CUTTING RUBBER!

I've been using a Xacto Knife, but if I'm not very very careful I slice into my blade. Also, the blade is not sharp enough to cut through the center of the pips, inverted or not. The result is a ragged edge. I try cleaning up the edge with a straight razor, but ahhhhhhh. Can anyone share a technique or trick with me to make the rubber on my blade look like it came from a factory?
Thanks.COLOR=blue

i agree with D4V0W, get a sharp and good blade, then cut it by part, 1st the sponge, then the rubber , the rubber you have too apply a little pressure to cut , but only a little.

A sharp cutting edge and good technique are key.  I previously used razors but once I found these i use scissors.  the easiest quality cut for me.

http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_no-4-curved-craft-scissors.aspx

Thank you all!!! I will try to cut around the blade little by little and if that doesn't work I'll pick up those curved craft scizzors . . . I am assuming all of you cut after it's glued onto the blade. I've heard that some draw an outline and cut, then glue, but I don't see how they can line it up. Once I press the rubber and blade together it doesn't move . . . no room for adjustments.

do it lik u cut wrists

I use an X-Acto knife, going through with one cut. But the problem is that the sponge has small rips here and there. It's probably because the knife is grabbing onto the dried rubber cement causing the rips. I'll try doing multiple cuts, maybe that will stop the rips.

I've tried scissors, but i find it hard to get a smooth cut, and to cut it exactly according to the racket edge. There's always like a 1mm margin around it.

But the other problem I find is that whenever you cut a rubber that is glued onto the blade (whether using scissors or knife), it pulls the rubber/sponge off the racket blade, which makes the rubber come off sooner (over a long time tho). For myself this wouldn't be a problem since I can just re-glue it myself, but when giving rackets to others it's a bother. Right now I use 2-3 layers of Best Test rubber cement on the rubber, and 1-2 layers on the blade. All the glue is fully dried before applying the rubber to the blade. So when the knife/scissors cut, it basically peels the rubber off the blade around the edge, and the glue there doesn't stick anymore. Anyone else have that problem?

If I peel the rubber off and re-glue it (already cut), then it will be stuck on well, but then the problem is lining up the rubber exactly.

shij421 wrote: first of all, use scissors lubed with soap water and make small cuts. second of all, can someone ban haus?

Agreed, this leads to professional smooth cuts.  The soapy water keeps the glue from sticking to the scissors.  I use the nice, small sharp scissors from zeropong. 

I also agree about banning this clown haus.

xacto cuter with #11 blade works best for me.  Cut 3 to 4 times to get clean results. slice lightly more into the rubber with each cut

I'd like to visit a factory. How do they get 'em so perfect on the combo paddles?

Should we practice on our wrists or go right to the rubber? Which is more expensive to replace?

I use Olfa Heavy Duty Cutter with 18 mm ultra sharp black blade. I snapped it after cutting 1 rubber. I cut it once together with the sponge and rubber. The result is very tidy and smooth. It's far better than using scissors. Using scissors is easier but not as tidy as using cutter. Don't use other cutter than Olfa. Olfa is the best cutter available. If you want shaper one, buy the Extra Heavy Duty Olfa Blade like H-1, it has 25 mm blade. I haven't tried it though, but When I try to cut the remaining cut rubber It cut though more easily. Maybe it can cut 2 rubber before snapping it.

I'll pick up the scizzors from zeropong and give it a try, but I don't think I'll practice on my H2 National.

One question about cutting with scizzors or blade . . .

Should I use soap to lube it?

Cut before or after gluing?

i cut my rubber with a carbon sharpen zwellings & henkels precision 5" german made pairing knife on top a cutting mat...the thing to make a clean cut is to have a strong & sturdy knife/blade...so that you cut it with one go....heavy duty box cutter is also good...  

A cutting video would be so cool. I like the idea of using a German paring knife, but I believe it would have to be very sharp. Soapy water must be the way to go. I've been pulling and stretching the rubber as I cut, which leaves a chewy looking edge.

DHS Carbon
H2
Wood painted black.