Hilly Report post Posted November 4, 2008 I'm wondering what the limitations of a splitter are? Will they split very heavy leather? Will they split all different types of leather? Is there somewhere I can learn about the way a splitter works? Perhaps a tutorial or video I can watch someone split some leather? Maybe one of you who have/use one could post a vid on youtube or something? I have a side of heavy latigo that I would like to split some of it for a project. I would like to split some down to about 2oz. if I can, and split some down to about 3 or 4 oz. I am thinking of buying one, but as of yet have no idea of the make or model. Anything American made out there? I'm thinking of getting one with an 8" blade, if I can find a decent quality one I can afford. No hurry though. In the meantime, I wonder if there are any super helpful folks here that could split a couple pieces for me so I won't have to invest in thinner latigo? I'd be willing to pay something for your time and trouble. I would send it to you, and also pay for return shipping. Lemme know. Hilly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bree Report post Posted November 4, 2008 Splitters need a large heavy knife which is very sharp. They do a lot of cutting work so they need to be heavy duty with good quality steel that holds an edge well. The biggest limitation is pulling the leather through on manual splitters. It takes a good bit of force and you can damage the piece if you don't do it right. Best thing is to have the leather moved by power rollers (expensive machines) versus tugging on your piece. The mechanics are pretty simple... a roller pushes the leather up into the blade of the knife against a tensioner and the leather is moved through the knife splitting the piece. How big are the pieces and what shape are they? I have a Heritage 8" Skiver/Splitter which is an Osborne 84 clone (very common). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruce johnson Report post Posted November 4, 2008 Hilly, I will admit I am a splitter fan. I have started out low and traded what I think is up as I went. The basic deal is a fixed blade and some type of adjustable roller the leather rides over into the blade. The height of the roller can abe adjusted by screw or lever mechanisms. You can pull the leather through through the blade in one style, or feedwheels push leather into the blades on the crank splitters. The high end other splitters are bandkinfe splitters. Basically a horizontal band saw that levels wider pieces. There are several threads dealing with splitters. The big key is a sharp blade and keeping it sharp. With a sharp blade you should be able to do what you are looking for in several styles. I have a 10" Osborne Chase style that I can pull 7" widths through without a lot of effort. The bevel on those blades is pretty flat though. I had an American crank splitter that was alright. It was tedious to crank on long straps though, and softer latigo tended to bunch up against the blade sometimes. I ended up and just pulled straps through and let the handle freewheel. The handcranks are usually narrower than the pull through splitters too. I got a Krebs 6 weeks ago, and they are everything their reputation says they are. I like having the top and bottom roller to keep the straps from flipping up or riding the bevel and chopping. The Krebs and the Chase pattern splitters both have these. Neither of these have probably been made for 60 years though. If you are looking for new and like a handle splitter, the Keystone from Campbell Bosworth is probably the closest to the old good ones there is right now. It is not much more than the lower priced ones, and looks to be worth the extra. Otherwise Osborne still sells the makings of a decent tool. The blades will require some work to get them right before you use them. The others have a steeper bevel on the blade and more effort to pull something through, but still work alright. This is really one of those things that the old antiques generally outperform the new ones. Looking at the prices for new bench splitters vs. proven old ones from a guy like Bob Douglas or Keith Pommer, the oldies are the bargain in my hands. I think you get more for your money from those guys. You'll come away smarter after talking to either of those guys too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hidepounder Report post Posted November 4, 2008 Evverything Bruce said!...here's Bob's number...I know him and sure recommend calling him! I don't have Keith's number.... Bob Douglas 307/737-2222 307/737-2248 fx Sheridan, WY Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kseidel Report post Posted November 5, 2008 Keith Pommer 112 W 1st st. box 323 Worthing, SD 57077 605-372-4523 for those of you who are interested Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hilly Report post Posted November 5, 2008 Thanks for all the great replies. I think I might give this Keith a call soon. Bree, I've decided that I'm going to get a splitter - one way or another - and learn how to do it myself. Thanks. Hilly .......and the addiction becomes deeper..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
superchute Report post Posted November 5, 2008 I was by Keith's on satuday and he had like 9 spliter on hand. It was a great time and learned a lot in the little time I spent with Keith hope I get back soon to learn more. For you guys in to spots Keith had a bunch of machines to that. Russ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
