Pattern Cutting Question?

[Studio-N]

Hello. I know that many people recommend a head or round knife, which does work very well but there is a learning curve in becoming proficient with it. I prefer to use an industrial scalpel, such as:

Industrial Knife

One major difference of course is that you cut on a PULL which most people are already comfortable versus cutting on a push. If find it works well on all leathers. The straight blade that comes with it is for use as a paring knife, but the hooked scalpel blade works for straight lines and curves.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[mikeymoto]

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

This is pretty much how I use mine.

Marlon

I've tried reading that page before. When I open the link there is no content there!

[Rawhide]

Hello. I know that many people recommend a head or round knife, which does work very well but there is a learning curve in becoming proficient with it. I prefer to use an industrial scalpel, such as:

Industrial Knife

One major difference of course is that you cut on a PULL which most people are already comfortable versus cutting on a push. If find it works well on all leathers. The straight blade that comes with it is for use as a paring knife, but the hooked scalpel blade works for straight lines and curves.

Just my 2 cents worth.

I have one of those as well, but two things I don't like. One, it usually takes more than one pass to cut through thick leather effectively (meaning without pulling the leather). Two, I almost carved my self up with it, because I was pulling it toward me. I think you are most safe when pushing a sharp edge away from you than pulling it toward you. It doesn't take long to get used to a head knife. The learning curve is how to sharpen it.

Marlon

[Pip]

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.

The only thing Ive managed to cut so far with mine is me!!!!! I am definately doing it wrong.

[Denise]

I've tried reading that page before. When I open the link there is no content there!

Mikey,

I tried the link and it took a while to come down on my dial up. I had little colored boxes for a while and figured that it wasn't working, so I went and checked e-mails and when I came back it had finished downloading. Please try it again and see if it works. If not, let us know and one of the people who knows more about computers than I probably ever will can check it out.

Thanks, Denise

[mikeymoto]

I tried the link and it took a while to come down on my dial up. I had little colored boxes for a while and figured that it wasn't working, so I went and checked e-mails and when I came back it had finished downloading. Please try it again and see if it works. If not, let us know and one of the people who knows more about computers than I probably ever will can check it out.

I got around to checking the page source and saw it was made using MS Office. The page does not load using Firefox on Linux or Windows. You apparently must use Internet Explorer. Boo on that, but I finally got it opened, so yay on that.

[Timbo]

I agree with alot of what has been said. A head knife is good, and I have yet to master mine. The rubber backing is definitely going to cause problems. When you say razor knife are you talking about one that has the break off to get a new point type of blade?? Or are you talking about what most people refer to as a box cutter with a retractable double ended blade?? The latter is what I have used more than anything. One trick to keeping it up and down is not to hold it the same as if you were opening boxes with it, with it clenched in your fist with the blade up. That hold makes it hard to follow your lines and you have to be over and above what you are cutting, which makes it impossible to get a consistent straight up and down cut. I hold mine like a pencil, but with 2 fingers on top and two below with the thumb on the side. This way I can get closer to what I am cutting and follow the lines better. It is also easier to hold it straight up and down this way. And obviously you'll be pulling it toward you. Never lift it out of the cut either, if you can help it.

But also like everyone else has said, I too use a belt sander to even it all up. I allow for this on most of my patterns. Be careful with the sander as it is a whole nother accident waiting to happen. (scrapped a really nice holster with the belt sander)

Tim

[mikeymoto]

Be careful with the sander as it is a whole nother accident waiting to happen. (scrapped a really nice holster with the belt sander)

Tim

Hehe, been there and done that!

[rbrooks]

it1,

I agree with many of the replies I just read about your problem,so I would like to put in my two cents worth. I`ve been in the saddle making business for 35 years or so and I can tell you there is no correct way to cut leather.

First off your utility knife works perfect except in some really sharp, tight curves. Like anything else its how you use it. If you have a cutting table

lay out your pattern on your leather and cut by drawing the knife toward you, but pull with your body and do not pull with your arm. I stick the blade down through the leather and pull with my body while keeping my arm,hand and knife in a locked position. you can pull that knife through any thickness of leather that way. If you shove your knife to far down into you rubber mat it will be impossible to cut your leather evenly. Keep that knife vertical as possible.

Head knifes and round knifes are great knifes too but they do take a lot of practise. always push away from yor body wit these knives unless you wish to loss some part of your anatomy. You can also stick the blade down through the leater and roll it along a straight line for straps.

If you are putting two pieces together for sewing, oversize the bottom piece, sew it and then trim off the exces leather.

Hope i`ve been of some help. Good Luck! rbrooks