A .083" square point does not flex to follow a curve — it goes where you aim it. That is a feature for straight cuts and scribed lines and a limitation on contours; plan the cut as a series of straight draws and short controlled arcs, not one sweeping freehand pass.
02
Progressive strokes, never one forced pass
Rubber and dense sheet grip the edge. Re-draw the same line, deepening a little each pass; forcing a single stroke dishes the cut and dulls the edge on the abrasive fillers in belting and gasket rubber.
03
Grip and straightedge
Full fist for power draws; index finger down the spine for a scribed line against a steel straightedge (keep fingers clear of the guide edge). On a bench, cut over a sacrificial board so the square corner has something to ride into at the end of the stroke.
04
Edge care — this is a maintained knife
High-carbon steel takes and re-takes a keen edge on a stone; that is the entire premise of the heritage wing. Hone when the draw starts to drag, dress a rolled edge with a fine stone or a few strokes on a mill file held square, and wipe the blade dry after cutting wet rubber or damp gasket stock — high carbon will bloom rust where stainless would not. A knife that lives on the splice bench should get a stone at the start of the shift, not when it stops cutting.
Asked at the counter
BUYER QUESTIONS ANSWERED BEFORE THE CART, NOT AFTER THE RETURN
Why .083" and not the thinner blade?
Stiffness. Belting and dense gasket grip and deflect a thin edge; the heavy gauge holds the scribed line under two-handed pressure.
Do I need the finger guard?
For high-force splice work or under a shop safety policy, yes — buy the 60510. For occasional bench cutting, the bare handle is fine if you keep your body behind the cut.
Can it cut foam?
It can, but it wedges; the hollow-ground 60180/60480 are the foam knives.
Will it rust?
It is high-carbon steel — keep it honed and wipe it dry after wet rubber or gasket work.
Can I splice a wide belt with it?
For belts wide enough that a 4" edge means stopping across the width, step up to the 8" 60780/60810.
