Schärf-Fix 2000

[esantoro]

If finances are good come September, I may go for it. There are several light-duty applications I can see this tool handing. Resale value seems to be 100 percent. I just love quality tools that are also portable.

You know, Valerie Michaels has a similar machine illustrated in her book, and it's pictured being used with at least 6 oz veg tan. But, as always, Bruce's advice to the contrary cannot be ignored.

ed

[esantoro]

I'm dying to talk myself into getting this machine. I think it may work well for up to 6 oz leather where I need to pare two to three inches in certain areas down to about 1.5 mm.

Anyone know what the largest amount of clearance is underneath the blade? I do know that the machine comes with three different rollers -- 4mm, 8mm, 12mm -- for varying the width of the pare.

Talas in Manhattan just raised the price $25 to $350.

Ed

[esantoro]

I'm going to pull the trigger on this purchase and hope it works for my needs (though bookbinding is something I'd like to get into, as well). I might be able to get the Brockman, which Valerie Michaels references in her book -- and may infer that it is suitable for heavier work than bookbinding -- for the same price.

http://apps.webcreate.com/ecom/catalog/pro...ProductID=23720

I would have to secure this machine with two C-clamps, while the Schar-fix has a built in single clamp.

http://apps.webcreate.com/ecom/catalog/pro...ProductID=17482

Based on the pictures, it seems that the Brockman may be able to take thicker leathers between the blade and the anvil. Does anyone have experience with the Brockman?

Thanks,

Ed

[Ladyk]

Ed,

Please read what everyone has to say about this tool, it's good at what it does but the types of leathers you wish to skive, pare, etc. are far too heavy for the Scharf-fix. It is good for garment leather nothing else; it's not a splitter. I personally wouldn't use it for anything but paring down 3/8" around an edge for making folds in very soft garment leather. You do have to change blades often or use expensive coated blades even with this light weight leather. As nicely engineered as ths tool is, when I move into a larger work space I will be getting a power skiver as others have described elsewhere in this posting. Although I will most likely never use it on heavy leathers it would non the less save me LOTS of time.

If you do purchase this tool let me know and I will give you a few tips on how to use it effectively.

I'm dying to talk myself into getting this machine. I think it may work well for up to 6 oz leather where I need to pare two to three inches in certain areas down to about 1.5 mm.

Anyone know what the largest amount of clearance is underneath the blade? I do know that the machine comes with three different rollers -- 4mm, 8mm, 12mm -- for varying the width of the pare.

Talas in Manhattan just raised the price $25 to $350.

Ed

[Ladyk]

Thanks, LAdyk. Do you think it will work well on 4 oz to 12 oz chrome tan and veg tan?

Ed

Ed, It will in NO way work well on 4oz heavier leather, and I can't see it working at all on heavy veg tan, it only works on stuff thats super supple-garment grade leather. The knife doing the cutting is an old style disposable razor blade!

Ladyk

[esantoro]

I've decided to save up for Artisan's 20" splitter.

However, a new reason for getting the Scharf-fix 2000 has surfaced. While on vacation, I got some good ideas for women's bags that would require butt stitching together symmetrical pieces of 3oz or 2oz coach-style leather to make up single panels. This stitching will require clean, even pairing of the the edges to about 1/4". The edges will have one invisible stitch then folded over to receive the top stitching. It seems that the Scharf-fix might be ideally suited to this task.

Ed

[esantoro]

I've been making nice with my safety skivers. They told me to keep them supplied with fresh, sharp new blades and twenty cents a pop and they will take care of my needs. We have become very, very good friends.

Thanks, again, for talking me out of that unnecessary purchase.

Ed

[esantoro]

I finally bought the Scharf-fix 2000, from Trish. I'm still playing with it but I'm very surprised how well it works with thick leather, veg tan and chrome tan. Durability of such thin blades certainly is an issue, but cheap good quality double-edged blades should be available.

By the way, the instructions mention the availability of optional 16mm and 20mm rollers. Might anyone know where to get these?

Ed

[oldtimer]

I finally bought the Scharf-fix 2000, from Trish. I'm still playing with it but I'm very surprised how well it works with thick leather, veg tan and chrome tan. Durability of such thin blades certainly is an issue, but cheap good quality double-edged blades should be available.

By the way, the instructions mention the availability of optional 16mm and 20mm rollers. Might anyone know where to get these?

Ed

Ed, by quriosity I googled Schärf-fix and it seems that the machine is made in Sweden, so I´d suggest you E-mail the factory and ask your questions.

www.teknomek.se/int/scharf-fix.html

/ Knut ( my name turned green !!??) :-)

Edited February 3, 2010 by oldtimer

[esantoro]

Thanks, Knut.

I called Teknomek, the Swedish company that makes the machine, today and was told to go through Talas here in Brooklyn, New York, though I may have to wait several months for Talas to put in their next order. I'll look around for other distributors.

Ed

Ed, by quriosity I googled Schärf-fix and it seems that the machine is made in Sweden, so I´d suggest you E-mail the factory and ask your questions.

www.teknomek.se/int/scharf-fix.html

/ Knut ( my name turned green !!??) :-)