How Are You Cutting Leather?

[rawhide1]

I use a old draw gauge, round knife, and a striaght knife. I'm fixing to get a good hook knife for tight inside cuts.

Mike

[Chief31794]

I use a round knife a lot and a straight knife too. One thing I do when there are curves etc, is I make the first cut with a hollow blade swivel knife. I cut about midway through the leather then finish the cuts with whatever knife I want to use for that particular project. I find I can cut the layout much more accurately with a swivel knife than I can freehand.

Chief

[knazim]

I've recently discovered laser cutting services as an option. I have yet to try it myself, but it can cut out intricate designs in leather perfectly and with little money from what I've heard and seen. In Toronto I know of Toronto Laser Services, but I'm sure other places exist elsewhere. The only limitation is that Adobe Illustrator or a similar software must be used to feed the design into the process. However, considering all the slip ups one can have when cutting by hand and considering the costs of leather, the laser seems like a great option for really intricate work. I'm sure it also saves time and the occasional band-aid. When I finally learn how to use Adobe Illustrator, I'm going to get some pieces cut for a simple handbag to test it out. It may be the next best thing.

I have Laser Cutter and use it to cut all the leather work that I am doing. @Lolligagger. I am based in Markham, Ontario and I also provide leather cutting services.

Regards

KN

[LNLeather]

I also use the carpenter's razor knife - Thanks to tips I got here......

If I am going to make a lot of one thing then I use my clicker die press, have a cutting die made and then everything is always perfect and there is the least amount of wasted leather.

I make a lot of coasters and before I got my clicker I always used a

LION EV-R-Round Circle Cutter. Capable of cutting circles from 3/4 in. up to 6 3/4 in.

I found this to be the easiest and fastest way to make a whole lot of rounds.

[Harag]

I make a lot of coasters and before I got my clicker I always used a

I like the circle cutter, I tried to do some coasters and made a mess at cutting them out, but cant seem to find the cutter in the UK.

BTW, what is a "Clicker"???

[Chief31794]

A cli

I like the circle cutter, I tried to do some coasters and made a mess at cutting them out, but cant seem to find the cutter in the UK.

BTW, what is a "Clicker"???

A clicker is a press that is predominately used in the Shoe industry although it is used in some garment manufacturing as well. It normally has a flat plate on the top side, leather is placed on the table and then cutting dies are placed on the material and the machine "Clicks" down on the die, die cutting the pieces.

[LNLeather]

I like the circle cutter, I tried to do some coasters and made a mess at cutting them out, but cant seem to find the cutter in the UK.

BTW, what is a "Clicker"???

The Clicker is a Die Press. The one I have is a 700 Clicker and it's made by Tippmann.

the cutting area is 12"x 12" and

is powered by a gas air compressor

This set up doesn't take up much room, is easy to use, I’ve had mine for

four years and I haven't had a single problem with it. Tippmann makes a real quality machine

and I use it for cutting and embossing.

• I was lucky that when my job was sent to China, that I had some savings.

I figured I should be able to make a little money making small leather items...

And the Clicker has saved me a lot of time and money in the long run… I just couldn't cut a perfect circle....

[PcCowboy]

Am I'm the only one who uses a Landis 5 in 1 to cut out circles?

[Harag]

Thanks for pointing out the clicker. I thought it was something like that, just not heard it called a clicker before.

[FFLeather]

VERY VERY carefully! Learned that the hard way... haha! And always pay attention to your hands when using anything with a blade on one end!

I started with a box cutter and straight edge, effective but not pretty with thicker leather. Since then I've moved on to a strap cutter, multiple knives, round/head knife and scissors. Once you practice, the progression is amazing!