Cutting Patterns From Hermann Oak From Hell

[MADMAX22]

Its not the knife that is the issue usually. I have had this happen with WC also. If I remember from posting this same issue a few years ago is that if the hide stays in the tanning solution a little too long or gets burned basically from it then you will end up with the core of the leather going on the verge of rawhide. It actually makes the core of this leather really tough and hence the cutting issue. Not so good for knife work but great for sheaths and such that require a stiff piece of leather.

As far as the cutting utinsel thing its always gonna be what you feel comfy with. I personally hate using shears except for the thin stuff, utility knives very very rarely because I personally cant control them except in straight lines and dont like changing blades. I love my round knives, have several of different shapes and sizes and I have very good control of them. Took a while but got there. Ofcourse thats what works for me and cant say it will work for anyone else.

[Eaglestroker]

I ran into this on W&C leather, I now make patterns out of 1/4" PDF, sandwiching the leather, and cut with a scroll saw.

Sure makes for less sore fingers.

Edited August 5, 2012 by Eaglestroker

[renegadelizard]

I used to use the hook blade, before i got a round knife...the hook blade always cut off camber for me...this bothered me because depending upon the direction of the cut, my patern could be off by quite a bit after trying to even up the edge...even with the really hard sides, which i actually prefer, i find the round knife to be much easier for me...for inside curves, especially tight ones, i have found that a good 1/2 hole punch works wonders...

[UberSquid]

I ran into this on W&C leather, I now make patterns out of 1/4" PDF, sandwiching the leather, and cut with a scroll saw.

Sure makes for less sore fingers.

I've used a fine blade in a scroll saw as well but for really fast accurate cutting nothing beats a router table with a bearing trim bit! It rips right through the leather up to the MDF pattern as fast as you can go and you can knock out a stack of pieces if you are trying to make several of the same pattern.