gilding question

[CalicoFraming]

I've been trying to cut the gold whilst its still in the book, using a bit of card in the back to provide resistance, and variously using a gilders knife, craft knife, razor and even piece of aluminium drinks can as cutting tools, but whichever I use, there's a problem with the gold snagging and tearing rather than cutting cleanly. Has anyone had any success with this?
Thanks!

[Roboframer]

How about a good pair of v sharp scissors?

[CalicoFraming]

Thanks for the suggestion. In fact, scissors can be handy if you know you're going to want the same cut on each leaf in the book, you just cut right through the book. Less useful if you want ad hoc cuts made.

The way I've seen it done on youtube videos is using an improvised thimble, made from a drinks can, strapped to the ring finger which is swiped deftly across the exposed leaf in the book and Bob's your uncle. I've even ready about using your fingernail to do it, but it's neither has worked for me.

Using the cushion and gilders knife isn't a problem, it's just that using the leaf straight from the book is a major time saver if it can be done successfully. I'd really like to know what the knack is to this.

Any other suggestions, gilders?

[JFeig]

The key to cutting gold with any sharp tool is to have it nick free. All blades have to be stropped after sharpening to remove nicks. They also have to have no oils on the blades. Wiping the blades with old tissue from a book of leaf will add small particles of rouge to remove any residual oil and make them slip through the gold..

[CalicoFraming]

Thanks Jerome, really useful.

[Jo the gilder]

I only ever use the gold straight from the book it's a waste of time taking it out! I have tried every way there is and for me the best way is with a gilders pad (I use a smaller pad got it in NYC from sepp leaf) gilders knife ( u want it clean and sharp but not to sharp that cut the paper as that's a pain the further u get through the book) working from the back of the book so that u are not cutting on gold lay gold and flick to next sheet just takes some practice

[CalicoFraming]

Hi Jo, so are you putting your small pad inside the gold leaf book at the back, or behind each rouged page as you go?

[Jo the gilder]

Hey no I put the pad in my left hand between middle finger and index finger (so pad is resting on middle finger and index is on top) holding the book between thumb and index so at back of book cut and lay then flick to next sheet cutting on top of page that has been used I have attached a pic

[JFeig]

These picks can be sharpened and stropped to make a great cutter for gold.

http://dx.com/p/stainless-steel-guitar- ... MgodIlgATQ

[CalicoFraming]

Guys, thanks!