Rookie question - Cutting leather

[Butch]

Thanks everyone for the input. I did buy some sharp scissors, which has helped in cutting thinner leather. Looks like I need to do more investigation in buying a Round Knife also.

Thanks again

Edited March 7, 2008 by Butch

[JDRamsey]

Thanks everyone for the input. I did buy some sharp scissors, which has helped in cutting thinner leather. Looks like I need to do more investigation in buying a Round Knife also.

Thanks again

Butch,

I have noticed several people recommending a round knife, or head knife. These are the absolute best cutting tools to use to provide accurate cuts of leather. However, you must respect them. These are serious tools that can cut the person using one just as quickly as they cut the leather. I recommend Al Stohlman's book "Leatherworking Tools - How to use them and How to Sharpen Them". That may not be the exact title, but it is close enough. Go to a Tandy Leather Factory. You can pick up a copy there. It is well worth it. Pages 4 through 14 go into great detail on how to safely use the round knife and how to sharpen it.

I have both the round knife and head knife and love them. When you procure one, respect it. They bite.

[Daniel]

I for one use a Buck 110 folder. I get it very sharp, strop it and cut the small curved areas in the pattern. Always be sure to cut away from you and keep turning the leather as you cut to ensure you keep cutting away from you and keep you other hand behide the direction of the cut and way from the blade.. The curved portion of the Buck knife can cut the small curves by rocking the tip of the knife into the curve giving it a clean cut, work slowly and carfully. I have used this knife in cutting learther in the same way I use a head knife. For me it is easier than useing a head knife most of the time, but my head knife still gets used for time to time. Hope this helps.