Cutting Woes

[gregintenn]

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1297965&kw=hobby+knife&origkw=hobby+knife&searchId=58192990283

I use one of these with satisfactory results.

[particle]

I use a round knife. If you look at my website, I posted a free "Hows it Made" video a while back (couple years ago?). It's embarrassing for me to look at now, but I had the hardest time cutting that leather (Herman Oak 8-9oz). Since then, I've learned a few things...

First, I thought my round knife came sharp from Weaver. I was wrong... Sure, it was sharp (sliced my finger open as I was trying to remove it from the packing material), but the edge wasn't polished enough and had too steep of a grind on it. I spent hours on my diamond stone cutting the edge to a more shallow angle - it cuts much better now! It's probably a butter knife compared to some others here, but it seems to be working pretty well for me now.

Second - it's much more difficult to cut the leather if you rough-cut the pieces away from the hide. Now, you may not have the luxury of a large layout table (mine is 3' x 8'). For me, I find it much easier to cut my pieces directly from the hide because I have more edges to hold with my non-cutting hand.

Last, check out this video - it might give you a better idea about what "sharp" is...

[Guy W]

anyone ever try these black and decker power scissors? any chance they could "cut the mustard" so to speak?

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2364577

[Steven Kelley]

anyone ever try these black and decker power scissors? any chance they could "cut the mustard" so to speak?

http://www.acehardwa...oductId=2364577

In a previous job, we started using those to cut very tough polycarbonate sheeting about 20mils thick. They replaced using stanley knives, which resulted in about 15 knife cut incidents a year. They worked very well for most things, but they won't cut leather thick enough to make holsters. They might cut 2-3 oz, but I doubt if they would cut anything thicker.

[Spinner]

Paul over at LeatherWranglers.com has a couple of great videos (as well as some great knives) of how to sharpen, strop and use a round knife. Definitely worth checking out:

http://leatherwranglers.com/tips.html