Tandy Leather Craftool Strap Cutter 3080-00

works great!

This is simplicity plus, and it works as simple as it looks. It cuts straight, once you make an initial cut in the material prior to the strap cutter starting its cut. The message here is to make a small cut in the direction and the point on the material so the cutter can pick up the start of the strap cutting.

It worked for me. Should have ordered more blades at the same time

Having previously had access to two of these for years, I moved to another location, and have finally bought my own Tandy strap cutter. I have used this tool for 30 years, and made more belts than I can remember. The skill needed with this tool, and any like it, is to gain a feel for feeding the leather into it (if you are cutting by yourself), or pulling the tool if you are working with another who can hold the far end of the strap. Included are durable blades. The tool is virtually indestructible. You won't regret this purchase.

I am new to leather craft, and wanted to cut down a leather strip to make a belt. I was so dumb, I made a line on the leather to guide my cutting ON THE WRONG SIDE of the leather. So I had to hold the device handle pointed away from me. I was a bit nervous about starting, as this required pushing the leather, rather than pulling. But after adjusting the device to the desired width and slightly reducing the "height", I applied a little forward pressure - and two inches was immediately sliced. Easier than cutting butter! Working fairly slowly, on a table top, to keep help keep the leather strip aligned, I pulled the leather forward. And I was finished in less than a minute. Easy Peasy.There were a number of cheaper, similar, devices for sale. But their verified reviews were mixed, at best. I am very glad I paid extra and bought this model. I am still surprised how easy that was. They blade must be super sharp!I received not compensation for this review. I don't believe in paid endorsements.

This is by far my favorite leather tool. Prior to this purchased I laid out leather measured each strap and cut with a utility knife and a long ruler. This is so much faster and more consistent. I used it in leather ranging from 5 to 13 ounces, mostly chrome tanned with varying finishes for different tempers from soft to firm. Over the course of using it on some leathers it can get skewed but it’s not noticeable to the eye on the strap, occurring only after many cuts on one panel (usually it’s on leather that is from the shoulder and has more stretch anyway). I’ve already ordered more blades but with the pandemic they’ve been in the mail for several weeks now but I was able to use a whetstone and strop to sharpen it using a hemostat making it brand new.Excellent buy, I don’t know why I spent so much time and energy cutting any other way.

Just received this tool and within five minutes I have cut six straps of various widths and lengths, five of which are over two feet. I found this tool easy to use and, checking the pieces against my straight edge, the results are flawless. I am using 8oz vegetable tan leather, a little on the stiff side, and this tool just eats it up. I was surprised how easily it pulled through, I was expecting more resistance. With thinner leathers or suede you will likely have some trouble, but for my purposes this tool is perfect and will save a great deal of time in my work over the way I had previously been cutting straps. Set up is a bit fiddly (especially if you will be changing the thickness of the leather you are using very often during a project) but manageable.The product features a large, sturdy-feeling handle. The hardware seems somewhat cheap/flimsy, but I don't expect those parts to get much wear-and-tear during standard use. If you haven't used a strap cutter before and you find yourself wasting a lot of time wrestling with your straight-edge, give this one a shot.

I've been leatherworking for a couple years now and don't want to spend unnecessary amounts of money on tools, especially when cutting and tooling by hand is part of the therapeutic nature of the art these days. However for the price and ease of one of the more time-consuming tasks, this tool is quite excellent. It is no doubt a hand tool, you'll have to use a deft and patient hand to make it work in an optimal manner. However the satisfaction of finding a rhythm with this simple machine as well as the time and razors saved makes this purchase well worth the fair price. Only qualm I may have is that it doesn't come with spare blades, though I'm not even sure how soon I'll need replacements.