help-cutting thick leather

[vector]

Hi all,

Been playing with various projects and keep stumbling at the cutting time.

I work out a design say for a multitool knife sheath, using inkscape or some other pc cad system and print out the shape. Including the fold over retainer and belt holes etc.

I dampen the leather and draw over the template thus marking the leathers outer extremities. then I start to cut.. so far straight lines are fine I use a ruler or something to cut against. But hand cutting with a stanely knife or surgeons like craft knife around corners just never looks nice. As in symmetrical with the other side.

I also notice I tend to have trouble maintaining a "square cut" thru the leather. Sometimes under cutting the underneath for example.

Im working on 3mm (8-9oz). I have tried a light score, followed by further heavier scoring runs until it cuts thru and often get slithers of leather where the blade hasnt perfectly tracked the previous score. I have also tried one single heavy cut all the way thru and thats not always pretty either

Do I need a better knife?

a better proceduer

or just more experience

I have had great success with using a bottom layer of 3mm and then moulding a thinner top layer like 1-2mm around the knife. I use a fret saw to cut a mold out of wood that the knife fits into.Case the leather, wrap the knife in cling film, put the leather over the knife and clamp the wood mold over the top. Next day wood off and there is a perfectly formed leather fit around the knife. I then glue n sew that onto the thicker base. But once again the cutting or trimming to finish off the excess top and make it all look symetrical just defeats me. Looks like a 2 year old has been at it with sicsors

[kevinhopkins]

Hello Vector,

It's possible that you might need a better knife... I'm sure we all have our preferences, but in our shop, we actually use a silly little exacto knife for a majority of cutting. But we also have an old 5 in one for cutting large heavy things, and of course, there's times when the ol' utility knife is used. But the main deal is having a sharp blade. Keeping it buffed on a wheel with rouge on it makes a huge difference. And on tight curves, sometimes it's good to use a round drive punch where it gets tight. Depending on what you're doing, sometimes it can be helpful to have the edge of your leather off the edge of your workbench, and cut from the bottom. Like i said, we'll all have our preferences, and I'm sure there's a lot more ways and ideas out here...those are just a quick few.

Kevin

[DG Leather]

i use a rotary knife...but man it dont cut so well.....What kind of exacto knife would a guy use?

All exacto/utility knives i know suck.....I used to frame houses and they would even break on plastic lol

[rdb]

Buy and learn to sharpen a round/head knife. Then learn to use it. It will be the best leatherwork investment you make.

[MADMAX22]

Buy and learn to sharpen a round/head knife. Then learn to use it. It will be the best leatherwork investment you make.

I agree, once you learn to sharpen them and keep them sharp they are great. Some people dont like them or dont like using them so its up to the person.

Mine I finally learned how to sharpen it and it glides thru 10oz leather with ease.

[westernblingbling]

I am fairly new at this, and I too was having problem with the Stanley and craft knives. What I discovered that works much better for me is to case my leather and use my swivel knife to make the first cut at least half way through. Then I use a craft knife with a good sharp blade. My cuts are much cleaner and I find I have much better control over the swivel knife. And the added bonus is it goes much faster too.

[vector]

.. case my leather and use my swivel knife to make the first cut at least half way through. Then I use a craft knife with a good sharp blade.

Thats a neat tip Ill give it a try then look at round heads..

What about trimming it all after?

Say ive glued and sewn two pieces together and want to trim the offcuts of leather back and close and parallel to the stitching.

I was thinking of using a dremel and sanding drum to finish the edge but it just seamed to burn.Im concerned a knife will slip into the work area.

Im so used to scraping or filing or sanding wood to get perfect fits...this leather is a challenge

[Randy Cornelius]

I remember the days when I used a utility knife to cut leather, bought a round knife, learned to use it and keep it sharpe, never looked back, still have a utility knife, use it to open the boxes my leather and hardware come in..

I was looking at Utube videos the other day and some saddle maker was on this video and he was saying how a utility knife was the only way to cut leather, said some use a round knife but he did not like them. I think the only ones that do not like round knifes are the ones that are afraid to learn to use one and keep it sharpe, I think I have 5 or 6 now.

Randy

[vector]

ok Il bite, are there any links to tutorials on how to use and or sharpen a round knife?

[Randy Cornelius]

Yes, maybe someone can find them and post a link, not sure I can but I will look