A cut above

Hardy Leather Knives, part of the Hardy Group, USA, are the only company in the world who offer the full range of knives for the leather making process. They make knives for the shaving, splitting and fleshing operations, as well as a number of related products including grinding wheels, strips for blade installation, reblading tools and products for enhanced knife performance. According to Thomas Hill, vice president of sales and marketing, Hardy sell to most of the leading tannery machinery manufacturers including, Rizzi 1857, Flamar, Mosconi, Turner and Poletto. 'The fact that so many famous machinery names carry our products is a great advertisement for our company and our equipment.' Approximately 80% of Hardy's sales are for shaving blades with a further 10% for fleshing and 10% for splitting. In total the company have four sites with two dedicated to the tanning industry in Worcester, Mass, and Liverpool in the UK. They also have sites in Italy and Poland. Hardy's leading products are their HSS and HSSX solid steel shaving blades. The HSSX model was launched two years ago and has become the leading product of its type. The blades are heat treated to obtain the most uniform hardness and meet OEM specifications. and are available in working widths from 300-3300mm.