Rugs, Carpets and Carpeting - seams again

What is the best way to cut carpet for seaming? The carpet is a loop pile but no rows. the loops are mixed in the carpet. I Have watched carpet installers overlaying both carpets and cut both at the same time and then seam them. I have a loop pile cutter I purchaced and have tried on some scrap carpet. I cut one side of the carpet using the left blade the overlaid the right side, cut it by using the left side as a guide, using the right blade and seamed this and it worked pretty well, then I tried to use a straight edge to cut using the pile cutter but find that the straight edge hits the back of the cutter. Also is the loop cutter designed to use on the back? The overlay method seems like it should be the best way to get both edges the same. Is there a correct method or is it just a preferance by the installer? Also after reading many of the other posts I found in searching, why is not a factory edge good for a good seam? I understand the importance of seam sealer on all seams but wondered why the factory edge was not a "good" edge for seaming. Thanks Al

Double cutting is always the last choice in my arsenal.

You may need to pull a yarn to find a row.
You might need to use a pocket comb to fing the row.
Try folding it in the length or the width, to find the row.

If you cut across a row, fraying is greatly increased.


The factory edge is a raw cut. Cutting all the loops, or face yarns in cut pile carpets.

You don't want to disturb the face yarns when cutting for a seam, or you will have unsightly seams, in the future, if not immediately.