Kevlar Webbing - How do you cut & finish?

**Armchair Guy** · 07-23-2015, 13:39

Just purchased some Kevlar Webbing from DutchWare hoping to lighten my straps and hammocks. I currently use regular webbing which cuts fairly clean and then can easily be melted to finish the ends. I ran into trouble getting a clean cut across the Kevlar webbing and of course it didn't melt well with a lighter.

Was wondering how others have solved cutting Kevlar and finishing the ends?

Also, has anyone had problems sewing Kevlar straps?

Thanks!

**WaffleBox** · 07-23-2015, 13:47

I made a strap for my dulcimer out of kevlar webbing and ran into the same problem as you. I tried doing a rolled hem at one end of the strap (which is how finished straps you order from Dutch are finished) but it was difficult and didn't turn out well. It's fraying out of the sides of the hem.

On the other end, I made a bar tack using zigzag stitch with a very short stitch length. This worked better. In the future I will make the zigzag bar tack in the appropriate spot before I cut the webbing.

As far as general sewing with the kevlar, it wasn't bad. I made 6 buttonholes in the straps, and all of them were straightforward and easy to sew (other than running out of bobbin thread in the middle of one, which was REALLY annoying).

**joe_guilbeau** · 07-23-2015, 15:20

WalMart - Shear made for cutting stuff like Kevlar @ <$10

http://www.walmart.com/ip/36775601?w...858072&veh=sem

**genixia** · 07-23-2015, 15:59

Don't use your fabric scissors as Kevlar is very tough on blade edges. If you don't have a dedicated blade or scissors for it, I'd recommend a sharp new disposable blade in a utility knife. I use 2 boxed Ws and roll the ends inside. Wonderclips are great at holding it together until you have some stitching in place.

**theclark5** · 07-23-2015, 16:15

I marked out my cut then placed a glue line with fabric glue (I have heard you can use super glue as well) and let it dry. Cut with scissors and it worked perfectly.

**Country Roads** · 07-23-2015, 19:57

I just "roll-hemmed" the ends, so that they would not ravel out. Made about 4 bar-tacks across the looped end, then rolled the end under and tacked that. So far, so good.

**Rain Man** · 07-23-2015, 22:39

I use a ceramic knife on a self-healing sewing cutting board. I recommend cutting at an angle for ease of feeding through loops, buckles, whatever.

I use Gorilla super glue to seal the ends. Wet the webbing, squirt on a small bit of glue, wrap in saran wrap, and put a book on it. Cures in a few minutes.

**Armchair Guy** · 07-25-2015, 16:39

I appreciate the feedback! I'm sitting looking at my failed tries and frayed edges from my first attempt. I think it will require either a glue or sewn bar tack to keep it from fraying.

I ordered the scissors joe_guilbeau recommended and I've got some gorilla glue ready to go. Will post pics when I've had some success!

Thanks for the good feedback & appreciate any more tips people have.

**Armchair Guy** · 07-28-2015, 21:03

I ordered the Clauss Extreme Edge V2 Cabo Ti Shears (Great Naming) and they ave very well made. I just started testing them and the first cut through the Kevlar was smooth and clean. Then tried to trim short edges and smaller pieces and the Kevlar showed that it is very resistant and smooth. I may be doing it wrong but the webbing slipped away from the cutting edge of the shears and the edges were rough. Below is a pic of the shears and results.

Kevlar Shear Results.jpg

Some of the ends I played with a little so you'll see fraying beyond what the original cuts looked like. It also shows even smooth cuts need to be finished somehow.

I'm very happy with the shears but I'm going to have to do something additional to make them work. I'm going to try the gluing and cutting next...