Going To Try Some New Leather

[Randyc]

Hey guys, thanks for your comments. I went ahead and purchased a side of 6/7 oz. and 8/9 oz Hermann Oaks leather. One thing I discovered, Hermann Oaks is alot harder to cut then the leather I had been using from Weaver. I made another belt holster using the 8/9 oz. I'm fairly happy with the molding considering the weight of the leather. I'm sure the 6/7 oz. will mold a little easier. I'm still working on my casing technique with the new leather.

I got a few recommendations for new shears on the leather tools section of the forum. Do any of you holster makers have any recommendations for shears?

Thanks again, Randy

[HarryB]

Yes: DON'T USE SHEARS! I use a utility knife with a new, stropped blade and take three - four cuts to cut through heavier leather and I use a round knife for the rest. I know it takes a while to learn to use a round/head knife and it hurts your hand for a while but if you are going to do leather work, learn to use the proper tools. My ol' pappy always told me "don't use a tack hammer to drive a railroad spike" ! Also, some people complain about problems using a utility knife for getting a good, square cut. That is why you don't try to cut through 8/9 oz. leather with one cut. Take your time, hold the knife firmly and make several cuts. It will get easier and more accurate with a little practice.

[Shorts]

Preyty much what Harry said.

I don't use shears, I use a utility knife and make passes on my lines until the leather is cut. I do that for all my holster patterns.

On my belts, I use a strap cutter and those do get cut straight in one slice.

[Lobo]

Randy: For the finest in custom leather work, I agree with the admonition to use knives. However, since my production has grown (now doing 15 to 20 holsters per week), I have been looking for methods to speed up some of the processes. For cutting 8-9 oz. shoulders I am now using an electric sheet metal shear (auto body tool) with very good results (I can cut a dozen patterns in under an hour). I do not use this tool for any very close work, leaving that for the knives. But for straight cuts and modest curves it works just great. The tool does leave a slight "trail" on the underside of the surface being cut, so I lay out my patterns on the smooth side and cut with that side up. Greatly speeded up my production and saves me a lot of pain in my old grampa hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders (well, you get the idea). Lobo (Lobo Gun Leather, serious equipment for serious business).

Hey guys, thanks for your comments. I went ahead and purchased a side of 6/7 oz. and 8/9 oz Hermann Oaks leather. One thing I discovered, Hermann Oaks is alot harder to cut then the leather I had been using from Weaver. I made another belt holster using the 8/9 oz. I'm fairly happy with the molding considering the weight of the leather. I'm sure the 6/7 oz. will mold a little easier. I'm still working on my casing technique with the new leather.

I got a few recommendations for new shears on the leather tools section of the forum. Do any of you holster makers have any recommendations for shears?

Thanks again, Randy

[Randyc]

Yes: DON'T USE SHEARS! I use a utility knife with a new, stropped blade and take three - four cuts to cut through heavier leather and I use a round knife for the rest. I know it takes a while to learn to use a round/head knife and it hurts your hand for a while but if you are going to do leather work, learn to use the proper tools. My ol' pappy always told me "don't use a tack hammer to drive a railroad spike" ! Also, some people complain about problems using a utility knife for getting a good, square cut. That is why you don't try to cut through 8/9 oz. leather with one cut. Take your time, hold the knife firmly and make several cuts. It will get easier and more accurate with a little practice.

I actually like using a round knife and had no problems what so ever slicing through my previous 8/9oz. sides. I ran into problems cutting my new Hermann Oaks 8/9oz. side with my round knife. "That stuffs tough." I was able to to cut the Hermann Oaks with my old and close to worn out Fiskers Shears. Before learning to use a round knife, I've used and continue to use shears, utility knifes, and even my "Case" Stockman pocket knife to cut leather with good results. I still use a variety of tools depending on the project. I find that cutting a tight corner accurately is easier with a round knife, shears or round punches then with a utility knife.

Randy