Leather Splitter On Small Scraps?

[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.