The Secret to Cutting Leather

[MikeRock]

Dwight,

My first thought, and a laugh, too.  I've 'hand stitched' myself a few times.  Dental floss, a needle and needle nosed pliers... 

[Handstitched]

5 hours ago, Dwight said:

is your name because you like stitching stuff by hand

Yes, I enjoy hand stitching very much. Don't wish to off topic here  , but my Mother did  put a machine needle through her finger once on the machine that I now own, Pfaff 60, very mindful of that every time I sew.. I also  cut the top of my left thumb with a newly sharpened tenon saw in school. I could see the bone move...I then  went a funny colour and nearly passed out. 

Back on topic.

 

11 hours ago, AA3JW said:

what is the easiest way to get good clean cuts on leather?

Apart from a nice sharp knife, just take your time, don't rush . Once the piece is cut out, any 'wavy' lines  can be cleaned up either by sanding or bevelling. 

Have fun...and stay safe .

HS

[jcuk]

This may be of some use to you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUgZjMPw0AA

Hope this helps

JCUK

[toxo]

it also depends on the type of line you're cutting. Straight lines - almost any knife will do as long as it's sharp and used with a strait-edge. If doing a curve I use a knife with a point and raise the butt so I'm just using the point. If you lower the butt the forward edge of the blade will try to straiten out the curve if that makes sense.

[toxo]

12 hours 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

Interesting cutting style.

[Leescustomleather]

26 minutes ago, toxo said:

Interesting cutting style.

It takes a little practice like anything, but works very well, especially for tight corners and radii. Also no going back over the same cut and doesn't require as much hand strength.

[chuck123wapati]

I've found lifting the leather off the work surface makes it very easy to cut, i draw the lines pattern then as much as possible i hold the leather up off the table with one hand and cut.

[Leescustomleather]

2 minutes ago, chuck123wapati said:

I've found lifting the leather off the work surface makes it very easy to cut, i draw the lines pattern then as much as possible i hold the leather up off the table with one hand and cut.

Yeah, seems like that would have a similar effect, The only difference would be not having your hand near the cutting edge with Sam Andrews method, cutting leather is tough and anything that makes it easier or more accurate helps

[chuck123wapati]

11 minutes ago, Leescustomleather said:

Yeah, seems like that would have a similar effect, The only difference would be not having your hand near the cutting edge with Sam Andrews method, cutting leather is tough and anything that makes it easier or more accurate helps

Always have it behind the blade not in front lol. Leather laying on a flat surface compresses the fibers into the blade, my guess is because cows are round not flat, causing drag when one side is lifted or even let hang over a table edge for example abates the issue. 

[Leescustomleather]

12 minutes ago, chuck123wapati said:

Always have it behind the blade not in front lol. Leather laying on a flat surface compresses the fibers into the blade, my guess is because cows are round not flat, causing drag when one side is lifted or even let hang over a table edge for example abates the issue. 

I was only offering his video as a method that helped me and might help others. Perhaps posting a video of your method would help even more.