Can a cowhide rug be cut?

[GoatsRus]

I have a beautiful cowhide that we ordered to use as a carpet in the kitchen area. I got rid of the 5 x 8 carpet due to stains and the like that just wouldn't come out. Cowhide doesn't stain, is a breeze to clean and your can pretty much shake it out and it's good to go.

However, it's a little larger than was stated when we ordered it. The hide that is part of the leg areas are just too long. Can I cut them? What can I use to cut it?

[Heritagefarm]

Depends on the weight. Just use heavy duty shears.
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/s...keyword=shears

[Beowulf]

You can use heavy duty shears, such as Heritage suggested, or just use a utility knife.

I do leather work as a hobby, and I use both, depending on the needs of the moment. Obviously, the shears will be safer, but they will also be more expensive than a $2 disposable utility knife. I would go with the knife if you do not find yourself in need of heavy duty leather shears very often.

[YuccaFlatsRanch]

Easily cut - its how they use cowhide to upholster sofas, chairs, etc.

[GoatsRus]

I think I have some scissors that will cut it, I was just wondering how to go about it. The hair kind of brushes toward the edges and if I just cut it will be even with the hide. Is there a way to hold the hair back so that it won't be completely even after cutting. I know this is hard to explain, but the rest of the hide has the little hairs just slightly past the edge of the hide and I don't want it look like "I cut it".

[Heritagefarm]

That sounds good, though I'm not too sure, I just started leathercraft. You could probably hold it back with a ruler or tape...?

[oregon woodsmok]

Cut it from the back side with a utility knife. Cut carefully, not 100% all the way through with the first cut. Then extra carefully for the finish cut and you can cut through the leather and not the hair.

It might be possible to hold the hair back slightly with masking tape. If you can hold the hair back, then cut from the hair side.

[texican]

Never thought about having a cowhide rug in the kitchen... we have housedogs... if it were downstairs, especially in the kitchen, where it'd catch all the little 'treasures', there'd be no problem with trimming... the problem would be how to 'stop the trimming'. Dogs love hides.

If you wet the hide a bit, it'll get pliant enough to trim easily.

[dragonjaze]

I understand the problem you are trying to avoid with having the hair chopped off even. If you are going to use shears or scissors, wiggle the top blade UNDER the hair, so the blades are directly against the skin, at the base of the hair and then cut. that way, the hair that is left on the rug will be hanging over the cut hide.

Hope that helps.

[Rita]

Could you cut at an angle from the backside toward what would be the cut edge and give you a slight taper?? Just a thought.