Cutting In A Straight Line

[gotafly]

Hello all. So as I stated in my introduction, I am new to leather work. I have read most of the sight, books, watched videos and have gotten my mind around the steps needed to create an item.

My actual hands on learning are: Gluing two pieces of leather together to stitch. I have trained my hands to not put down the awl and pull at an even tension to produce evenly spaced, attractive stitches. I can glue town pieces together neatly. So I have some progression.

EXCEPT, I can't cut a straight line! I have a good cutting knife, a round knife and a disposable craft knifes. I keep my knifes sharp; my round knife will shave hairs. I have a good work surface, cutting mats, straight edges, t-squares, yet every time I go to cut something it seems like the guide moves just a bit and my line is off, just enough, the edges don't match up. Should I buy a bench sander cut larger and sand my way in, or just keep practicing?

I am open to any sage advice.

Best,

Michael

[TacticallySharp]

I had the same problem really bad when I started. I was shown that I should lightly score the line once or twice before tryin g to completely cut thru the piece. It has worked for me. I cut most of my lines with a small round knife made by J Cook. Rarely use anything else.

[gotafly]

Thank-you, that makes sense, as I am pushing down so hard I inevitably push agains my straight edge just enough to move it a bit.

I will give it a try latter.

Best,

Michael

I had the same problem really bad when I started. I was shown that I should lightly score the line once or twice before tryin g to completely cut thru the piece. It has worked for me. I cut most of my lines with a small round knife made by J Cook. Rarely use anything else.

[Glendon]

That was my solution as well. Scoring the line just enough to see using the straight edge gets you set. Then remove the guide and just let your blade follow the started line. Best advice I can give is don't rush. If you try to rush through the cut, the blade might slip, but if you take your time it will follow the shallow cut easily.

[mlapaglia]

I have a steel straight edge. I use 3-4 small C-clamps and clamp over the leather to the table this way it does not move when I cut the leather. Works for me. After about 7 months I am able to cut a line straight or curved. I use a roller knife for straight and a utility for curves. It just takes a lot of practice.

[Sylvia]

Thank-you, that makes sense, as I am pushing down so hard I inevitably push agains my straight edge just enough to move it a bit.

I will give it a try latter.

Best,

Michael

Do make sure your blade is really really sharp. The phrase "pushing down so hard" makes me cringe and also makes me think your blade isn't sharp enough.

[Tree Reaper]

I use a clamp as well on longer cuts, doesn't hurt to have a third hand.

[gotafly]

Thank you all. The scratch awl to make a line, then carefully cutting with one of my knives worked like a dream. I still need practice and patience is a learned behavior for me. I just spent the better part of the night practicing cutting, grooving, marking and stitching. Is there a right of passage badge for piercing a thread? I pierced my first one today; thanks to the knowledge on this forum I just slowly put things right and kept on going. One day I am going to use these skills to make something useable. In the mean time I am still studying.

Best,

Michael

[Glendon]

I've been doing this for about a year and I still have trouble spearing the thread. Even though I know I should because most shortcuts in this work really do hurt the final product, I tend to not bother.

[Tina]

Me too has one of them metal rulers, more than a yard long.

I have glued rubber (around 1/16 - 1/8 inch thick) on the backside and with not to much pressure the ruler stays in place when cutting, easy as apple pie :-)