How to keep my ruler from sliding?

[bennadatto]

I was having some slippage issues with an acrylic template I just purchased.  It was slipping all over the place. To fix, I simply glued a couple strips of leather with the grain side attached to the template so that the flesh side was facing out.  Works like a charm, and leaves no marks on the leather I'm working with.

[Basically Bob]

A big reason for this problem, I believe, is that we tend to put pressure against the ruler with the cutting edge and also that the blade is on an angle.  I have been very intentional when coming to the end of a cut to try to hold the knife perpendicular to the surface rather than on an angle.  And also paying attention, so that the knife continues straight  at the end of the cut.  

 

This has helped a lot.

Edited June 28, 2018 by Basically Bob

[Sam I Am]

Don't try to cut all the way thru thick leather on the first pass. Not only do you take the chance of moving the ruler, but you take the chance of the knife skipping off the leather and onto the metal ruler, where it will continue with great speed; burying itself deeply into your left thumb, stopped only by its contact with bone. 

I got 12 stitches. 

And a chain mail glove to protect my left hand.

Edited July 1, 2018 by Sam I Am

[Ragingstallion]

I usually use a scratch awl first, but when I want to cut large strips I use a contractors square, and with that, I added double sided tape, it sticks but does not mark the leather.