Cutting Really Long Strips Of Leather

[ajones17]

Hi guys,

Here's a novice question for you. I've just received a request for an 8 foot leash. My hides are just barely that long at their very longest.... so I'm wondering what's the best way to cut long strips of leather in general - like 15 feet out of a hide this size? Is it possible to use a strap cutter and a circle of leather to make long straight strips? I'm using 9-10 oz latigo or bridle leather. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

[Randy Cornelius]

I have cut 10' riens out of a 8 ' hide before, round off the but end of the hide so that when you cut you will cut straight down the hide and then around the but. Hard to explain with out a picture. Not sure how you would get 15 without splicing the strips together. I made some 20 and 30' tracking leads for dog handlers and that is how I do it. You will have to taper both ends and glue and sew the ends together to make long leads. Hope this helps.

Randy

[paprhangr]

a lady asked me if I can make a 12 ft. leash. how do I do that?? would it need to be cut from a complete hide?

where can one be purchases?

[Chief31794]

You can always splice two lengths together to get really long lines. Skive each of the ends to a feather edge (about the same length for the skive as the width of the strap or 1" whichever is larger) Then contact glue them and stitch them down each edge. It shows up in the line but cows only grow so big.

Chief

[oltoot]

Cutting a big circle out of the hide then cutting around the edge is about the only way. 1" strips will straighten out if you start with true circle and not an oval. You will be committing the hide to future use. When the circle gets small, you will have trouble getting strips to straighten out. I would try to convince her that such an tall order will have to be spliced or be real expensive. The lines for the Budweiser Clydesdales are spliced (multiple times when you get past the wheel team) The Twenty Mule teams of Death Valley fame were spliced, maybe she can be convinced. Then you will have to learn how to make a good splice. It seems to me that there would be a place of minimal stress where a splice could be placed. Oh btw, if you could get the whole hide of a really old buffalo bull, they would easily be 15' across. Such a hide would cost about as much as a good, late model used car.

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Funny I just got a request on this. Like Toot, and Randy, when I get an order for one of these, I use the "Wheel" method. You can use a piece 36" in dia to start, and after 2 cuts around you will have approx. 17' of single piece 1" strap. Wet thoroughly, straighten with some stretch, let it dry, oil and go on.

Bob

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

I make 20 ft driving lines for teams all the time. Three cuts, 2 splices is the only way to do it. That's for the wheelers; like Toot said, more splices if you start stringing them out. Bob, do you use a double bend to get a 36" circle? And what type of leather. Since driving lines are made from heavy harness leather, I imagine it'd be tough to get the curl out of it.

[DavidL]

This may be useful to splice together two strips.

[Geneva]

It is possible to cut 30' staps from one piece of leather.

Using the method I will try to explain commits the hide to this type of strap so here goes.

Use a large hide 20 to 25 sq. ft.. Cut all of the right angles off of the hide you will have a large oval. Latigo tends to stretch when used for this. I would stick to the English bridle.

A creaser works best to straighten the stap that is all there is to it. Or if all else fails sew the pieces together.

Good luck.