Leather Splitter On Small Scraps?

[TexasLady]

6/1/11

I'm afraid that I already know the answer, but I'll ask anyway.

Here's my question. I have a large supply of small, very irregularly shaped leather scraps. They are thick, like shoe soles. Would a 'splitter' work on these small pieces of of leather? Or, is a splitter best used only on a smooth, flat, belt-like, likewise thick, piece of leather?

I've taken one of my leather scraps and 'split' it, using a sharp knife. But, I didn't separate the two pieces from each other. Instead, I left them attached to each other at the mid-line. Opening the piece of split leather, it now looks something like a a bird with outstretched wings, having a suede texture. I plan to decorate it (probably with beads) and make a necklace out ot it. I cased it before cutting it. But, I nicked it a few times. I don't know if I just need to practice more, or if there is some better, more legitimate way, that I should be splitting the leather. Thanks. - Texas Lady

[TexasLady]

6/14/11

Okay, so this Thread of mine has had 74 'views' and 0 'replies'. I must be doing something wrong. :/ - Texas Lady

[particle]

Have you ever used a manual bench-mounted splitter? I've only used one - it's a little model I picked up from another forum member. I don't recall off-hand, but I think it only has about a 5" cutting surface. In my opinion, when it says it's a 5" cutter, that doesn't seem to really mean it can cut 5", because manually splitting that large of a surface area takes some serious strength and effort, with plenty of leather on the out-feed side to pull on. Or, maybe my blade just isn't quite sharp enough, which is probably partly my problem.

So, to answer your question in my limited-experience, best guess, trying to be helpful attempt... You should be able to split your leather down just fine, provided it's narrow enough for you to physically pull it through the splitter, and long enough that you have something to get a good grip on as you pull it through the splitter.

[cem]

I've got a hand crank splitter and I can split irregular shaped scraps easy with it I've never used the bench mounted pull through ones. If your scraps are small it might be awkward to use one of those due to not being able to get an adequate grip like Particle mentioned. With a hand crank it shouldn't be a problem but it depends on what you want to spend as the new hand cranks are kinda expensive and the older ones don't pop up as much anymore.

If you live near a Tandy maybe see if they will let you try one of the bench mounted splitters to see if they may work.

Cheers,

Clair

[TexasLady]

6/17/11

Thanks so much to both of your for your replies. I'm a bit clumsy at navigating here and only just now saw that you'd written to me. Yes, there's a Tandy near me. Their leather splitter costs about $400, but looks really nice. No, I've never used a bench mounted splitter. I can see how I'd have trouble pulling a 5" wide strip of leather past a blade,... I mean, without clamping down on it with pliers and ruining the leather. And, yes, my scraps are small and irregular. If they could be split, that would make for a nice uniform, albeit small, piece of veg tanned leather to work with, and also I'd be left with some usable 'flesh' leather that, I'm guessing, could still work just fine for 'welts' and such. I appreciate your answers. Maybe my next step will be to try to find a local leather-worker who will let me try out his hand cranked splitter on some of my scraps. - Texas Lady

[Mijo]

i'm bumping this thread b/c I'm in the market for a bench mounted splitter for splitting small scraps for latigo and bridle leather. I've reviewed most of the threads regarding splitters and it looks like a splitter with a hand crank would be the better option.

I came accross this splitter on ebay, http://cgi.ebay.com/Leather-Splitter-Skiver-10-Inch-Good-Condition-/230659946692?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b46778c4 . Is anyone familar with this type of splitter? Is this a pull through style splitter or does the operator rotate the large cylinderical type attachments to feed the leather through? It looks very different from the splitters I've seen from Landis, Osborne and American.

Here's a hand crank splitter currently on ebay, http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-A-ALLEN-ECLIPSE-LEATHER-SLITTER-CUTTER-TOOL-/180710666484?_trksid=p3286.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D3%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D2127390190670289959. Is anyone familar with this one? It's listed as missing some screws, so I'm less inclined to even bid on it. It's listed as a "slitter" but I'm thinking that's just a typo and the seller meant "splitter"

I've sent messages to both sellers but I'm wondering if anyone on here has experience using either. Any comments or responses are greatly appreciated.

[mike59]

i'm bumping this thread b/c I'm in the market for a bench mounted splitter for splitting small scraps for latigo and bridle leather. I've reviewed most of the threads regarding splitters and it looks like a splitter with a hand crank would be the better option.

