Cutting leather straps and leather strings from a whole leather hide, and then beveling the edges with the James Leather Cutter Tool.
Instructions for cutting a leather hide into leather pieces for braiding leather or other uses:
Step 1. (top right photo) First you must cut the hide into a complete circle or oval shape by using a scissors to cut off the irregular shape...meaning to cut off the legs and neck areas. These scrap pieces are saved for additional uses.
Step 2. (right photo) Next you set the sliding collar adjustor to whatever width you want to cut your straps. Note that the cutting blade is anchored in the 90 degree sleeve and the collar is positioned with the flat edge facing the blade. This is the cutting edge. The opposite side of the collar has a finger protruding from it, which is used only for beveling.
Step 3. (right center photo) After you have cut the entire hide into one continuous leather strap, you can then adjust the collar to whatever width you want to cut your leather strings or leather laces. The hide, or leather strap can be pulled through from right to left, or left to right depending on whether you are right or left handed. You simply position the razor blade in the cutting direction you prefer.
Step 4. (see bottom right photo) If you have a need to bevel the edges, you simply loosen the blade tightener knob and place the razor blade in the angled slots between the 45 degree, or 30 degree sleeves. You would, of course, slide the collar off and turn it around so the protruding finger is now facing the blade before re-tightening the blade. This is the beveling position. The protruding finger allows you room to hold the narrow string tightly in position with a thumb while you draw the leather string through the beveler blade. This results in perfect string cutting and edge beveling every time without accidently cutting strings completely off. That is often what happens with inferior made cutters.
