Pattern Cutting Question?

[jt1]

This seems like it would be an easy thing to do, but it is giving me more trouble that anything else. What tool are you guys using to cut out your leather after your pattern is complete, I have not been able to get a good, clean cut that is parallel. I am using a razor knife with good sharp blades on a rubber backing board and cannot seem to to get an even up and down cut, mine are angled one way or another and when the leather is glued together the edges are not even and when I try to even them up, I usually just make it worse. This is even worse in the curved areas. What side are you cutting from? Using 7-8 oz leather, should I be cutting in one pass? Thanks for any help.

[Duke]

when I do my holsters, I use 8-9 oz and use a utility knife. after all my tooling is done, and ive glued the item together, I stitch it then sand the edges even, then bevel them.another way to do it, is to only cut one side out,andwhen you fold it over, use the side you cut out as a guide to cut the rest out.a sponge sanding block or a belt sander works good to even edges.

[BillB]

If your are referring to the pattern of the leather pieces, I use a rotary knife to cut the leather into the pieces that will be assembled into the final product. If you are referring to the design pattern that will be tooled into the leather, then I use a swivel knife with a carbon steel 1/4 inch angled blade.

[Hilly]

While I was using a utility knife, I got results much like you are describing. After stitching, I just sanded the edges till they were even.

I have since bought a head knife, and am able to effortlessly cut through 8-9oz leather in one pass, with straight edges (no undercutting). It cuts curves very easily - even pretty tight curves. Just have to tip the blade back onto it's point to do curves.

Head knives take a little practice and demand a LOT of respect, but after buying one, I will never go back to cutting with a utility knife! If you plan on continuing with leatherwork, consider purchasing a head knife. They cost a few $$$, but you won't regret it.

[paris3200]

I am using a razor knife with good sharp blades on a rubber backing board

I agree with Hilly that a head knife is the way to go, but cutting on a rubber backed board is not helping you. Your knife is probably cutting heavily into the rubber board. Try using a hard plastic board like the kind cutting boards for the kitchen are made from. I seem to recall a post not to long about suppliers for cutting boards. A quick search should turn something up.

Jason

[ferret]

Utility knives are good for opening boxes, rotary knives make good pizza cutters, for cutting leather you need a good sharp head knife. Once you've used one you'll realize why they've been essential since the middle ages.

[Duke]

I agree with the head knife suggestion. I have one I bought a while back, but the handle needs to be shortened since I have smaller hands, and then sharpened the rest of the way.its an Al stohlman brand knife and I know that they dont come ready to use.

[scott]

i generally put my patteren down before i cut it out with my swivel knife then cut my borderes twice nice and deep. it's a little more pain in the butt and more time but gives you really nice borderes. your swivel knife won't cut all the way through but any kind of a knife will lay in the cut. hope that helps

[mikeymoto]

After all the raves about the "head knife" let's get a tutorial on how to use it effectively. I picked one up a couple weeks back but I haven't yet found a good grip or technique that makes it as easy and effective to use as the praise here suggests. I have not spent a lot of time on it, because I have a utility knife that works ok and orders to get out the door.

My first few thoughts after I brought the head knife home and sharpened it up were that it looked like a great way to cut my own wrist.

Edited April 9, 2008 by mikeymoto

[Rawhide]

After all the raves about the "head knife" let's get a tutorial on how to use it effectively. I picked one up a couple weeks back but I haven't yet found a good grip or technique that makes it as easy and effective to use as the praise here suggests. I have not spent a lot of time on it, because I have a utility knife that works ok and orders to get out the door.

My first few thoughts after I brought the head knife home and sharpened it up were that it looked like a great way to cut my own wrist.

Here's the forum link on How to use a head knife.

This is pretty much how I use mine.

Marlon