Does Skiving Weaken A Piece Of Leather?

[ruthless]

I buy 6mm sides of bridle leather. I'd like some 3mm leather for certain pieces. If I skive my thick stuff will it be weaker than a hide that's 3mm thick to begin with?

Also, how come some sides are thicker than others?

[terrahyd]

RUTHLESS;;FOR THE MOST PART ,THINNER LEATHER WILL BE WEEKER..THE LEATHER YOU BUY WILL BE GRADED (8-9 ) or (3-4) EXC'' GET THE IDEA,,LEATHER IS NOT A MADE ITEM AND WILL VERY SOME WHAT...ALTHOU'' SOME TANNERIES DO BETTER THAN OTHERS ,THE BELLY WILL BE THINER THAN THE BACK,,SO IF YOU BUY A SIDE THERE MAY BE SOME CHANGE BACK TO BELLY ,THAT IS WHY THEY OFFER DIFF' CUTS ...HOPE THAT HELPS ...if you skive a piece you should get the same results as thiner leather all else beening the same...thats why we have skiving machinery.....Doc...

Edited February 3, 2010 by terrahyd

[tonyc1]

I buy 6mm sides of bridle leather. I'd like some 3mm leather for certain pieces. If I skive my thick stuff will it be weaker than a hide that's 3mm thick to begin with?

Also, how come some sides are thicker than others?

Ruth, where do you get 6mm bridle from and is it english leather?

Tony.

[ruthless]

Ruth, where do you get 6mm bridle from and is it english leather?

Tony.

Yeah, Wickett and Craig sides from Birdsalls.

[tonyc1]

Yeah, Wickett and Craig sides from Birdsalls.

So it isn't english leather strictly speaking, it is made in USA in the english style. Is it nice and firm?

Tony.

[whinewine]

So it isn't english leather strictly speaking, it is made in USA in the english style.

Tony.

Their website http://www.wickett-craig.com will give you a history of their operations for 140 years. At some point I will make the trip there & purchase some really good leather.

russ

Edited February 4, 2010 by whinewine

[ruthless]

Yeah, it's pretty firm. I can send you a small sample if you want? Although Birdsalls probably would too.

I'm still not 100% clear on the skiving though. If I buy a side of leather that's 3mm thick is it stronger than skiving a 6mm piece down to 3mm?

Edited February 4, 2010 by ruthless