Dast

I'm having problems punching nice-looking holes in a strap - been using Osborne drive punch to make 1/8 inch holes in ~4mm leather. The holes look ok on the reverse side but on the punching side they are slightly enlarged and the edge is kind of rounded over. I can understand why this is happening due to the taper of the tool but in items I have seen (e.g. hand-made watch straps) the holes are the same on each side. How is this achieved?

Hi all, I'm trying to get a few tools together and one that has got me confused is the skiving knife (like the Osborne 469). I've seen the 469-A described (here in UK) as 'US Right Hand UK Left' so are there different ways of using these? In videos I've seen they are used with the point to the left (right-handed user) and the bevel up. Elsewhere (eg A.R.T. Knife and Tool Company) it's stated that they are designed to be used with the bevel down. I'm confused, what's correct (or most usual way) to use these knives. They can be quite expensive so don't want to get the wrong one!