mike02130 Report post Posted March 5, 2020 Hello, I’m interested in a cutting mat for use with a head and Japanese knife. When using my green mat the blade cuts into the mat resulting in drag. Especially when cutting curves. I’ve read a couple posts saying that green mats shouldn’t be used. I’ve tried white cutting boards and they cause the same problem. I notice on YouTube that a lot of leather workers from Korea, China and Japan use some type of acrylic or plexiglass to cut on. Does anyone know what material they use? Does anyone have another recommendation? Thanks, Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tugadude Report post Posted March 5, 2020 Easy enough to experiment so go to your local Lowes or Home Depot and obtain some clear plexiglass. They'll cut to size for you or they might have some pre-cuts. Not a big investment. The red, high density plastic is supposed to be really good and they use it under clicker dies. Tandy had some for sale recently and it was cheaper than I had seen before. I have good luck with the white "cutting board" material, but sounds like you haven't had good luck with them. They aren't all exactly the same. Some are denser than others. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LatigoAmigo Report post Posted March 5, 2020 1 hour ago, mike02130 said: When using my green mat the blade cuts into the mat resulting in drag 44 minutes ago, Tugadude said: The red, high density plastic is supposed to be really good and they use it under clicker dies. I have purchased a red, high density clicker pad from Campbell-Randall. May not compete with the sale at Tandy, but very durable. http://www.campbell-randall.com/product/clicker-pads-18-x-36-x-2-in Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike02130 Report post Posted March 6, 2020 Thanks to you two for replying. I figured on just going and buying a piece of plexi but thought I’d take a chance here first. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paloma Report post Posted March 6, 2020 (edited) I use this one, it's perfect price/quality! https://www.cuttingmatsxxl.com/?no_lredirect=true over my gridiron cutting mat Edited March 6, 2020 by paloma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tugadude Report post Posted March 6, 2020 1 hour ago, paloma said: I use this one, it's perfect price/quality! https://www.cuttingmatsxxl.com/?no_lredirect=true over my gridiron cutting mat thanks for sharing that, their products look great. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paloma Report post Posted March 6, 2020 pleasure. ( it's a very good product and very cut resistant ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanch Report post Posted March 21, 2020 On 3/6/2020 at 10:02 AM, paloma said: pleasure. ( it's a very good product and very cut resistant ) How did your knives perform on this type of mat? Also they seem to be in the UK? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paloma Report post Posted March 21, 2020 4 hours ago, Sanch said: How did your knives perform on this type of mat? Also they seem to be in the UK? my knives kiss me every time I use them on this carpet.In UK maybe. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrwatch Report post Posted March 21, 2020 This may not be the answer but for kitchen cutlery they say the Bamboo cutting boards do the least wear on chefs knife blades. In terms of needing resharpening. Not inexpensive, you may also check the thrift or resale stores for used picture frames and take out the Plexiglas if you do not have old one around the house. In my area .50 cents to $2.00 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paloma Report post Posted March 21, 2020 (edited) 51 minutes ago, mrwatch said: This may not be the answer but for kitchen cutlery they say the Bamboo cutting boards do the least wear on chefs knife blades. In terms of needing resharpening. Not inexpensive, you may also check the thrift or resale stores for used picture frames and take out the Plexiglas if you do not have old one around the house. In my area .50 cents to $2.00 very bad idea the plexiglas® and bamboo wood is very hard for our leather knives . but everyone does what they want. Edited March 21, 2020 by paloma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcuk Report post Posted March 21, 2020 I use MDF for all my cutting that what we used where i done my training works really well, does not dull the blade and no drag. When one side becomes to cut up turn it over, it cheap too got mine free off cuts from local timber yard. Just remember only use it for a cutting board because after awhile it becomes cut up and it will scratch your work. Hope this helps JCUK Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted March 21, 2020 You are going to have to make a decision as to what you want. If you want a top that will not dull your knife, . . . then the blade will cut into it slightly, . . . and drag. If you want a top that will not create drag, . . . it will dull your blade. I chose the 36 by 60 cutting mat that is sold by Joann fabric for folks cutting fabric. It works great for me, . . . there is a slight drag at times, . . . but slightly lifting up on the pressure will usually alleviate most of it. Mine as been on there for over 10 years, . . . works great in my opinion. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanch Report post Posted March 21, 2020 6 hours ago, paloma said: my knives kiss me every time I use them on this carpet.In UK maybe. Contacted company waiting for reply! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanch Report post Posted March 21, 2020 1 hour ago, Dwight said: You are going to have to make a decision as to what you want. If you want a top that will not dull your knife, . . . then the blade will cut into it slightly, . . . and drag. If you want a top that will not create drag, . . . it will dull your blade. I chose the 36 by 60 cutting mat that is sold by Joann fabric for folks cutting fabric. It works great for me, . . . there is a slight drag at times, . . . but slightly lifting up on the pressure will usually alleviate most of it. Mine as been on there for over 10 years, . . . works great in my opinion. May God bless, Dwight Love the setup. My cutting table is 35"x55" UHMW 3/4" thick top 2x6 and 4x4 legs I'm looking at the cutting mats that @paloma posted the link for, to cover the UHMW. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paloma Report post Posted March 21, 2020 (edited) I can vouch for your satisfaction with this product... mine 90 x 60 x 5 works great Edited March 21, 2020 by paloma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanch Report post Posted March 21, 2020 1 hour ago, paloma said: I can vouch for your satisfaction with this product... mine 90 x 60 x 5 works great That looks nice! Waiting to hear about shipping cost at the moment... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paloma Report post Posted March 21, 2020 I made a mistake the dimension of the carpet are: 90 cm x 60cm x 5mm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanch Report post Posted March 21, 2020 Shipping cost to US is kinda high! But I might just bite the bullet... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanch Report post Posted March 21, 2020 @paloma you should show the mat after a cut has been made on it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paloma Report post Posted March 22, 2020 (edited) yes Sanch, I don't mind, but it's going to be hard to visualize because you can barely see anything. I run my finger over the cut to remove the leather dust and you can hardly see a thing. Edited March 22, 2020 by paloma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanch Report post Posted March 22, 2020 @paloma thank you so much! The cost of shipping the mat was a little higher than I can afford currently but guaranteed I will be back to revisit this option! For now I have redone my cutting table with a local purchase from Joann's fabrics and using a coupon code I only paid $30 USD for a large 36"x59" cutting mat. Cleaning table top Mat placed with carpet tape as suggested by @Dwight Table back in place. Sample cut, shows the mat does scar but I think I will get my $30 of use out of it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
