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..

Originally Posted by MikekiM

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.

If you have access to an old school paper shear it should give a nice clean cut.

I can attest for the Tandy strap cutter, it even works on 1/8 rock hard felt ( if you want to make your own felt strop) if you don't think you'll be cutting any more leather straps i did a quick search on google and there are some ideas on DYI strap cutters(though i can't vouch for the functionality of any of them). might give you some ideas.

Originally Posted by Wayne1963

If you have access to an old school paper shear it should give a nice clean cut.

No, it won't cut well or straight. Only the sharp wheel type paper cutter may cut the leather without torquing it to one side.
Leather guys seem to like a round ended blade with about a one inch radius...like an uloo. My little experience cutting leather says it should work because it has about the same cutting shear at most any angle held.
Here is a link to one company's knives and uses thereof:
Leather Tools | Leather tools and how to use them
~Richard
Leather guys and gals take their work seriously as a precision machinist!.