Strip Cutting - Long Mystery Braid

[Simmental]

Good evening everyone,

Whilst I am waiting for some materials to arrive for another project, I thought I'd try and make a 5 strand mystery braid belt.

What do you think is the best way of cutting a long section of 5 strands? 

I tried to make my own strander with 1/4 razorblades sandwiched between leather washers at the right spacings. This however turned out to be just the most lethal thing I have ever made. After bleeding all over my work I decided to quit for the time being and ask here! Do you think just using a straight edge will be better?

Thanks

 

Johnny

PS Had a thought, I am going to try disassembling my strap cutter to see if that will work.

Edited December 30, 2020 by Simmental

[LatigoAmigo]

3 hours ago, Simmental said:

What do you think is the best way of cutting a long section of 5 strands? 

This tool has served me well for years... You can find this table top lace cutting tool at Amazon and many other places.

[Hasbeencowboy]

LatigoAmigo............Will this cutter let you start in the middle of a strap and quit before the end of the strap?

[LatigoAmigo]

21 minutes ago, Hasbeencowboy said:

Will this cutter let you start in the middle of a strap and quit before the end of the strap?

Absolutely. And you can easily adjust for the width of the straps.

Edited December 31, 2020 by LatigoAmigo

[YinTx]

You can also find them all over ebay if you don't mind vintage.  They do mystery braid cuts quite well.  Weaver leather even mentioned them in a shop tricks video as a very useful tool that you don't use very often, but when you do need it, not much replaces it.

YinTx

[Handstitched]

I'll be seriously be thinking about getting one of these myself.  I enjoy  doing secret plaits .All I've been using is a home made scratch gauge set at different widths , and the leather is very carefully  cut with a really sharp blade. 

HS