around and reinstalled so the tool could become somewhat of a lefty version. Good for the southpaws I guess. I wonder if they sold replacements or various sizes.