Guide | How to cut leather, even thick?

What tools do you need to cut leather?

First of all, don't forget to protect your workbench and work surface with a self-healing cutting mat! And discover our special pattern-making cardboard (320 g/m2) to laminate your paper patterns before cutting (to be held on the leather with a weight or masking tape).

Classic cutter

The cutter is one of the essential tools for cutting leather.
To get a clean and precise cut, you need to choose a quality cutter and change the blade regularly so that it is always perfectly sharp. Do not hesitate to pass the blade several times to cut the leather (make several passes without pressing too hard) .

We recommend the Deco Cuir 9 mm cutter (ref. TB249) . The pointed stainless steel blade, angled at 30°, allows for clean cuts.

Rotary cutter

The rotary cutter also allows you to cut leather precisely, it is particularly useful for rounded cuts and for large straight lines.

Tranchet - The essential

This valuable leather cutting tool is used by professionals. Its high-strength steel blade must be sharpened regularly.

A good pair of scissors

Soft and thin leathers can be cut with a pair of scissors (if they are sharp) . We recommend Kaï Professionnel scissors, which are of exceptional quality!

Straight scoring knives - OKA

With a single blow of the mallet, they allow you to create a straight, clean and precise line, to make a slot for a collar button, to connect 2 round holes to create a chapure... 5 cutting widths available.

How to make a hole in leather?

Punching cutter

Round punches make it easy to pierce leather before attaching accessories, sewing, or lacing. They are used on an Ertalon plate and struck with a mallet. There are a multitude of punches, in all shapes and sizes, to create the shape of your choice in leather (pattern, slits, corners, belt ends, etc.).

Revolver clamp

The punch pliers allow you to pierce leather effortlessly (to pierce your creations with 70% less effort) and without noise. Several drilling diameters: from 1.5 to 6 mm.

Screw Punch Nonaka (the real one)

The rotary punch is a high-quality product, handmade in Japan. It allows you to punch holes (Ø 1 to 5 mm) in thick leather effortlessly and quietly.

Circular cutter

Discover the circular compass for cutting leather circles from 1.8 to 17 cm in diameter with precision and simplicity! Made in Japan - 100% quality.

HOW TO CUT A ROUNDED CORNER CLEANLY?

USING A STRAIGHT PARING KNIFE OR KNIFE - NO CUTTERS
Creating a beautiful rounded corner has never been easier than with a paring knife and the so-called "quartering" cutting technique. We do not recommend cutting a rounded corner in one go, as this may result in a poor cut.

HOW TO CUT LEATHER MANUALLY WITH A PUNCH BLADE?

Looking to cut leather with a punch blade or custom punch? Check out our manual bench presses! Punch blades can also be punched manually with a punching plate and handle.

Guides that might interest you:

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Guide - How to cut leather easily with a Cricut machine?
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