Craftool Professional Leather Splitter - Reviews Please?

[spooky]

Our local Tandy is having a sale and I'm looking to purchase their Craftool Professional Leather Splitter and am very interested in reviews from anyone who might have purchased one, as it is still a large expense.

Thanks

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com.au/en-aud/search/searchresults/3792-00.aspx

[Kevin]

I bought one from The Leather Factory when they first came out in the early '90s. It took me a day's work to get it to work the way I wanted and I used it for about 17 years until the blade finally wore out. The metal in the blade was alittle soft. Of course, I have no idea what a new one is like though.

If I was going to buy a splitter now, I would save a few more bucks and get the Keystone from Campbell Bosworth. A friend of mine has one and it was wicked right out of the box.

Good luck,

Kevin

[colttrainer]

They are not worth the money. Blades a junk, to much slop in the frame. Best advice save money by from somebody that is not pinching the penny so hard.

[spooky]

Okay, so it sounds like that one is out.

Is anyone able to tell me if the Osborne Splitter skives as well as splits, or only splits?

http://birdsall-leather.com.au/product.php?productid=2700&cat=105&page=4

[cavsgt]

a pull type splitter IMHO works better as a skiver that a splitter. We have been using a crank type splitter for years and did not even bother mounting the pull splitters when we moved.

[spooky]

a pull type splitter IMHO works better as a skiver that a splitter. We have been using a crank type splitter for years and did not even bother mounting the pull splitters when we moved.

I probably should have added when I posted initially, that I am mainly looking at skiving straps up to 4 inches - does this make a difference. And, are there any alternatives (apart from skiving with a round knife) to skiving with a splitter. I was just looking at the Osborne Skife Knife, but have no idea what it is or what it is used for... yes, I'm a total newbie!

[cavsgt]

I probably should have added when I posted initially, that I am mainly looking at skiving straps up to 4 inches - does this make a difference. And, are there any alternatives (apart from skiving with a round knife) to skiving with a splitter. I was just looking at the Osborne Skife Knife, but have no idea what it is or what it is used for... yes, I'm a total newbie!

You would be better with an old shoe shop sole skiver if you can find one. We use one to skive stirrup lthrs. and such.

[Mijo]

After numerous failed attempts to purchase a hand crank splitter on eBay I bought an Osborne 86 splitter. I have no complaints about the 86, once you get it dialed in it's fast and easy to use. The 86 isn't set up to skive but I image the models that are would do an excellent job.

[ramrod]

+1 on the osborne 86. i bought one last year on fleabay and i love it. i'm not sure how old it is, but it looks like it's beenaround a long time. it works perfectly. easy to set up and use.