What do you fellows use to cut thick leather -- or thin leather for that matter. I'm sure many use sharp scissors for some leather, but what about the 1/4" thick stuff? Enquiring minds need to know!
Preacher
I just use my utility knife with a brand new blade.
Before you use the new blade tho clean it real good dew to the oil they put on them when they package them
it doesnt look to good on new leather lol
Cowboy316
I have a knife I made out of a power hacksaw blade that really makes short work of just about any leather as long as it's sharp. In the picture, the blade looks dark, but that's just the light. It's shiny and clean.
I've been cutting most stuff out with a medium size exacto knife with a new blade. It works well, if you're careful. Do many of you use an "old school" round knife?
i use a standard box/utility knife to cut all leather.
i now have a head knife and now learning to cut leather with it.
but i find myself going back to the box knife.
also think my head knife is dull. going to have to learn how to sharpen it now
Howdy
Most of the heavy leather I cut with my head knife or my round knife.
You need a poly cutting board to work with these. The knives will stick in a rubber mat.
WC
I use a head knife and sometimes a utility knife in cutting my 6/7 oz. and 8/9 oz. holster leather
Randy
WC--stupid question but are a head knife and round knife different? I thought they were the same thing.
Howdy TC
Very much alike but different.
The base of a round knife is almost straight across point to point.
The points on a head knife dip below that.
I've seen many listed wrong in ads.
Here are pix of each.
WC
WC-Thanks for the explanation. I see the differences in the blades now.
WC, I've noticed the different shapes of those knifes before, but can you tell those of us who don't know which one is used for what type of cutting ???
Thanks much, JD
hey JD good question in 25 years of leather work ive been afraid to even try one just flat scary lookin lol
But i guess i better learn how to use one if im gonna do more leather work now lol
Cowboy316
I asked the people at Tandy yesterday what the difference was between head and round knives, and they said none. They said it depends on what part of the country you are from. It will be interesting to see what comments this brings!
Howdy JD
I'm sorry to say that most of the Tandy people now don't know all that much. Most of the new Mgrs are
90 day wonders. They teach them how to run the store but not much about leather work. It's sad.
WC
Funny thing, WC. The man who said that to me went to work for Tandy 44 years ago. He managed the store in Spokane many years. He was the manager of the Portland store until he had a heart attack. He stepped down and works part time.
Not dissagreeing with your statement though!
Howdy JD
Well he is an old timer but then again Tandy only carrried a round knife, they never had both.
WC
I may have to make something like a head knife one of these days. Been toying with the idea. I'm not sure exactly what shape would be most useful. Hmmm........
From what I can tell, it seems to be a good knife to lop your thumb or finger clean off if you aren't extremely careful
JD
You said a mouthful. It is a tool you have to respect. Keep all fingers behind the blade.
WC
Having been using a utility knife/box cutter blade from the very start, I always marveled at how one would cut exacting lines with a Round Knife. It always seemed like such an unwieldy cutting tool. I am SURE that once you learned how to properly employ it that it's fantastic, but to a beginner or layman it looks nasty to use, hence why I steered clear of it. May need to look into investing in one in the future though and giving it a go.
BTW, I hope to stop by your shop this month WC. Been outta the leather/CAS game for the last 4 months, but I am coming back strong in the new year! Just finishing up my first set of carved holsters and a new scout belt w/ double shell shotgun loops :) I'll post pics once everything is done this weekend.
Considering the graphic design background I come from, it's always been funny how many people don't know to properly handle an X-acto knife, and especially how many people don't know how to use a cutting ruler.
Tip 1 - Do not cut directly towards yourself. Cut at an angle towards your side. And cut slowly. Know what you're cutting and how far. And do not get distracted. And always pay special attention to the area an inch or two in front of your cut. Sometimes fingers sneak into that area unnoticed. (Sounds funny, but I've seen a lot of people slice into their own fingers this way, one severed finger tip, and twice someone cut their own finger past the second knuckle -- same person, same knuckle, two months apart).
Tip 2 - Do not hang your fingertips over the edge of the ruler while holding the ruler flat during cutting.
Tip 3 - On a cutting ruler, there is a groove in the middle. This is where your fingertips go, pointing down (like when they are on the home row of your keyboard). If the knife "walks up" onto the ruler, your only exposed part is your fingernail, which is harder to slice through.
Tip 4 - You measure and draw on the long shallow side of this part of the ruler, and you cut on the steep side. If you get this backwards, it's not a matter of IF but WHEN your blade will find a tooth on that cutting edge and walk straight up it and slice either a finger or a knuckle.
As my first supervisor said to me more than 20 years ago, "Knives are sharp. Don't be dull-headed around them. Pay attention."
Let your wife use the utility knife and x-acto for makin crafts. Buy a good head knife and learn how to use it. Your leather work will improve dramatically and you will never look at a utility knife again. The finest gun leather and saddles ever made buy old timers were all made with head and round knives.
Your mileage may vary: Buff
I am new to these forums but I had to comment on this knife issue.
I have been a saddlermaker for thirty some od years and there is a diference in head and round knives. It has to do with the shape.
I never use utility knives or xacto knives because honestly they arent sharp enough. A goog round knife takes a little to get used to but when you learn to use it it becomes an all purpose tool ,I cut with it ,skive with it use it as an edger then flip it round and use the handle to burnish with.
But the secret to these knives is keeping them sharp. When they are properly sharpened they wil lcut the thickest harness leather like a hot knife though butter. I usually spend more time stropping the blades than I do cutting.
I agree with the writer who said get a god round knife and learn how to use it. You wont be sorry.
Thanks for the good input, Don. I've never used a round knife. I suppose I should try one eventually. The saddlemaker I learned from showed me how to make a knife like the one he used and I made two. I've been using those since. As to stropping, that's the most important part of a good knife.