Skyver / Splitter?

[catskin]

What is the difference between a pull through skyver and a pull through splitter?

I have one that has the roller above the knife and as best as I can explain a piece of springy sheet metal in front of the knife to hold the leather up to feed under the roller and into the knife. The roller swings away from the knife to let you start the leather under.

Yesterday I bought a machine that has the roller below the knife and the knife at the top on this one the roller is spring loaded.

I have always thought of the first one as a splitter and the woman I bought the one from yesterday called that one a skyver.

Am I right? They both appear able to do the same job.

Neither has any maker mark, both are old but well made.

[Andrew Chee]

What is the difference between a pull through skyver and a pull through splitter?

I have one that has the roller above the knife and as best as I can explain a piece of springy sheet metal in front of the knife to hold the leather up to feed under the roller and into the knife. The roller swings away from the knife to let you start the leather under.

Yesterday I bought a machine that has the roller below the knife and the knife at the top on this one the roller is spring loaded.

I have always thought of the first one as a splitter and the woman I bought the one from yesterday called that one a skyver.

Am I right? They both appear able to do the same job.

Neither has any maker mark, both are old but well made.

You should pit up some pics of your machines and someone will be able to identify them for you.

Generally speaking, a splitter is used to split a piece of leather from one thickness to a thinner one. A skiver is used to taper the edges of leather usually so the leather can be folded over back on itself to make a nice edge or so the edges of multiple pieces of leather can be glued and sewn together without appearing too bulky. I've heard people use the term skiver when they mean splitter so there may not be a consensus as to the correct terminology.

It sounds like both your machines are pull through splitters. With a few exceptions in the bookbinding industry, there really isn't such a thing as a pull through skiver (at least not in the sense I described above). Hope that helps.

Andrew

[bruce johnson]

It sounds like your first one is a Chase type splitter and the one you just bought with the spring is maybe a #86 Osborne, although the Krebs have springs also. Andrew pretty much nailed the accepted definition, but some people use the term skiver and splitter interchangeably. A splitter will make a uniform thickness and a skiver will do a tapering cut. Both of what you are describing sound like splitters. There are a few that can both skiver or split. The Keystone or Osborne #84 have a handle that you can push forward with one hand as you pull the leather to make a tapering skive. Also a "Spittler" or Osborne #83 has a pliers handle that you can squeeze and push forward as you pull the leather to do the same thing.

[catskin]

Thanks Bruce. The one I just bought is exactly the same as the one just sold with picturers on the braiding froum. I haven't learned yet how to post pictures so if you would look at that one and tell me what model it is I would be greatful.

The one I've had longer has knobs the you can set separately on the roller so I guess it could skive to.

Edited February 10, 2012 by catskin

[bruce johnson]

It was an Osborne #86. Looked very clean and worth the money.

[catskin]

Got mine for a bit less so guess I did okay.

It was an Osborne #86. Looked very clean and worth the money.