I came accross this splitter on ebay, http://cgi.ebay.com/...=item35b46778c4 . Is anyone familar with this type of splitter? Is this a pull through style splitter or does the operator rotate the large cylinderical type attachments to feed the leather through? It looks very different from the splitters I've seen from Landis, Osborne and American.

Here's a hand crank splitter currently on ebay, http://cgi.ebay.com/...390190670289959. Is anyone familar with this one? It's listed as missing some screws, so I'm less inclined to even bid on it. It's listed as a "slitter" but I'm thinking that's just a typo and the seller meant "splitter"

I've sent messages to both sellers but I'm wondering if anyone on here has experience using either. Any comments or responses are greatly appreciated.

If you have a bench type pull through splitter, you can start in the middle of the piece and pull it through,...then simply turn the piece around and split from the middle again splitting the other half.

[particle]

Here's a hand crank splitter currently on ebay, http://cgi.ebay.com/...390190670289959. Is anyone familar with this one? It's listed as missing some screws, so I'm less inclined to even bid on it. It's listed as a "slitter" but I'm thinking that's just a typo and the seller meant "splitter"

I'm no expert, but I believe that's a strap cutter, and not an actual splitter/skiver. You'd use it for cutting belt blanks, etc., not for actually thinning down the thickness of a piece of leather.

[Mijo]

I'm no expert, but I believe that's a strap cutter, and not an actual splitter/skiver. You'd use it for cutting belt blanks, etc., not for actually thinning down the thickness of a piece of leather.

That's kinda what I was thinking as I couldn't really see a horizontal blade in the pictures.

Mike59 - I plan to go with a bench pull through splitter if I can't find a hand crank style one. Do you have a specific brand that your partial too?

[bruce johnson]

If these scraps are really small you will be much happier with a crank splitte. Like has already been mentioned you can start in the middle go one way, then turn it around and split the other way. You are limited by only being able to grab and pull on what extends beyond the front to back width of the blade. With a crank splitter if they feed well you just turn the handle.

As far as pull through splitters there are some lengthy threads on the advantages and disadvantages of the different makers and styles. I like Chase and Krebs pattern splitters for leveling and do most of my lap and edge skives on a hand crank skiver.

If you are shopping Ebay, there is a member here with a crank splitter on right now - here's the auction link - American crank skiver . I have an American I am using right now and have had some other Americans, Champions, and a Landis. The Americans are sure alright.

[Ferg]

I have bought an old splitter. Unfortunately it hasn't been delivered yet so I am at a loss as to good information for you.

This is a crank splitter and from what I have found out, you don't want a "Hand Pull through" splitter if you intend to do much splitting.

My splitter was intended for splitting shoe sole leather but "Wiz" has checked it for me and it does a great job of other leathers also.

Will post when I receive it and try it out.

ferg

If these scraps are really small you will be much happier with a crank splitte. Like has already been mentioned you can start in the middle go one way, then turn it around and split the other way. You are limited by only being able to grab and pull on what extends beyond the front to back width of the blade. With a crank splitter if they feed well you just turn the handle.

As far as pull through splitters there are some lengthy threads on the advantages and disadvantages of the different makers and styles. I like Chase and Krebs pattern splitters for leveling and do most of my lap and edge skives on a hand crank skiver.

If you are shopping Ebay, there is a member here with a crank splitter on right now - here's the auction link - American crank skiver . I have an American I am using right now and have had some other Americans, Champions, and a Landis. The Americans are sure alright.

[bruce johnson]

One factor with the crank splitters and Ferg sort of brought it up is the type of leather you are splitting. The commonly available crank splitters are designed to split shoe sole leather - firm leather and the blades on most are 6" wide. There are wider splitters that can do up to 18" and some a tad more. They get into way bigger bucks pretty fast. These will do firm leather pretty well because they are pushing the leather into the blade. Softer leathers can wad up against the blade and end up in uneven splits, especially once the blade loses a keen edge. One thing to watch for is to make sure the blade is set against the front stop to set the position. Even firm leather can get squirrely if the blade has slid back.

Crank splitters also go as fast as you turn the crank which is not rocket science to figure out. On long lengths this may not be a plus, it gets tiring and kids and wives strike for better pay. A pull through splitter will split as fast as I can rip it through. On the Americans and Champions crank splitters they feed from the back. Sometimes I will start a stirrup leather through with the crank and then grab it and walk away to let handle free wheel to get the job done faster and easier. One advantage of those particular style of crank splitters for me is using them like a pull through if need be.