Looking for Leatherworkers’ Insights on Cutting Dies – Free Keychain Die Offer

[Leo1995]

Hi everyone,

I’m a cutting die supplier specializing in custom dies for leatherwork, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on using cutting dies in your projects. I want to understand what leatherworkers truly need and how I can improve my designs.

• Do you prefer pre-made dies, or do you usually get custom ones?
• What are the most important factors you consider in a good die? (Material, durability, compatibility with machines, etc.)
• Do you find dies with stitching holes useful, or do you prefer marking and punching them yourself?
• What die-cutting machine do you use most often? Clicker presses, roller machines like Sizzix, or something else?

To get direct feedback, I’m considering sending out free keychain cutting dies to a few interested leatherworkers. You’d only need to cover $3 for shipping. Would this be something you’d be interested in? I’d appreciate any insights you have!

Looking forward to your thoughts and experiences.

 

Edited 9 hours ago by Leo1995

[Dwight]

Leo . . . my dies are simple . . . pre-made . . .  and I have not yet come to a need for a custom die

Very simple . . .  as far as my most important factor(s) . . . 1st:  it has to cut . . . no bulling around . . . just cut the thing and 2nd:  it has to be substantial enough that it won't get messed up if ol clumsy hands me drops it or something.  Other than that . . . I'm good

Have never needed stitching holes . . . one has a rivet hole  . . .  the other does not . . .  it is no big deal to me to pop the rivet hole in the second one

I use a hydraulic jack press . . . 

May God bless,

Dwight

[Leo1995]

Hi Dwight,

I appreciate your insights! Keeping things simple and effective is definitely the way to go.

About stitching holes—I’ve noticed that they can be really convenient for beginners or for quick projects, but for those who prefer a more refined look, like the saddle stitching style seen in high-end leatherwork (think Hermès-style), pre-made stitching holes might not be precise enough. Hand-punched holes tend to give a cleaner and more controlled stitch pattern.

By the way, I’m sending out some free keychain cutting dies to get feedback from different leatherworkers. if you're interested, I’d be happy to send one your way!

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!

14 minutes ago, Dwight said:

Leo . . . my dies are simple . . . pre-made . . .  and I have not yet come to a need for a custom die

Very simple . . .  as far as my most important factor(s) . . . 1st:  it has to cut . . . no bulling around . . . just cut the thing and 2nd:  it has to be substantial enough that it won't get messed up if ol clumsy hands me drops it or something.  Other than that . . . I'm good

Have never needed stitching holes . . . one has a rivet hole  . . .  the other does not . . .  it is no big deal to me to pop the rivet hole in the second one

I use a hydraulic jack press . . . 

May God bless,

Dwight

[NatesLeatherGds]

7 hours ago, Leo1995 said:

I’m a cutting die supplier specializing in custom dies for leatherwork, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on using cutting dies in your projects. I want to understand what leatherworkers truly need and how I can improve my designs.

I use both - I had some custom dies made for a project I did - these were well made by Texas Custom. I also have some standard circle and square coaster dies. So it may be (at least for me) a mix of both custom and standard. 

As for having stitching holes - the idea is awesome - but would have to test. (If you have one - I will test it ) I have never used one with these. I use an arbor press and have used a modified button press. (Hobby - funds do not exist for me for a clicker.) 

Important factors to me are strength, sharpness and inner punch out hole. Probably in that order (again to my thinking).

Dies for production items frankly are extremely useful to me. 

And yes...I will gladly take a keychain die and pay the 3$ - thank you  

Good luck.

 

[nstarleather]

Almost all of my dies are custom.  In general I get either .75" high but when I go really big for my double headed clicker I do 1.25"

 

I currently have two suppliers one who makes wood filled steel rule dies which are generally less expensive and another who will do either all metal welded or fully forged. 

In the past my wood filled supplier was cheaper but now steel welded has only been slightly more expensive for simple dies. 

I don't hand stitch so we don't need holes usually but when we do they tend to add a lot to the cost. 

Depending on what I'm "asking the die to do" as in how much stress it's going to be under (thick material, narrow area, complex bends, etc) I've found some wood filled dies don't hold up well at all. 

I don't make a whole lot of dies for own products, these days 90% are for when I have a wholesale account asking for a product.