The Secret to Cutting Leather

[AA3JW]

Other than just a lot of practice what is the easiest way to get good clean cuts on leather? Mine always seems to get "Wavey". 

 

[AlZilla]

In my limited experience, practice and very, very sharp blades. I try to use the same blade too long and even try stropping it.

Also, I use a guide where ever I can.  Multiple passes with minimal pressure seem to give me better control.

[battlemunky]

Even pressure from a straight edge along the cut line.

[Grumpymann]

Sharp blade. Was having a hell of a time till I started using a strop.

[Leescustomleather]

7 minutes ago, AA3JW said:

Other than just a lot of practice what is the easiest way to get good clean cuts on leather? Mine always seems to get "Wavey". 

 

There is a youtube channel called Hank strange and a video called "Carjacker holster" The man that does the leatherwork is named Andrews and he has a unique method to cut thick leather easily, making tight corners cleanly and accurately. I have never seen this done elsewhere and this is the method I use all the time now

[Gezzer]

27 minutes ago, Leescustomleather said:

There is a youtube channel called Hank strange and a video called "Carjacker holster" The man that does the leatherwork is named Andrews and he has a unique method to cut thick leather easily, making tight corners cleanly and accurately. I have never seen this done elsewhere and this is the method I use all the time now

+ 1  best way for myself

[Dwight]

First rule, second rule, and third rule are sharp knife, sharp knife, and sharp knife.  

I use mostly a drywall utility type knife . . . and when I put a new blade in it . . . first thing I do is strop it.  Factory razor blades are fairly dull.

Learn to hold your cutting tool 100% straight up . . . NEVER lean it over to one side or the other.  You will  be tempted to do so in a curve . . . especially a tight one . . . DON"T do it.

Also start out by making shallow cuts . . . knowing that the first cut will be your production cut . . . and the others can follow it fairly easily if you take your time. 

Last thing . . . don't try to cut your leather for belts, purses, holsters, knife sheaths, and things like that for a "final" cut that is pretty . . . fancy . . . etc.  That is why you have a disc sander over in the corner.  Your "nicky" cuts you made need to be sanded . . . they will look better . . . edge better . . . and finish better.

Until it becomes second nature . . . practice these three things with all your scrap leather.  It won't take long until you will be cutting like a pro.

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited August 25, 2022 by Dwight

[Handstitched]

22 minutes ago, Dwight said:

First rule, second rule, and third rule are sharp knife, sharp knife, and sharp knife.  

Forth rule: keep your fingers away from the edge of the ruler 

Words of experience.

HS

[fredk]

On thin leather, up to about 2.5 mm thick use a rotary knife.

[Dwight]

1 hour ago, Handstitched said:

Forth rule: keep your fingers away from the edge of the ruler 

Words of experience.

HS

Just had to ask . . . is your name because you like stitching stuff by hand . . . or you got the stitched hand . . . having the hand too close??

Sitting here looking at my left thumb . . . got it too close to a fairly sharp Kershaw the other day.  Barely missed the stitched hand moniker.  Any deeper and it would have been a sewing job.

May God bless,

Dwight