Strap Cutter

A strap cutter is a small handheld frame with a fixed fence and an adjustable blade, designed to cut consistent-width strips off the edge of a piece of leather in one pull. Instead of measuring and marking a whole strap by hand, you set the blade to the width you want, hook the fence against a clean reference edge, and draw the tool along the hide. It's the standard way most leatherworkers cut belts, straps, and long strips, since doing it freehand with a knife rarely produces a strip of truly even width along its whole length.

How to use it

1. Start with one edge of your leather trimmed dead straight — this becomes the reference edge the fence rides against, so any wobble here carries through the whole strip.
2. Set the blade to your target width and lock it down.
3. Hook the fence over the reference edge near one end of the hide.
4. Hold the cutter steady and pull it toward you in one smooth, continuous motion, keeping the fence pressed firmly against the edge the entire way.
5. Use a clamp or a helper to hold long pieces of leather taut if you're cutting a long strap, since slack leather will bunch and throw off the width.

Care

Change the blade regularly — a dulling blade is the most common cause of ragged, frayed strap edges, and it's a cheap fix compared to wasting leather on a bad cut. Wipe leather dust and dye residue off the fence and blade after each use so nothing builds up and throws off the fence's contact with the leather.