cutting gold leaf

Quoted text begins.RE: "do I need a gilders knife?"
End of quote.

Norman,

A slightly dull blade actually works better than a razor-sharp one if you
are cutting on a gilder's chamois or leather cushion (something with with
a bit of give to it for a cutting surface works better than a hard
cutting surface).
I have made a knife out of a stainless steel kitchen spatula (as used for
cake icing) by sharpening one edge and after honing, I run the edge
lightly over some 600 or 1200 grit paper to take the razor edge away.

Another method I use is to cut the leaf into small pieces between the
leaves of tissue with shears.

Good Carving to You,

Don

http://www.dondougan.homestead.com/indexdd.html