Practice makes perfect
Practice makes perfect
Even without the ABLON, perfect leaders can be cut.
Cut from the perfs on the side. Start forming the shoulder, then taper gently until about halfway through the strip's width, and then cut straight until the tip is reached.
Use one type of scissors. Learn how to use it, and how to make it swerve and glide in making the tapered cut. Practice and practice and practice. Use paper strips about 35mm wide. It is not difficult to get the strokes right. Then try on discarded film.
In time, the stroke is perfected. One would not even need to count- it is possible to learn to get the needed length (give or take a cm or two) for the cut leader by eye.
Below is a picture of two 35mm rolls with Leica style leaders: the upper one cut with the aid of an ABLON template, and the lower one just by scissors, swishy finger movements and eye alone.
And by the way, the thingie on top is the $9.50 Ablon.
😀