Members ThisIsMyFirstRodeo Posted Thursday at 05:37 PM Members Report Posted Thursday at 05:37 PM Hey all! So I’ve read/watched a few sources saying to bevel the flesh side before the grain, but none have said WHY… Any help from the peanut gallery? thx, AZR Quote
Contributing Member fredk Posted Thursday at 05:48 PM Contributing Member Report Posted Thursday at 05:48 PM I rarely bevel the flesh side. I usually skive it thin and bevel the grain side after I've glued and/or sewn the project together Quote Al speling misteaks aer all mi own werk..
Members DJole Posted Friday at 05:08 AM Members Report Posted Friday at 05:08 AM I have only beveled the flesh side on very thick (think armor thick) pieces, which are one piece of leather. Two pieces of leather, sewn together, are sewn flesh to flesh, so only the grain side needs bevelling. Quote \D. Jole \ --> <http://djole.altervista.org/djole/Publications/Leather/Lindex.htm>
Members Handstitched Posted Friday at 08:35 AM Members Report Posted Friday at 08:35 AM I rarely bevel the flesh side unless it's heavy leather like 5mm harness vt. I regularly bevel the grain side on most projects ,and fancy belts, but i dont bevel the plain belts as there are so many . HS Quote ' I have a very gweat friend in Wome called Biggus Dickus, He has a wife you know, do you know whats she's called? Incontinentia.......Incontinentia Buttocks '
Members Cumberland Highpower Posted Friday at 02:27 PM Members Report Posted Friday at 02:27 PM (edited) Really probably not a big deal either way? I'd maybe guess it has something to do with marring the leather edge on the grain side? Especially if you're edging damp leather. Edited Friday at 02:28 PM by Cumberland Highpower Quote
CFM chuck123wapati Posted Friday at 10:22 PM CFM Report Posted Friday at 10:22 PM IT depends on the look you want or the construction. If you are gluing two pieces together, then only the outside edges gets beveled so that it glues up flush. A welt doesn't get beveled at all. A one-piece belt gets both sides beveled. You can bevel the edges round or more square, also, depending on the use or the look of the product you are making. Nothing is really written in stone about how you make the edges. Quote Worked in a prison for 30 years if I aint shiny every time I comment its no big deal, I just don't wave pompoms. “I won’t be wronged, I won’t be insulted, and I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” THE DUKE!
CFM chuck123wapati Posted Friday at 10:26 PM CFM Report Posted Friday at 10:26 PM 7 hours ago, Cumberland Highpower said: Really probably not a big deal either way? I'd maybe guess it has something to do with marring the leather edge on the grain side? Especially if you're edging damp leather. Some parts of the hide, like the belly, are softer on the flesh side and beveling just won't work well but then its not needed due to the softness. Quote Worked in a prison for 30 years if I aint shiny every time I comment its no big deal, I just don't wave pompoms. “I won’t be wronged, I won’t be insulted, and I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” THE DUKE!
Moderator bruce johnson Posted Friday at 11:36 PM Moderator Report Posted Friday at 11:36 PM I have seen that advice a couple times with no reason given to back it up. The flesh side can be a little harder to bevel sometimes because of the stringier fibers, but that shouldn't matter in what order you do it as long as your edger is sharp. Quote Bruce Johnson Malachi 4:2 "the windshield's bigger than the mirror, somewhere west of Laramie" - Dave Stamey Vintage Refurbished And Selected New Leather Tools For Sale - www.brucejohnsonleather.com
Members Cumberland Highpower Posted yesterday at 01:40 AM Members Report Posted yesterday at 01:40 AM 3 hours ago, chuck123wapati said: Some parts of the hide, like the belly, are softer on the flesh side and beveling just won't work well but then its not needed due to the softness. I guess that makes sense. I don't have much experience working bellies so never thought about it. I usually just throw away bellies or sell them for a few bucks a piece when I accumulate a pile. Quote
Members RidgebackCustoms Posted yesterday at 12:01 PM Members Report Posted yesterday at 12:01 PM On 7/24/2025 at 1:37 PM, ThisIsMyFirstRodeo said: So I’ve read/watched a few sources saying to bevel the flesh side before the grain, but none have said WHY… "They be more what you call guidelines than say actual rules" Since the fibers on the flesh side are a little looser and harder to cut cleanly, I tend to cut it first. The presence of the full width of the leather supporting the cut makes it easier. I can push down slightly as well as forward and the fibers don't tend to smush down as I run the line since they're fully supported. Quote
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