Leathersmith​/Archer

A Tooling Example

Step 2

 

The next step is to cut aong the lines you just traced onto the leather.  To do this use a swivel knife.  This is a special leathe working tool that has a very sharp blade on the end of a tube like arrangement with a U shaped saddle on the other end/top.  You hold it between you thumb and middle finger with your index finger on the top in the saddle.  The index finger apples the pressure while the other two fingers guide the knife.  In this manner you can be very precise with your cuts.  You don't have to appl a lot of pressure, just enough to make a light cut in the leather.

 

Of course it goes without saying, all you leather cutting tools must be very sharp.  It's always best to strope you swivel knife on a piece of leather you've worked some ruge into before cutting and sometimes during the cutting just to keep it very sharp.  Swivel knife blades come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  I prefer the filligree blade for very fne work.  There is also a ceramic blade on the market and it is worth every penny.  Very sharp, stays sharp and doesn't rust.  Not cheap though.