What Do You Cut Leather With?

[BDAZ]

I use a rotary cutter, which I strop regularly, for suede.

Cya!

Bob

[Tejas]

I use three tools:

For straight cuts -- an Olfa 45 mm rotary cutter on a self-healing 24" x 36" Olfa rotary pad

For curves -- Kai 7250 scissors

For some fine detail -- Olfa utility knife with various exchangeable blade styles

[Red Cent]

I have found that the cutting surface is important. I cut most all my leather on poly board with a utility knife. Much "slicker" than the self healing pads (which I have). I don't have the jerky movements since very little of the point buries in the board. 'Course sharp is the word.

I have a Tandy head knife that was given to me. I cannot get it sharp. Guess I need to spend the bucks to get some good steel.

[Tejas]

Still very much a novice, and in addition to the cutting surface being important, an edge guide for straight cuts seems important. Among several tools, Omnigrid edge guides that apparently are designed mostly for quitters are my favorite.

[Matt S]

George Barnesly single point knife. Cost about £13 + tax and needed sharpening but miles better than a utility knife. New utility knife blades may seem sharp but put them to a strop and you'll understand a new meaning of 'sharp'. The main problem is they just aren't a convenient shape for cutting comfortably, intricately or safely in my experience.

[Troy I]

Utility knife. .I tried a round knife, but could never get the hang of it..they have a learning curve that I could not overcome.

[Alexis Sofield]

I use three tools:

For straight cuts -- an Olfa 45 mm rotary cutter on a self-healing 24" x 36" Olfa rotary pad

For curves -- Kai 7250 scissors

For some fine detail -- Olfa utility knife with various exchangeable blade styles

Will this rotary cutter cut 12-14oz?

[Tejas]

Will this rotary cutter cut 12-14oz?

I don't think so. I have to press real hard on much thinner leather.

I also have an Allstar model AS-100K powered rotary cutter that might. I've cut other materials that thick, but not leather. I use the Olfa cutter with a straight edge and can get straight, vertical cuts. The powered cutter has a foot that runs about 3/8" under the material, and getting real straight cut would be difficult, at least for me.

[Alexis Sofield]

I don't think so. I have to press real hard on much thinner leather.

I also have an Allstar model AS-100K powered rotary cutter that might. I've cut other materials that thick, but not leather. I use the Olfa cutter with a straight edge and can get straight, vertical cuts. The powered cutter has a foot that runs about 3/8" under the material, and getting real straight cut would be difficult, at least for me.

Ok. thanks for fast reply. I saw another user mentioned that he was able to cut that thick with rotary cutter. Maybe a coupe of passes? Oh well. Thanks again

[BDAZ]

An aside..there are various "upgraded" blades for utility knives including blades made in England and Japan. These tend to produce sharper edges which last longer.

Cya!

Bob