Deckle cutter—who sells 'em?

[resummerfield]

I'm looking for a Deckle Cutter, to make that vintage deckled edge on small prints.

I would prefer the lever/guillotine type, instead of the rotary cutter, as I've heard it gives a cleaner edge. However, I would appreciate any and all comments.

 

[bsdunek]

I wanted the same thing, and could not find a lever type. I settled for deckle scissors which you can find at scrapbooking supply places. They work OK for small prints, but are hard to keep a straight line on larger ones. I just use care and fine a little weaving doesn't look bad.

 

[Curt]

Michaels craft stores sells deckle scissors and other deckle equipment. By the way, I went to school with a guy named Deckle Cutter.

 

[resummerfield]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys! But I've seen the small rotary cutters at the scrapbook shops, and I've even looked at the Fiskar deckle shears, and neither are what I'm looking for.

If you remember seeing photos from back in the 50's, I'm sure you've seen a perfectly cut deckle edge. Nice and sharp, with no fraying or torn edges (at least on a new photo!). I'm guessing that most labs in that era had some type of guillotine cutter to make that deckle edge. But I've searched and searched online, and so far I can't find anything like it.

I'm still open for suggestions!

 

[removed account4]

amazon sells rotary blades
with a deckled pattern.
i have poked around visual of the pattern
( the " victorian edge pattern" looks about right ?)
maybe a crafty store or
joanne fabric store near you has
a display with the rotary trimmer
that takes these blades ... AND the blades

if you google vintage deckle cutting blades
and hit - images - on the side
it gives visuals of what some
other products that cut the edge look like ...

metal rulers with a deckled edge to tear paper with a pattern ...

there is something called a xyron-creatopia
that is like a cheap crafter's dream workstation
that allows you to emboss and do crazy deckled edges
with a rotary trim system ... looks kind of interesting
if you are into that sort of thing.

have fun !

john

 

[George Nova Scotia]

Is this what you are looking for? I found it in a box of old darkroom stuff I picked up, a lot of it dating from the 1940s and 50s. It still has the original price on the back. Nope it's not for sale, I plan to shine it up and put it use. In all the searching I did, all I found were various rotary type cutters on the market. Sorry I can't be much help, just a tease I guess...

 

[Mick Fagan]

I have a deckle lever cutter, similar to the one in the pictures above.

It has the name ISING ORIGINAL Bergneustadt Germany, it looks about the same size as the one in the pictures, I'm guessing late fifties to mid sixties, I picked it up at a photo flea market in Melbourne some years ago for a dollar or two.

It is an annoying size as the longest piece of paper it will take is 240mm, just a bit shorter than an 8x10" long side.

The cutter has seen an enormous amount of work, but still works quite well. I use it for family stuff on RC paper, works a treat.

Mick.

 

[resummerfield]

George and Mick—Yes, that’s exactly what I’m looking for!

Perhaps I could modify a common paper cutter? On these models, the moveable blade is notched for the pattern, but is the stationary blade (on the platform) also notched to match the moveable blade? Or is the stationary blade straight, as with a normal paper cutter?

George—Thanks for the pics!

 

[George Nova Scotia]

Both the blade and the base are notched to match each other, sort of positive and negative. I think it it would be quite a challenge to modify a straight cutter.

 

[agGNOME]

You could experiment with just a straight edge to see if it gives you an effect you like. I've used purposely built 'deckle' edge tools, they work great, but so does a standard straight edge. I picked one up for this purpose at a hardware store for about 8 bucks; 48", metal flat.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

How about this?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002WKUUSI...e=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B002WKUUSI

 

[resummerfield]

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions.

The straight-edge with a deckle pattern may be the way to go. I'm also thinking I could take a "blank" straight-edge and grind the exact deckle pattern I have on some vintage photos. That shouldn't be too hard.

And if that doesn't give me the look I'm after, I'll reconsider the Fiskar shears, or the rotary cutters from the craft stores.

 

[benjiboy]

Amazon USA sell this that is cheap and ideal for small jobs http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003E6BCK4...e=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B003E6BCK4

 

[Mick Fagan]

On mine both the blade and the straight edge are contour cut. After looking at the pictures carefully I think I can safely say, it is identical to the one pictured.

This includes the splayed out corner mounts, mine is mounted onto a piece of timber.

One thing I have never noticed before, my moving blade is also in an arc, once again, identical looking as the picture.

Probably made by the same company and badged to whomever is re-selling, as one did back then and today as well.

Mick.

 

[JanK]

Hi,

Have you tried this link:
Dead Link Removed


its a trimmer like this.

regards
Jan

I'm looking for a Deckle Cutter, to make that vintage deckled edge on small prints.

I would prefer the lever/guillotine type, instead of the rotary cutter, as I've heard it gives a cleaner edge. However, I would appreciate any and all comments.

 

[lxdude]

Gee, I was thinking it was something a mohel uses...

 

[AgX]

Deckle originate from the german word Deckel wich means cover or lid.

Seemingly in early papermaking the frame that held the paper pulp on the web was called Deckel too.
As paper pulp leaked under that frame, the uneven thin edge was called deckle edge.

From this a on-purpose sharp cut wavy edge got the name deckle edge too.

 

[laser]

I saw a replacement deckle wheel for a paper cutter in my local Staples store. It was on the discontinued items table.

 

[resummerfield]

Hi,

Have you tried this link:
Dead Link Removed


its a trimmer like this.

regards
Jan

Thanks, Jan. That is EXACTLY the model I bought, and it works great!

 

[WarEaglemtn]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys! But I've seen the small rotary cutters at the scrapbook shops, and I've even looked at the Fiskar deckle shears, and neither are what I'm looking for.

If you remember seeing photos from back in the 50's, I'm sure you've seen a perfectly cut deckle edge. Nice and sharp, with no fraying or torn edges (at least on a new photo!). I'm guessing that most labs in that era had some type of guillotine cutter to make that deckle edge. But I've searched and searched online, and so far I can't find anything like it.

I'm still open for suggestions!

Still have a few boxes of Kodak Azo with deckle edges on the paper. It came that way in the box. The old papers were made that way and it was a decorative selling point in some places.

 

[pattybaptiste]

I am looking for the same thing though mine does not have to have a precise cut - I am looking for a random but subtle deckle edge and would prefer a 6-12 inch metal product. My best suggestion for you is www.ebay.com. They have a few products, none that serve my needs but I will continue to watch.

 

[Arklatexian]

People made custom Christmas cards using that Kodak Azo paper, a mask, a negative, and a contact printer. Of course by changing the mask and negative, you could use it any time of the year. The only time of the year that we sold the paper was now.

 

[resummerfield]

I am looking for the same thing though mine does not have to have a precise cut - I am looking for a random but subtle deckle edge and would prefer a 6-12 inch metal product....

I’ve tried the deckled metal edge that Mainecoonmaniac mentioned in past #11. The user places the edge over the paper and tears the sheet to deckle the paper edge. It gives a random pattern and a subtle edge, but it requires practice and is very slow. The model shown in the Amazon link is "unavailable", but there are many other models from different craft suppliers.

I did buy the cutter that JanK mentioned in post #15, and it is perfect for my needs.

 

[frobozz]

Just noticed this thread - looks like a Susis model 193 is exactly what the OP was looking for way back when, available brand new.

Dead Link Removed

Duncan

 

[Sirius Glass]

Kodak sold deckle edged paper. I do not think I have ever seen a deckle cutter.