Cutting and working leather with disability

[Ome108]

Getting to use some of my Dads and grandfathers tools, and some are leatherworking tools. I have arthritis in hands and wrists, so holding the tool must not exasperate my condition.
My main concern , at this point, is to find the easiest way for me to cut leather.
That being said I am leaning toward's my band saw, perhaps with a different blade?
I have both an upright wooden 14 inch bandsaw and a horizontal metalworking band saw.
My other idea was an electric rotary cutter. My last idea is using one of my presses to cut the leather, this seems like perhaps the slowest method of the three.
Any opinions would be greatly appreciated, thank you very much,
Ome108

 

[darkmatter35]

Try using a head knife. I have arthritis also, using an exact-o knife hurt my fingers and hands a lot. I switched to using a head knife and my hands do not hurt at all. I think it would be easier on your hands than using a band saw or a rotary cutter.
John S.

 

[Horsewright]

I too suffer from beat up hands with arthritis. I also use a head knife or roundknife and don't have any problems using one. I also have a woodworking band saw and a metal cutting one. I've never used either for cutting leather. I find the roundknife to be comfortable for use for hours at a time.

 

[Ome108]

Try using a head knife. I have arthritis also, using an exact-o knife hurt my fingers and hands a lot. I switched to using a head knife and my hands do not hurt at all. I think it would be easier on your hands than using a band saw or a rotary cutter.
John S.

Thank you John,
I appreciate the reply, I will have to pick one up and learn to sharpen it.

 

[Ome108]

I too suffer from beat up hands with arthritis. I also use a head knife or roundknife and don't have any problems using one. I also have a woodworking band saw and a metal cutting one. I've never used either for cutting leather. I find the roundknife to be comfortable for use for hours at a time.

Thank you Horsewright, for your reply, sounds like a round head knife is on my list

 

[Mahoney]

If the round knife does not work out...

Knife edge band saw blades are used in the clothing industry for stack cutting of fabric, so blade stock is available somewhere, and you could get blades made to fit your vertical band saw.

I've also ground carbon steel jigsaw blades into knife edges for cutting rubber and foam, there's no reason you could not cut leather with a jigsaw as well. Put 2 or 3 inches of styrofoam under the leather so the blade does not bottom out on the workbench while you are cutting

 

[Kiah]

If the round knife does not work out...

Knife edge band saw blades are used in the clothing industry for stack cutting of fabric, so blade stock is available somewhere, and you could get blades made to fit your vertical band saw.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I've seen 'em for a 14". Look for "band knife". Having nicked myself on my band saw a few times though, a knife edge would scare the crap outta me.