Any Way To Thin Leather?

[Guest Carrie]

Hi, my 12 year old son has recently started leather working and today we bought some scrap leather. He wants to make a wallet, but the leather is really thick. Is there any way to split it or soften it so this can be done, or should we just find something else?

[TwinOaks]

Leather can be thinned down in a process called splitting, and is done on.....a splitter. Splitters are typically very expensive, so I think cost would be prohibitive. Another method is called skiving, in which a razor blade (usually mounted in a tool that holds the blade at a slight curve) is used to slice leather off of the flesh (rough) side. Leather thickness is measured in ounces, which equate to 64ths of an inch...8 oz = 8/64ths=1/8th inch. Most of my wallet/bill fold work is done on a maximum thickness of 4 oz. When the leather is thicker than that, you can experience some difficulty in bending the wallet.

Your statement indicates that the leather is pretty thick, so the easiest option is to check around for a leather supplier near you. If there isn't a leather supplier, you might look for a Hobby Lobby, as they sell small craft kits (including a simple wallet). If that yields no results, you may need to order a kit online. For beginner kits, Tandy Leather Factory has something right up your alley...and budget. You can find them at this address.

There are also suppliers listed at the top of the forum page which may have something you're looking for.

Thank you for dropping in. If your son enjoys leather work as a hobby, please don't hesitate to join our website. There is no cost for membership (though contributions are appreciated), and it will allow you to view much of the work posted in the forums. Unless specifically requested, members do not have access to anything rated over "PG", and that request is double checked. We keep this a family friendly place, and are happy to hear about younger members showing interest in our craft. Let us know if you have any other questions and we'll be glad to help.

[Billsotx]

Like Mike says, get a kit since he's starting out. I'd go to Tandy/Leather Factory and get one. They usually have some merchandise marked down on a table, and I've seen those kits marked down as much as 50% off. Even at full price it's not a bad way to start. My first one (1955) was a Tandy kit and looking back I'd start the same way today. You hear a lot of adverse stuff on Tandy - take it with a grain of salt - he's just starting and those tools will work for years before he needs to move up. Like my ol' man used to say, "A shoddy worker always complains about his tools."

Post some pics after he finishes his project. We'd like to see how it's going.

[reddevil76]

I have tried thinning down leather with a hand skiver and safety beveler. Both without much success. Usually end up overdoing it and getting a hole in the piece. These are best reserved for edges and generally thinning small specific areas.

If the entire thickness needs to be thinner, without the luxury of a splitter, i would just get leather that is in the correct thickness to start with.

For beginners, TwinOaks suggestion of a kit to start with is pretty good. It is less intimidating and would allow your son to build some basic skills and his interest.