cutting heavy leather

[nharms]

Hi everyone! How do you go about cutting out a piece from say 10 oz leather? For example, a curved pattern that you need to cut out several identical pieces? I only have a utility knife right now but have a hard time with sharp curves. I imagine a smaller, x-acto type knife might work best?

Also, does the leather need to be cased before cutting pieces out of it?

Thanks!

Nate

[HandyAndy]

Well, I am no professional but I use a good old regular X-acto knife for cutting out curved pieces. I make slow shallow cuts until I have the piece cut out, then hit the edge with some 220 grit sandpaper if it needs it.

[PeterD]

Hi everyone! How do you go about cutting out a piece from say 10 oz leather? For example, a curved pattern that you need to cut out several identical pieces? I only have a utility knife right now but have a hard time with sharp curves. I imagine a smaller, x-acto type knife might work best?

Also, does the leather need to be cased before cutting pieces out of it?

I don't case it because I am usually cutting it from a larger side and it wouldn't work. For tight or intricate cuts I will cut a piece off a bit bigger than the pattern Then trim straight lines around the pattern. I.e. to cut a half circle I will cut four straight lines along the pattern then trim the corners formed by the straight cuts then trim those corners and eventually you end up with a half circle with no straight lines. I did this last night to form a belt end. Two slices along the end, trim the corners, even it up and you have an ovaled end for your belt. If my leather is so thick that you can't cut through it on one slice (with a good sharp head knife that doens't happen much) than I carefully make a couple of passes to start carving a groove that will be easier to follow when I start using more pressure.

[Rawhide]

Hi everyone! How do you go about cutting out a piece from say 10 oz leather? For example, a curved pattern that you need to cut out several identical pieces? I only have a utility knife right now but have a hard time with sharp curves. I imagine a smaller, x-acto type knife might work best?

Also, does the leather need to be cased before cutting pieces out of it?

I

I suggest a head knife, a really sharp one can cut any ounce leather you can buy, while being able to cut tight corners, skive, and bevel.

Marlon

[nharms]

Thats what I thought, Thanks everyone, I'm gonna get a head knife and an x-acto knife for trimming, I think they will solve my problem!

[harnessman]

Thats what I thought, Thanks everyone, I'm gonna get a head knife and an x-acto knife for trimming, I think they will solve my problem!

Hi\

I hate to say it but a head knife will give you more head aches (VBG) than it will solve trying to cut tight radiusses, especially inside ones.

There is a huge learning curve with a head knife, to start with you have to learn how to sharpen the cussed things! That in itself will keep you bussy for a while.

If you have a moderate number of repeat pieces to make first make a good outline pattern. I usually draft a pattern on my CAD program and then print it full size. Glue it to a piece of 1/8" lexan and CAREFULLY cut it out with a band saw or jig saw. Then use a scribe to lay out identical parts on your leather. I use a heavy box cutter (yea, I know, not any where near as sexy as a head knife) with a stropped blade to do most of my cutting. If you get the blade razor sharp, and they are not near sharp enough when you buy them, you can slice through 10oz like butter. When you cut tight corners you just move up to the tip, which is pointier than any part of any head knife I have ever used and a lot more controllable. With a little practice you can cut down to about 1/4" radius inside curves without much problem. Tighter curves than than I either pre-punch with a hole punch and then cut to the hole or use a industrial size X-acto knife. The craft store knives just are not big enough or strong enough to use on heavy leather.

Hope this helps.

JIm