How deep should I cut

[ewayne53]

I've watched hours of videos on how to hold, sharpen and in general use a swivel knife. One thing I have never seen is how deep to cut. No doubt it varies with thickness of the leather but still should the cut be 25% , 50% or more or less through the leather?

[battlemunky]

Good question, I've never thought of this, I kinda just jumped in and started cutting just making sure not to cut through. I've never paid attention to trying to maintain a certain depth. I do know that on the 3-5 oz stuff, I have a hell of a time cutting and stamping it so I usually just leave the thinner leather plain.

[Northmount]

Many will say 50%.  Thinner leather may not be able to go that deep.  You have to test, trial and error to get the feel and look that you like the best and hopefully your client likes too.

Tom

 

[mojave]

Where does thin leather stop and thick leather start?

[Northmount]

3/4 oz and thinner are thin. 

Tom

[mojave]

northmount,  thanks for your responds.  I always wondered about thin/thick because of the (oz.)