How To Cut A Hide For Straps And Dog Collars ...

[padparasha]

Good day all, thank you in advance to anyone reading this and willing to offer advice!

I just joined the forum recently and have only been doing leatherwork for about 6 months.

My specialty is dog collars, and I wanted to know

Is there a specific way I should be cutting these straps from the hide?

For example, should I be cutting the straps lengthwise, or widthwise? When I first began others around me said it didn't matter, but last nite I was reading Al Stohlmans' Encycolpedia of Saddle Making, and they specifically state do not cut straps widthwise.

Any assistance is much appreciated. Thank you!

[dirtclod]

On a side cut length wise and don't use the belly for anything where strength is required it will stretch out of shape .

Edited May 2, 2013 by dirtclod

[padparasha]

Thank you *SO* much!!! I had been doing it the opposite way and experiencing leather issues. Now I know why.

Thanks again!

[The Dawg Club]

Lengthwise.....We use double backs and have straps pre cut.

[Spence]

always lengthwise. This will give you the option of being able to fill an order for a matching leash also.

When I get the sides in, I cut them in 3" straps. Then, when I go to fill orders for collars, belts or leashes, it's much easier and faster to just grab a 3" strap and get two 1.5" collars or three 1" leashes, etc. A 3" strap works for me and all I ever have left over may be 1/4" straps which I use for saddle strings.

The belly is useful (to me) for cutting in strips to fill a dog tug or if there's enough of it, I use it, flesh side out, for the cover of the tug.

G'luck

Spence

[padparasha]

Thank you Dawg Club. Thank you Spence! This is very insightful. I'm sure over time I will develop what will work for me as well. I was using the pre-cut latigo strips, then I moved onto the latigo 1/2 hide, but was cutting widthwise! Now when I cut this new hide I will be cutting it right. Thank you so very much.

[lightingale]

always lengthwise. This will give you the option of being able to fill an order for a matching leash also.

When I get the sides in, I cut them in 3" straps. Then, when I go to fill orders for collars, belts or leashes, it's much easier and faster to just grab a 3" strap and get two 1.5" collars or three 1" leashes, etc. A 3" strap works for me and all I ever have left over may be 1/4" straps which I use for saddle strings

Brilliant! I've been struggling to figure out how to store my hides. This is a wonderful solution!

What exactly is a dog tug? Like a tug-of-war toy?

[Spence]

Yes, a dog tug is sometimes referred to as a tug toy. I use them to develop a dog's bite strength (for protection). If used as a toy, they have to be monitored because they will eat it in no time flat.

Tug = leather = hide = prey = food for dog

[Harag]

Hi all, this has been an interesting topic, but one question when you say "always lengthwise" I'm not sure which way you mean.

I bought just a shoulder the other day, so would that be from the left to the right - the widest part?

[Spence]

I guess you'd call it the widest part. Lay it out on the bench or floor. You'll be able to see a rough outline of the cow. At the widest part, is the top or back of the cow. This is the longest useable part (I use this are for leashes.