French skiver v Japanese skiver

[Jigga]

Thank you to all that have taken time to respond to my question. Taking into consideration the responses and me thinking about it further I have decided to wait before purchasing a skiver.

I’m going to concentrate on learning how to use the tools I have already ordered and practice stitching, cutting and edge dressing before deciding what other tools to purchase in the future.

I will study YT videos and no doubt raise lots of questions on this forum.

Thanks again.

[Sprocket]

On 4/14/2024 at 1:49 PM, Jigga said:

Thank you to all that have taken time to respond to my question. Taking into consideration the responses and me thinking about it further I have decided to wait before purchasing a skiver.

I’m going to concentrate on learning how to use the tools I have already ordered and practice stitching, cutting and edge dressing before deciding what other tools to purchase in the future.

I will study YT videos and no doubt raise lots of questions on this forum.

Thanks again.

That's a good approach - As a n00b here too I've done pretty much the same - I've studied a lot of vids and looked at a lot of projects, made a large list and started focusing on a project to learn stuff.  As far as stitching goes, the vids by Nigel Armitage are excellent - the recent series on saddle stitching gives a lot of "why" and also "when" which can be more important than just "how".

I use a Japanese style knife a lot and for lots more than just skiving - vs a French style skiver that is something of a dedicated purpose.  I'm eyeing a Barnsley knife as one of my next tool investments - they are UK based...

Advise I was given (as mentioned above), and see the value in, was to pick a project - gather tools, etc and build it.  A notebook cover or wallet to practice all things hand stitching were a couple I did.  Dog leads for belt making, etc. - again, practicing the strap cutting, edging and cutting slots for braids, hole punching for rivets, etc.  Right now I'm working on projects that are laced together vs stitched - I very much enjoy the doing and getting the results I want from the projects.  An "Ah-ha!" moment when the lessons learned from stitching vids gets applied to the lacing - my work looks so much better since I started, mostly due to applying what I've gleaned from literally hours of watching vids.

Good luck and show off your progress.

[jcuk]

34 minutes ago, Sprocket said:

I use a Japanese style knife a lot and for lots more than just skiving - vs a French style skiver that is something of a dedicated purpose.  I'm eyeing a Barnsley knife as one of my next tool investments - they are UK based..

What kind of Barnsley Knife they have many for sale.

[dikman]

Jigga, that was going to be my suggestion, learn the basics first. You don't have to be able to skive to make things. 

[Sprocket]

On 4/19/2024 at 11:24 AM, jcuk said:

What kind of Barnsley Knife they have many for sale.

One of these:  https://www.georgebarnsleyandsons.co.uk/product-page/japanese-skiving-knife

I already have one of these and like it very much:  https://www.georgebarnsleyandsons.co.uk/product-page/half-head-knife

[jcuk]

14 minutes ago, Sprocket said:

One of these:  https://www.georgebarnsleyandsons.co.uk/product-page/japanese-skiving-knife

I already have one of these and like it very much:  https://www.georgebarnsleyandsons.co.uk/product-page/half-head-knife

The one you have is plenty save your money, learn to use it the right way and you will wonder why you ever felt the need to own or need a Japanese knife or French skiver. That single head knife will do what those two can do and more just needs practice in use and sharpening and stropping. Take a look at some good youtube clips on how to use and maintain one, have not got much time now but if you need or pointers to some good ones let me know because there are some awful and dangerous ones. 

Hope this helps

JCUK 

[Sprocket]

Thank you for responding to my post!

[Mablung]

8 hours ago, jcuk said:

The one you have is plenty save your money, learn to use it the right way and you will wonder why you ever felt the need to own or need a Japanese knife or French skiver. That single head knife will do what those two can do and more just needs practice in use and sharpening and stropping. Take a look at some good youtube clips on how to use and maintain one, have not got much time now but if you need or pointers to some good ones let me know because there are some awful and dangerous ones. 

Hope this helps

JCUK 

 

8 hours ago, Sprocket said:

Thank you for responding to my post!

Look at the tutorials on sharpening head knives in the Leather Tools and Sharpen It! subforums’ sticky threads. The chap who owns Leather Wranglers (can’t think of his name) does a video on which he demonstrates sharpening one of his knives. Probably the best video I’ve seen. Used his advice to get my vintage CS Osborne knife into scary sharp skiving shape. Learn to cut and skive with that single head knife, and you’ll be just fine. Not much you can’t do with a good head or round knife. 

[zuludog]

Have a look at YouTube videos by JH Leather, she is an excellent leatherworker, and her favourite type of knife appears to be a head knife, aka a half round knife. She uses a few different makes, including Barnsley.

She has videos on skiving and other techniques, and as  she makes various items  you see how well she uses a head knife, for both cutting & skiving.   

[DJole]

Without a round knife, I use both a Japanese style skiving knife (from Olfa, with the replaceable blades, which I just sharpen and strop), and a French style. I use them for different tasks.