Leather cutting

[flint64]

Does anybody here use Gingher shears/scissors to cut leather? If so, which particular model do you use?

 

[BrownBear]

I'm not familiar with those. I've got a pair of Al Stohlman's best from Tandy and they're dandy. But I have to say, I bought the Titanium model from Fiskar I think (at Walmart) for a whole lot less money and it works just as well as the Stohlman. I've only used scissors up through 5 oz, and a utility knife for the thicker stuff.

For long cuts on straps and such, it's hard to beat one of those roller or "pizza wheel" cutters. You can buy the "official" version from leather shops or the cheap ones in the fabric departments for identical results. The only real difference I've seen is the wheel size. The bigger the better for clean straight cuts in my hands. Yeah, I know there are other "strap cutters" with guides and such available in leather shops, but give me a metal straight edge and a roller cutter, and I'll always turn out better straps.

 

[ladysmithtrading]

Thats about what I do and use,although I do use a strap cutter with no problems.

 

[BrownBear]

That's a good point to bring up, if I can build on what you said. The width of the strap determines which tool I use.

I'm happy with a strap cutter up through about half an inch. Wider than that I'm just too wiggly and have to resort to a straight edge and the wheelie.

 

[rabjr]

Geez I feel like I'm missing out on something. :haha: I just have a big pair of orange handled sissors that cuts most things and for tougher stuff a friend gave me a pair of lineman sissors or I use one of those black handled razor Xacto knife thingys like what Peter Alaxander shows in his gun building video.

 

[ladysmithtrading]

That's a good point to bring up, if I can build on what you said. The width of the strap determines which tool I use.

I'm happy with a strap cutter up through about half an inch. Wider than that I'm just too wiggly and have to resort to a straight edge and the wheelie.

Bear, I have one of the cheap wood strap cutters from Tandy, that's all I use for bag straps up to 2" the trick is to have a good straight edge to start with on the hide, of course it's a 2 person operation, you need someone holding the the cut end as you pull the cutter, SWMBO (the boss lady) sure comes in handy when doing this!

 

[ADK Ephraim]

Hey, Flint64 - I have a pair that I purchased almost 30 yrs ago; they're marked: Gingher Chromium; about 8 in long. Best shears I've ever purchased! Never needed to sharpen or tighten. Cut right through up to 1/4 in leather. They were moderately expensive even back then, but a leathersmith I knew really recommended them. I'd imagine, that today, they'd be in the $50-60.00 range.

 

[BrownBear]

....it's a 2 person operation, you need someone holding the the cut end as you pull the cutter, SWMBO (the boss lady) sure comes in handy when doing this!

That sounds like a great solution. I've only done it by myself and results chased me off.

 

[LaBonte]

....it's a 2 person operation, you need someone holding the the cut end as you pull the cutter, SWMBO (the boss lady) sure comes in handy when doing this!

That sounds like a great solution. I've only done it by myself and results chased me off.

Just clamp the end - no need for two people, they even make a special simple bench mounted clamp for this purpose. I use my wooden strap cutter to cut all the way up to 3.5" on 7+ oz leather, for thinner I stay to 2.5" and below. When pulling on the cutter keep you elbow tucked up against your side as best as possible, this helps keep the cut straight.
There is also a plough gauge used for cutting straps that you push rather than pull - those who use them prefer them and say they are easier to keep straight.
I use scissors seldom except on soft leathers (buckskin, elk hide, etc.)and mostly then only for cutting fringe. For most leather work I much prefer a good sharp knife, learn to use them right and IMO you have the best system available, but do what works best for you. I have several special leather knives, but generally wind up using an old Stanley craft knife with the bi-metal blades and keep them touched up with a rouge board.

Hint - for cutting light leather with a knife and straight edge dampen the leather with rubbing alcohol, stretch on a flat cutting surface and cut away. Dampening the leather allows it to "lock" in place and it won't move on you as you cut.

 

[BrownBear]

That looks like a terrific tip on the alcohol. I use a lot of "Deer tanned" leather, and anything that helps cut straight with that is a revelation!

 

[zimmerstutzen]

I was on a first name basis with the Tandy Store Mgr. She would sometimes get me discounts for stuff for scout projects etc, and she didn't care if that may have spilled over to my personal leather tools. I have two pair of the fancy leather shears they sold and they are great. For thin leather those orange handle Fiskers are ok, but cutting some 1/4 inch oak tan, those Tandy shears work great. They are not as precise for cutting smaller curves in thick leather.

I used to buy hides from McAdoo & Allen and cut belt blanks to trade off at rendezvous. The tandy strap cutter worked great on most leather, but if the leather was kind of spongey at places, the strap cutter would curve off track.

I even had access to a harness maker's strap cutter. a huge wheeled machine that would cut entire hide into traces by turning a crank. That thing was fast, but on some leather would also get crooked.

For straight cuts, I would use old fashioned razor blades the kind that are used to scrape paint off glass. Then I also had a skiver for shaving some thickness from the leather.

 

[mazo kid]

Does anybody here use Gingher shears/scissors to cut leather? If so, which particular model do you use?

Probably the best gift my ex-wife ever gave me was a set of Hardy ivory mounted bagpipes; next would be the left handed Gingher scissors! They were pricey then, probably close to 40 years ago, at about $25.00. It is hard to describe how EASY they cut ; prior to that I had used right handed scissors and they hurt my thumb like crazy when cutting heavy material. :cursing: the blades on mine are nearly 4" to the pivot screw.

 

[flint64]

Well I took the plunge and bought a pair of Gingher shears. THEY ARE AWESOME!!! :bow: They cut leather as if it were paper. :thumbsup:

 

[Longbow68]

Klein electricians scissors.All you need :wink:

 

[deanscamaro]

I have to agree with the vote on those Fisker's scissors. They just amaze me with how well they cut leather, or anything I go after. They didn't cost that much and when they quit cutting, I will buy another set.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :grin:

 

[fatboy]

I have a pair of EMT or Paramedic shears they are cheaper but seemed to cut well the few times i needed it for leather