Splitter Or Skiver?

[jcuk]

On 11/18/2021 at 10:27 AM, KathrynHD said:

What about this one?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275030817581?hash=item40091d3b2d:g:ZM8AAOSwyNdhgpwD

Says the spring metal opener  is broken and missing??  for the pliers. Is this fixable? Is it mad to buy an untested machine?  Certainly looks nice. I would want for splitting and skiving

Maybe a better option for you.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284535536029?hash=item423fa3b99d:g:u6gAAOSwmlhhmANc

JCUK

Edited November 21, 2021 by jcuk

[bruce johnson]

Eleven years and a couple hundred splitters later and I've evolved in thinking from my post above. 

The tutorial page on my website has one on splitters that kind of sums it up - https://brucejohnsonleather.com/tutorials/

In a nutshell. I dont like the pliers grip Spittler pattern splitters as much as I used. A good one is good, a poor one is a lapskiver only in my hands. I was lucky early on and had some good ones. Not so as time went on. If the spring is weak or the pliers have a bit of wear they wont hold the position when released as well. I am way more of a fan of the Osborne #86 than I used to be. Simple design and if you follow the principles - good splitter. I may be in the minority but I don't like the Osborne #86A. The consistency from one to the next is variable. One might allow you to split to 1 oz. the next one might max out with a 1/16" gap between roller and blade. The bolt and nut arrangement on the adjuster can come loose when the nut twists off - LocTite is your friend. OK, I don't like the #86A as much as others, enough said.  Still like the Chase and Krebs patterns a lot, and a good #84 will work for most needs.; 

 

 

[KathrynHD]

12 hours ago, jcuk said:

Maybe a better option for you.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284535536029?hash=item423fa3b99d:g:u6gAAOSwmlhhmANc

JCUK

I spotted this last night and the seller has sent me photos of the blade...I am very tempted.....thanks for your reply...will let you know 

[KathrynHD]

6 hours ago, bruce johnson said:

Eleven years and a couple hundred splitters later and I've evolved in thinking from my post above. 

The tutorial page on my website has one on splitters that kind of sums it up - https://brucejohnsonleather.com/tutorials/

In a nutshell. I dont like the pliers grip Spittler pattern splitters as much as I used. A good one is good, a poor one is a lapskiver only in my hands. I was lucky early on and had some good ones. Not so as time went on. If the spring is weak or the pliers have a bit of wear they wont hold the position when released as well. I am way more of a fan of the Osborne #86 than I used to be. Simple design and if you follow the principles - good splitter. I may be in the minority but I don't like the Osborne #86A. The consistency from one to the next is variable. One might allow you to split to 1 oz. the next one might max out with a 1/16" gap between roller and blade. The bolt and nut arrangement on the adjuster can come loose when the nut twists off - LocTite is your friend. OK, I don't like the #86A as much as others, enough said.  Still like the Chase and Krebs patterns a lot, and a good #84 will work for most needs.; 

 

 

Hi, thank for your reply...I have read through the details on your website of your splitters...you don't mention the Joseph Dixon ones, and I had a post from you before when I was looking at the other Joseph Dixon I think, which I can't find.  I am tempted by the one jcuk mentioned above (which I noticed after I posted yesterday) I haven't seen any chase splitters here for sale and from what you said you cannot skive with these which I would want to do.  I am still learning so can't afford to have two!  Maybe one day.... I have searched for a Krebs one but can only ever find old ads where they sold a while back. Campbell Randall have new ones but haven't responded to my email...may end up being way too expensive with postage and customs  but would be interested to know.  Then this one came up, the Joseph Dixon one and thought mmmm, maybe that's the one!!  So considering that one at the moment.  You confirmed my thoughts on the plier grip one, especially as it said the spring had gone, so have dismissed that one.  Much appreciate all your comments....it's tricky to know when you haven't used any  ..... oh and also do you know if you can get replacement blades for the Joseph Dixon and new rollers?  

Edited November 22, 2021 by KathrynHD
to add another question

[berkan]

hi, 

you need this machine ,

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275031742278

[bruce johnson]

1 hour ago, KathrynHD said:

Hi, thank for your reply...I have read through the details on your website of your splitters...you don't mention the Joseph Dixon ones, and I had a post from you before when I was looking at the other Joseph Dixon I think, which I can't find.  I am tempted by the one jcuk mentioned above (which I noticed after I posted yesterday) I haven't seen any chase splitters here for sale and from what you said you cannot skive with these which I would want to do.  I am still learning so can't afford to have two!  Maybe one day.... I have searched for a Krebs one but can only ever find old ads where they sold a while back. Campbell Randall have new ones but haven't responded to my email...may end up being way too expensive with postage and customs  but would be interested to know.  Then this one came up, the Joseph Dixon one and thought mmmm, maybe that's the one!!  So considering that one at the moment.  You confirmed my thoughts on the plier grip one, especially as it said the spring had gone, so have dismissed that one.  Much appreciate all your comments....it's tricky to know when you haven't used any  ..... oh and also do you know if you can get replacement blades for the Joseph Dixon and new rollers?  

