Using the G3 offset skin cutter

[harpo-the-skier]

Any tips on using the G3 offset skin cutter? I get a clean cut only about half the time.

[Stringbender]

I had good luck by cutting with the ski on the floor. I tilted each ski on edge and held it with my knees while pulling the cutter towards me. I didn't have my tuning bench set up - if I had, clamping into the vice would've been better. A faster cut worked best. It also helps to hold both the side and top tabs of the cutter in order to hold it tightly against both the edge and the base.

[SiSt]

Put the skin on properly, centered and without folds.

Cut carefully from the tip, making sure you follow the edge, staying paralell all the time. You may have to put a little extra pressure on the cutting edge side of the tool so that it is angled slightly inward as you near the tail.

I just cut a set a week ago, the whole operation took about three minutes, including a little extra trimming near the tails.

Edit: Held the ski upright while supporting it on a rug.

[marshalolson]

put the skin on the ski, straight and centered.

then pull about 1" of the skin off the base of the ski so the offset part of the cutter does not need to push the adhesive of the skin out of the way, cut it tip to tail in 1 motion.

done. perfect cut.

if you don't pull the ski off at the edges, the cutter can get deflected by the ski adhesive and pushed off to the outside, and your nice cut just went into the toilet.

[El Chupacabra]

then pull about 1" of the skin off the base of the ski so the offset part of the cutter does not need to push the adhesive of the skin out of the way

Can you clarify what you mean here?

Do you mean lift the edge of the skin off the base of the ski (so that the skin is in the air), all the way along the edge of the ski, *but* without shifting the skin sideways across the ski?

[knumbskull]

Yes, unsticking the skin from the ski so you don't have to use a lot of force with the skin cutter to push through the glue and cut the skin.

[marshalolson]

numbskull is 100% correct, as are you, el c.

thanks.

[XXX-er]

I purposely stayed hands off and watched someone I don't trust with tools use the G3 cutter and it worked perfect .... a fitting testimonial

[El Chupacabra]

Thanks - I haven't used the new G3 trimmer yet, but I have some skins I need to cut, and have the trimmer. Sounds like it's easier to use than the letter-opener style Black Diamond one, which is the only type I've used in the past.

[slobmonster]

I've employed the following method for trimming (several hundred pair of) Black Diamond skins, using the G3 cutter:

Don't remove the backing paper.

Get several of these:



and use them to hold skin onto ski, straight as you can. I usually i.e. always get the length right and install the tip loop first. Trim away. Slick as a biscuit.

If you're trimming G3 skins, I'd suggest removing the backing material (it's thin plastic) getting the length right, and instead of completely sticking on the skin, just tap it down in a few spots. Use the same clamps. Trim away.

[gregL]

It helps to put the ski in a vise so you can use two hands, one to hold the cutter and one to control the amount of skin that flops away from the ski - if too much separates, you get a wavy cut that's hard to fix (especially near the tail). The cutter obviously has to wedge itself between ski and skin, but precede the cutter with your spare hand to keep the space constant.

Not sure that it's that much easier than the BD "letter opener" style (or single-edge razor blade), but you don't have to move the skin side to side. Helps to spray the cutter each time with a little silicone spray, too. Slobmonster's method of leaving the backing paper on BD skins sounds like a really good idea.

[sb]

All good advice, G3 cutter is now my favorite. Used it twice last year. Found that inspecting/cleaning the cutting blade of any adhesive/chunks of skin material in between passes helps too.

[XXX-er]

Yeah I figure you wana clean the blade, altho it is a handy little invention I wondered how many skin jobs before its too dull or breaks ?

who has broken one, did you get hurt, so do we hate G3 ?

[sb]

I wondered how many FOREskin jobs before its too dull or breaks ?

FIFY

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[Knut]

Any tips on using the G3 offset skin cutter?

Yes: Trash it and use a normal home-depot cutting knife. Still the best method. But it involves readjusting the skin position for cutting the second edge. Still worth it.