Correct way to cut the end of a belt?

[chuck123wapati]

16 hours ago, JLSleather said:

There is no "right" way.  Cut it the way you like it.  Easy way to get there is cut a piece of heavy paper the width of your strap, and the length of a sheet of paper or so.  FOLD the paper in half lengthwise (so you have a piece 11" x HALF THE WIDTH you started with).

Using a knife or shears, cut a curve you think is "about right" through BOTH layers.  Open the fold, and the two sides will match.  Don't like the look?  Fold it back together and try a different curve, until you get what you're wanting.

Once done, measure from the tip to where you want your holes, and mark (or punch) the holes on the folded line.

 

 cmon you know you gotta make it sound much more complicated or scientific lol maybe some math involved also. 

[JLSleather]

2 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

 cmon you know you gotta make it sound much more complicated or scientific lol maybe some math involved also. 

the curve (radius) of the tangential arcs are bilateral, and such that the pivotal center of the arc is maintained in a position inversely proportional to the square of the strap width.  Even more so on Tuesdays before dawn.

Seriously, this is not something you need vector software for.

[jcuk]

I know this depends on whether you have a Round knife or Head knife and depending on how competent you are using one, to cut church windows (English point) with one.  But once you get how to do it, and if you are doing it enough - no need to mark and measure which is a great time saver, also what it does mean you have to buy so many church window punches. I went to Osborne site that could mean anything from 1/4 '' to 2'' (very expensive) although you can away with using one that is slightly bigger than your strap and also you don't need so many templates in different sizes either.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5GqItjXtRI

Hope this helps

JCUK

[Hardrada]

6 hours ago, JLSleather said:

Based on WHAT?  What is the "right" proportion of cut length to strap width?  What is the "proper" radius of the curve of the cut?  How does leather thickness affect the proportion?  

If you "worked out" a pattern, that seems to suggest that you have A way, not necessarily THE way.  This is perfectly acceptable, but it does reinforce the idea that there is no "right" way to shape a belt tip...

I seem to have tossed away the paper where I worked out the geometry.

Here's the pattern:

 

Regardless, ideally one'd want something that is aesthetically pleasing (harmonious). Ideally, you wouldn't want something that looked like this:

Or this:

Or this?

Again, ideally.

No, mine ain't THE way; were it so I'd patent it and charge everyone royalties.

Edited December 6, 2021 by Hardrada

[chuck123wapati]

https://leathercraftlibrary.storage.googleapis.com/Archives/PDFs/Creative-Belt-Stamping.pdf

 

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[Hardrada]

1 hour ago, jcuk said:

you have to buy so many church window punches. I went to Osborne site that could mean anything from 1/4 '' to 2'' (very expensive) although you can away with using one that is slightly bigger than your strap and also you don't need so many templates in different sizes either.

You bet! Definitely expensive. I bought mine from Kyoshin Elle, either through goodsjapan.com or RML, so cheaper than Osborne, but still I only have two—1.25" and 1.5". What I did buy more of were the round ends, go figure, but even the ones Tandy sells are not inexpensive.

Edited December 6, 2021 by Hardrada

[jcuk]

13 minutes ago, Hardrada said:

You bet! Definitely expensive. I bought mine from Kyoshin Elle, either through goodsjapan.com or RML, so cheaper than Osborne, but still I only have two—1.25" and 1.5". What I did buy more of were the round ends, go figure, but even the ones Tandy sells are not inexpensive.

No matter how cheap its money you could use else where like better leather.

[fredk]

When I started in this leather crafting lark I used the 'folded card' method for shaping the ends of belts. Later I bought one large 'English' belt tip punch. That one large size does all the smaller one too. I've also bought a set of belt templates in acrylic, like these uns, (below) they cost me under £5 for the set but are dearer now, With them you have the two most common ends

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265264220814?hash=item3dc2faca8e:g:~VIAAOSwq1VhFIl5

 

[JLSleather]

3 hours ago, Hardrada said:

I seem to have tossed away the paper where I worked out the geometry.

Here's the pattern:

 

What are the shaded parts on the first one?  And... I don't mind the LOOK of that last one, though I suspect it could get irritating catching on belt loops when put on.

[Hardrada]

2 hours ago, JLSleather said:

What are the shaded parts on the first one?  And... I don't mind the LOOK of that last one, though I suspect it could get irritating catching on belt loops when put on.

 

On the billet, the shaded part is the shape added to the rectangle to make the shape of the point. Yeah, that part for which I no longer have the calculations I made to determine its dimensions.

On the buckle end of the pattern, the shaded areas are just cutouts on the cardstock pattern where the branding stamps will go.