Since Joseph Dixon is no longer in business. It will be hard to get original parts. As far as blades, they are pretty simple and a good bladesmith should be able to make one. Rollers - any machine shop can make those. The Dixons are OK,  not sure how easy they'd be to skive with. They are just not that common in the US although I've got one or two sitting here to be refurbished but don't come across maybe one a year usually. 

[KathrynHD]

6 hours ago, bruce johnson said:

Since Joseph Dixon is no longer in business. It will be hard to get original parts. As far as blades, they are pretty simple and a good bladesmith should be able to make one. Rollers - any machine shop can make those. The Dixons are OK,  not sure how easy they'd be to skive with. They are just not that common in the US although I've got one or two sitting here to be refurbished but don't come across maybe one a year usually. 

Okay, food for thought, thanks for the repy. seems people have their favourites which they learn by trying out all sorts, and different ones suit different people and what they need them for... I suppose at some point I just need to get one and see.  I am reticent as I have made a couple of howlers in buying in the very beginning....a bit taken with the look of old machinery.....    

[KathrynHD]

8 hours ago, berkan said:

hi, 

you need this machine ,

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275031742278

Oh, I have dismissed any of those I have seen thinking they were a cobblers machine.....Just too much for me in cost at the moment, though when I have a minute I will look and see if there are any videos....I have looked at crank handle ones online and thought that would be much easier and not stretch the leather....but they always come more expensive and I haven't proved myself yet to justify.   It does sound a good one from the description but I can't justify spending that at the moment.....it would increase too with shipping and customs.  They add 20% here of the price paid before it can be posted!  Thank you very much for the link... it's another type to look out for.  

[KathrynHD]

I started off with all this as I saw what I thought was a very expensive leather martingale collar online which I would have liked for my dog.  It got me thinking I could make one for him myself!!...I am pretty good at making things sewing and upholstery wise,, self taught and had repaired a couple of collars for my other dogs.  I had no clue at that time what making a good quality dog collar was all about.  I was going to machine stitch the one I made.  I do have a machine capable of stitching but once I started the process of getting some leather (you don't even have a clue at first what to buy for that!)..That then started the interest and maybe I could make more than one!..So I haven't been near a sewing machine (I have 4)  as once I started watching videos and tutorials and reading up, I much prefered the option of hand stitching.  I bought scraps off ebay, a few tools going by recommendations on tutorials or videos recommending what to buy,  but I didn't choose the right leather or some of the right tools initially as I didn't know what thicknesses you use for any of it and didn't have a clue really what the tools were expected to do.   

A few months on and I have got the gist of some of the types of leather and what is good to use, wasted a fair few strips in the process of trying to cut and design a collar....(I struggled to start intially as I was scared to wreck the leather...but thought if I was training it would cost me to train and you can't learn without starting !!) My plan is to make all sorts but I didn't start with the easiest type and think in hindsight I should have.. I have messed about with word (not the ideal thing) designing what I wanted for my dog and creating a template and have made him a padded hound collar and then my son's dog quite a lot different and I have added a tweed insert.....I did scrap a lot of leather trying to perfect the cutting etc etc but I am pleased with the two I have completed...I made an okay job of the first hound collar,  but I messed up on the one part so made another.  So I have actually fully completed only 3! 2 which are good enough!  .... but had a fair bit of practice in the process.......Time is the main issue as it's fitting it in. 

So, I have had a few occasions where it would have really helped to have a splitter when I was trying out what lining to use and if the leather was too thick.  But I can't really feel at this stage I need one, I have managed without, and can keep managing without, but know from what I have done, and watching tutorials where they just 'nip to the splitter to split or skive', that it would be a great benefit to have one.  Also have read many articles where people say they didn't have one, could have managed, but once they acquired one, wouldnt want to be without it.   

I am pleased with my hand stitching on the top but it's not as good on the back, particularly when you use a padded lining but I aim to make really nice collars, wallets (I have made one simple wallet and one card holder....not perfect but I was pleased with the card holder and if I made another it would be better ...my son has bought a few and says it's the best one he has used) 

So I kept checking on ebay for a splitter/skiver. I have wasted money on a couple of old machines with wheels which were not suitable.  The only thing I have tried splitting on is one I bought for about £20 which looked twice the size on the photos and it kind of did the job on a very narrow piece of leather.  It's a funny little thing, kind of quirky,  but it's not up to the job, the blade snapped initially and my husband repaired it.  I really would like to get one which would be okay for the foreseeable future....if I make a success of it.  There is no reason why I shouldn't it's just getting to the point of being confident enough to take orders and I feel I need to make a fair few variations before I do, and become more accomplished and pick up some speed.....so I have a few more to make for friends and family in return for their feedback and they won't mind if they are not perfect. I have ended up mostly now, getting strips of leather as the hides are so expensive and noticed that you pay the same no matter what the thickness so would seem good sense to have a splitter for that and buy the thickest hide.  

Definitely would have been much cheaper to buy the expensive collar for my dog  

Edited November 22, 2021 by KathrynHD
Last line

[Matt S]

10 hours ago, berkan said:

hi, 

you need this machine ,

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275031742278

I don't suppose that your recommendation of a totally inappropriate machine would have anything to do with the fact you happen to be trying to sell that one and that you've been spamming your ebay links around the place since Wednesday? 

Edited November 22, 2021 by Matt S