Getting good straight cuts and issues with stitching.

[Klara]

6 hours ago, TonyV said:

to cut straight keep the knife ange low

The Leather Element: Cutting Clean Edges - YouTube

 

I used a modified old dinner fork to chisel my first slim Jim holster.  Still have it!

Does anybody know what the non-slip tape is that's stuck to the back of the rulers? Because I also have a problem with cutting along a ruler.

I do however get straight enough cuts by rocking a headknife back and forth along a previously drawn line. I love my head knife, even if it's a bit of work to keep sharp. But keeping knives sharp is ine of life's essential skills (like sewing a button back on or boiling an egg) and I've just seen (once again) during breakfast preparation that even a few half-arsed strokes down a steel (or whatever) make a huge difference. 

 

[fredk]

13 minutes ago, Klara said:

Does anybody know what the non-slip tape is that's stuck to the back of the rulers? Because I also have a problem with cutting along a ruler.

Go to a hobby shop which sells items for model railways and ask for cork track underlay. Its thin cork strip, usually with adhesive tape on the back. A big roll will cost you just a few Euro

[Frodo]

It might be just me.  BUT.   I flip the ruler over and do not use the cork side

The cork lifts the ruler  up off the leather,  and your knife can set at an angle as you cut

Instead,  go buy either a bag of lead shot or a bag of BB's  make a pouch for them and use as weights to hold your projects

Here is some more of the HU   

The Hu - Song of Women with Lyrics - YouTube

[Klara]

9 hours ago, fredk said:

Go to a hobby shop which sells items for model railways and ask for cork track underlay. Its thin cork strip, usually with adhesive tape on the back. A big roll will cost you just a few Euro

Thanks, I have read about cork, or seen it on another video.  But in this case it was a dark material and semed very thin, so hopefully Frodo's concern (which I can understand, without having tried) would not apply...

[fredk]

25 minutes ago, Klara said:

Thanks, I have read about cork, or seen it on another video.  But in this case it was a dark material and semed very thin, so hopefully Frodo's concern (which I can understand, without having tried) would not apply...

The dark material might be neoprene sponge rubber. Both it and the cork can be as thin as 1mm

[garypl]

I put gaffers tape on the bottom of steel rulers.  It’s thin but has enough texture to keep the ruler from sliding around.  Available on Amazon.  

[Rahere]

5 hours ago, garypl said:

I put gaffers tape on the bottom of steel rulers.  It’s thin but has enough texture to keep the ruler from sliding around.  Available on Amazon.  

Some folk use adhesive abrasive tape.

[garypl]

7 minutes ago, Rahere said:

Some folk use adhesive abrasive tape.

Only concern I would have using abrasive tape is scratching the leather if you inadvertently move the ruler while it’s on the leather.

[zuludog]

I treated myself to a proper straight edge. It's heavier than a ruler, and doesn't move around as easily. It does cost more, but it's the sort of thing that once you have one you wonder how you managed without it

https://www.maunindustries.com/pliers-tools/steel-straight-edge-metric-500-mm/

There are longer or shorter models, priced accordingly

Veritas & Starrett are probably the most usual makes in the USA, but I expect if you search around there will be others

Edited May 5, 2021 by zuludog

[Klara]

Or might it be commercial anti-slip tape of the type that's sold for stairs? I'll look in a hardware shop next chance I get...