I'm a woodworker and I have many planes tuned, sharp, and ready to go. They don't work great for skiving leather. A low angle block plane set for gossamer shavings works, but not as consistent as a sharp edger used by a skilled person.
Going around corners and curves tends to chew instead of cut.
I encourage you to experiment and prove me wrong.
I had some china edgers and I thought I was doing great leather work, and then I got some tandy shivers and my bevels were much better.
Your dye with is perfect! Really nice piece. I never think of orienting the cards that way. I like it. Clean stitching.
I, too, would have my debit card in the thumbhole slot, but I don't like the thumbhole slot.
I made a butt stock cover for my 30-06 with 5 or 6 cartridge loops, 3/4" loops, no taper. I hunt in the rain, in the heat, bust brush, get them absolutely soaked, and I haven't had one pop up missing, yet. Been using it for about 2 years now.
I always put my second needle in front of the first for a nice straight stitch in the front and slanted in the back. I didn't even think about top or bottom. Thanks for bringing up this topic