Thread: Getting a clean cut on Latigo leather... A question for the leather craftsmen

I have a good problem... too many strops. My 3" SRD Latigo has been hanging unused for a long time and I finally have found a way to put it back in service. I want to cut it roughly in half to mount on a travel loom strop. More accurately, I want to trim about 3/4" off of both long sides and about 1/4" off the ends. Rarely have I been able to cut leather as thick as the Latigo strop in just one pass and the result is real amateurish edge once cut. I want a nice clean, finished edge that will be appealing to the eye. I am considering taking it to the local shoe maker. I am a DIY kind of guy and would love to do it myself, so I am hoping for suggestions on getting a nice, clean, one pass cut.

Thoughts & suggestions appreciated.

I've no experience but this comes to mind:

I've had success making clean and uniform cuts on strop leather using a tool I have from when I was a pro carpet installer. A loop pile cutter with a slotted blade installed. Probably not worth the $ it would cost you for this one off application, but it will do the job if you understand how to use it. Use a chalk line to mark your cuts, adjust the cutter to the proper height, and follow your line. With a new blade it is like butter.

I use one of these to cut strops etc.

Tandy Leather - Craftool Strap Cutter

I am sure you could rig up some sort of homemade version.

Anyone around here know how to get a nice sharp blade???

Originally Posted by 32t

I use one of these to cut strops etc.

Tandy Leather - Craftool Strap Cutter

I am sure you could rig up some sort of homemade version.

Anyone around here know how to get a nice sharp blade???

Have made alot of strops,the above tool works perfect.

Level on top of the strop, c-clamped to hold it and a cheap snap exacto (sp?) knife?
Like cutting drywall.
Don't know....seems like it would work!

Originally Posted by Hart

I've no experience but this comes to mind:

If it weren't a 20" cut, that might work. Because of the length, I see this making a jagged cut..

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I've had success making clean and uniform cuts on strop leather using a tool I have from when I was a pro carpet installer. A loop pile cutter with a slotted blade installed. Probably not worth the $ it would cost you for this one off application, but it will do the job if you understand how to use it. Use a chalk line to mark your cuts, adjust the cutter to the proper height, and follow your line. With a new blade it is like butter.

I once had a knife like this.. back when I was laying carpet. Long gone at this point and I would bet a pricey item these days.

Originally Posted by 32t

I use one of these to cut strops etc.

Tandy Leather - Craftool Strap Cutter

I am sure you could rig up some sort of homemade version.

Anyone around here know how to get a nice sharp blade???

Yes, hard to beat a purpose built tool. That's what I figured my local shoe maker would use. paying him to make two straight cuts couldn't be $30.. could it?

Originally Posted by Chevhead

Level on top of the strop, c-clamped to hold it and a cheap snap exacto (sp?) knife?
Like cutting drywall.
Don't know....seems like it would work!

That's exactly what I would do if left to my own ways. However, Latigo is pretty thick. Even the sharpest of my snap blade knives wouldn't get through it in one pass..

Well the carpet cutter blades do fit the DurhamDuplex Razors.. double up and shave!
~Richard

Cut the leather with it and then shave? Now THAT would be a serious pre-shave stroping!!

Yea, the strap cutter is the tool for the job, but have also done it with a metal straight edge clamped to a table top and a well stropped utility knife or Exacto knife. Don’t try to cut through thick leather in one pass. Multiple lite cuts will make a nice cut and prevent mistakes.

You can bevel the edge for a finished look, with a leather edge beveler or a sharp block plane, strop the plane blade on chrome oxide or diamond paste and take a lite cut.

You can smooth the edge with edge dressing or thinned hide glue and an leather edge dressing tool or a small nylon or metal pully wheel, like from a screen spline install tool. The tool burnishes the edge and the dressing glues the fibers smooth.