✰ What's up lovely people, Rebecca here with another super handy How-To!
✰ Scoring and Cutting leather is one of the most important techniques to nail early in your leather-working skillset, and today I will completely cover everything you need to know.
We will be looking at how to cut two types of leather; veg-tan and chrome-tanned. Both types require different methods of cutting:
Veg-Tan - Usually much thicker and sturdier than other leathers, to get through this stuff we need to use quite a bit of force and pressure. I find the best methods to get through quickly and cleanly is to use a craft knife after scoring a nice, clear line. I'll also be showing you how to use a strap cutter, which is one of the most fun tools in any leatherworker's arsenal!
Chrome-Tan - The bread and butter of bag making, being able to cut through this kind of leather should become second nature as we will be using it for most of our courses. I will show you several methods of cutting so you can find whatever suits you best, including my personal favourite - the rotary cutter! If you struggle with that however don't worry, we will also be going over the best method of cutting with scissors.
All done!
You now have everything you need to be a pro leather cutter. Don't worry if your cutting lines aren't perfect straight away, just keep practicing your accuracy until you can reliably cut every time. After you are confident with accuracy, you will get faster naturally. But don't rush! Always take your time when using sharp tools.
Check out the links below to source any tools you don't have yet, and always feel free to get in contact with any questions you have.
Craftool Strap Cutter - This is an excellect brand and gives the best results in my opinion. Cheaper alternatives are available but I would recommend splashing out for the higher quality.
Rotary Cutter - An essential tool for any collection, the roatry cutter blasts through any thin leather in its path!
Scissors - Available everywhere, a big sharp pair of scissors is always handy. Investing in smaller craft scissors is always a good idea to get into any smaller areas.
Metal Ruler - A must-have for scoring and cutting leather, a solid metal ruler will guide your scoring and cutting without the risk of chipping or breaking.
Awl - Another classic craft tool, make sure you have an awl to get clear and crisp cutting lines.
That's all for this week, make sure to practice loads and you'll be a pro in no time! Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you have, and see you next time for even more handy tutorials.
Bex xx
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