Edge beveling 101

[ThisIsMyFirstRodeo]

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

[fredk]

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

[DJole]

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. 

[Handstitched]

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

[Cumberland Highpower]

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

[chuck123wapati]

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.

[chuck123wapati]

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. 

[bruce johnson]

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. 

[Cumberland Highpower]

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.

[RidgebackCustoms]

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.