Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Cutting leather shouldn’t be hard, and in this episode of The Leather Element, Chuck Dorsett from Weaver Leather Supply shows you how to make clean, confident cuts no matter your skill level. Learn which cutting tools work best for different types of leather, how to use a straight edge safely, and why a sharp blade makes all the difference.
Chuck walks through everything from box knives and rotary cutters to round knives and scissors, sharing his top tips for working with both veg-tan and chrome-tan leathers. You’ll also pick up helpful shop safety advice, setup recommendations, and cutting surface suggestions.
Leather Cutting Tools & Materials in this Video
00068 Master Tool Leather Round Knife, 4-7/8" weaverleathersupply.com/products/master-tool-leather-round-knife-4-7-8
65-2976 Craftsman Trimming Knife weaverleathersupply.com/products/craftsman-trimming-knife
65-2872 Rotary Cutter weaverleathersupply.com/products/rotary-cutter-60-mm
65-2993 Leather Cutting Scissors weaverleathersupply.com/products/leather-cutting-scissors-8
65-2982 Leather Scissors, 10-1/2” weaverleathersupply.com/products/leather-scissors-10-1-2
65722 Corner Knife weaverleathersupply.com/products/corner-knife
65-2860 Cushion Grip Snap Off Knife 6-1/4" weaverleathersupply.com/products/cushion-grip-snap-off-knife-6-1-4
65-3039 12" x 8" Steel Square with Non-Slip Tape weaverleathersupply.com/products/12-x-8-steel-square-with-non-slip-tape
65-2916 Poly Cutting Board, 12" x 16" weaverleathersupply.com/products/poly-cutting-board-12-x-16
3461 Silent Poundo Board weaverleathersupply.com/products/silent-poundo-board
65755-98 Leather Marking Pen weaverleathersupply.com/products/leather-marking-pen
65721 Utility Blades weaverleathersupply.com/products/utility-blades
Chapters
00:00 – Intro & Welcome
00:34 – Cutting leather: where to start
00:44 – Tools overview: round knife, trim knife, rotary cutter, and more
01:57 – Why the box knife is great for cutting leather for beginners
02:36 – Choosing the right cutting surface (Poundo vs. poly board)
03:35 – Non-slip straight edge setup and safety
04:50 – Cutting thick veg-tan leather cleanly with a sharp box cutter
06:13 – Safe cutting techniques and hand placement
06:38 – Working with chrome-tan and soft leathers
07:44 – Tips for cutting suede and supple hides
08:56 – Blade care, disposal, and safety box
09:58 – Final advice and encouragement
Cutting leather shouldn’t be hard, and in this episode of The Leather Element, Chuck Dorsett from Weaver Leather Supply shows you how to make clean, confident cuts no matter your skill level. Learn which cutting tools work best for different types of leather, how to use a straight edge safely, and why a sharp blade makes all the difference.
Chuck walks through everything from box knives and rotary cutters to round knives and scissors, sharing his top tips for working with both veg-tan and chrome-tan leathers. You’ll also pick up helpful shop safety advice, setup recommendations, and cutting surface suggestions.
Leather Cutting Tools & Materials in this Video
00068 Master Tool Leather Round Knife, 4-7/8" weaverleathersupply.com/products/master-tool-leather-round-knife-4-7-8
65-2976 Craftsman Trimming Knife weaverleathersupply.com/products/craftsman-trimming-knife
65-2872 Rotary Cutter weaverleathersupply.com/products/rotary-cutter-60-mm
65-2993 Leather Cutting Scissors weaverleathersupply.com/products/leather-cutting-scissors-8
65-2982 Leather Scissors, 10-1/2” weaverleathersupply.com/products/leather-scissors-10-1-2
65722 Corner Knife weaverleathersupply.com/products/corner-knife
65-2860 Cushion Grip Snap Off Knife 6-1/4" weaverleathersupply.com/products/cushion-grip-snap-off-knife-6-1-4
65-3039 12" x 8" Steel Square with Non-Slip Tape weaverleathersupply.com/products/12-x-8-steel-square-with-non-slip-tape
65-2916 Poly Cutting Board, 12" x 16" weaverleathersupply.com/products/poly-cutting-board-12-x-16
3461 Silent Poundo Board weaverleathersupply.com/products/silent-poundo-board
65755-98 Leather Marking Pen weaverleathersupply.com/products/leather-marking-pen
65721 Utility Blades weaverleathersupply.com/products/utility-blades
Chapters
00:00 – Intro & Welcome
00:34 – Cutting leather: where to start
00:44 – Tools overview: round knife, trim knife, rotary cutter, and more
01:57 – Why the box knife is great for cutting leather for beginners
02:36 – Choosing the right cutting surface (Poundo vs. poly board)
03:35 – Non-slip straight edge setup and safety
04:50 – Cutting thick veg-tan leather cleanly with a sharp box cutter
06:13 – Safe cutting techniques and hand placement
06:38 – Working with chrome-tan and soft leathers
07:44 – Tips for cutting suede and supple hides
08:56 – Blade care, disposal, and safety box
09:58 – Final advice and encouragement
