Opinions On Fratelli Skiving Machine

[CampbellRandall]

On 10/30/2016 at 4:11 AM, Singermania said:

Yes another fairly standard Fortuna style skiver, I'd be surprised of the bell knife and other main components aren't interchangeable with Fortuna and other clone bottom feed skivers.

The only parts that remain somewhat interchangeable in the skiving world are blades and accessories (feet, feed wheels etc). Grind stones, belts, general replacement parts differ across the brands.The Asian skivers, in my opinion, are copies of copies - more imitations than clones. FAV follows the Fortuna design (the industry benchmark) better than any other machine on the market. FAV is still made in Italy, 60 years under the same family, with most parts directly interchangeable with the classic Fortuna skivers (current generation Fortunas are on a different platform). We sell and support both FAV and Fortuna brands. Fortuna is a fantastic machine, but few can afford the new cost. FAV is a strong contender in factory production and a good value. 

Edited November 1, 2016 by CampbellRandall

[RockyAussie]

Once again I must say I wish there was a CampbellRandall style of supplier in Australia. I have a Fortuna and a FAV AV2 and both are very good machines.

The main difference is on the FAV that I have is the screw down holder on the back that allows the feed wheel to be set at different feed speeds if running continuously. I do find the Fortuna a little smoother but as I said both are very good and are IMO one of the essential tools in serious leather goods production.

[Singermania]

I guess we are always going to have some elitest sales talk on this site, as far as I can see the Chinese machines are straight copies of the Fortuna, I'm not going to go into what a copy of a copy is.   I have an old Fortuna skiver here in our showroom side by side with a new Cowboy 801 skiver, to try to see the difference takes quite a bit of searching.   The bell knife, feed etc are all the same.

RockyAussie, what is it you are looking for in an Australian dealer?  Cowboy Leather Machines is Australia's biggest heavy leather sewing machine supplier, we also supply skivers, splitters, creasers, clicking presses etc.

[CampbellRandall]

3 hours ago, Singermania said:

 

I guess we are always going to have some elitest sales talk on this site, as far as I can see the Chinese machines are straight copies of the Fortuna

 

Singermania - I'm not trying to be an elitist or cause contention. I was simply stating that the only parts directly interchangeable are the feet and feed stones, as you noted. The mechanics on the Asian skivers are different and not interchangeable with Fortuna. The Asian skivers also have different feed system than the Fortuna / FAV machines (independent clutch or variable speed from the knife).

From a distance a KIA might look like a BWM, but that does not make them the same. The Asian machines are a fine solution for many people - our customers are mostly high production / high demand industries so we have different needs. No insult intended. 

[Singermania]

Yes fair comment, I was thinking more about the interchangeability of the bell knife and driving stone than in depth mechanical side.   MInd you I have then both in front of me and its hard to spot a difference.   By the way I have a Randall here and love it.   best regards Steve

[JeannieH]

On 11/1/2016 at 0:05 AM, CampbellRandall said:

The only parts that remain somewhat interchangeable in the skiving world are blades and accessories (feet, feed wheels etc). Grind stones, belts, general replacement parts differ across the brands.The Asian skivers, in my opinion, are copies of copies - more imitations than clones. FAV follows the Fortuna design (the industry benchmark) better than any other machine on the market. FAV is still made in Italy, 60 years under the same family, with most parts directly interchangeable with the classic Fortuna skivers (current generation Fortunas are on a different platform). We sell and support both FAV and Fortuna brands. Fortuna is a fantastic machine, but few can afford the new cost. FAV is a strong contender in factory production and a good value. 

Hi. I looked at your site but the fav skiver doesn't have the price listed. How much is it?

[Wizcrafts]

3 hours ago, JeannieH said:

Hi. I looked at your site but the fav skiver doesn't have the price listed. How much is it?

Campbell-Randall is a business. You should be asking this question via the contact form, or email address, or phone number listed on their website.