Spyros Report post Posted October 22, 2021 All those old tools look pretty cool and I get it, on the other hand I bought a cheap 6" splitter from ebay and that's also great, so... It's just a blade and a roller, there's not much to it. I find the main thing with all cutters is your sharpening skill. How do you guys sharpen a 6" blade? mine has a secondary bevel which makes it hard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KathrynHD Report post Posted October 23, 2021 10 hours ago, fredk said: I think the splitter sold by Le Prevo is by 'Ivan' Check their price before you buy I have ordered some leather from them and it was good...I will check it out, thank you... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KathrynHD Report post Posted October 23, 2021 10 hours ago, Spyros said: All those old tools look pretty cool and I get it, on the other hand I bought a cheap 6" splitter from ebay and that's also great, so... It's just a blade and a roller, there's not much to it. I find the main thing with all cutters is your sharpening skill. How do you guys sharpen a 6" blade? mine has a secondary bevel which makes it hard. Thanks for the post......I have wondered if they work, there are a multitude on ebay of different types. Sometimes simple is best! Just having read reviews generally, it's getting an even split. I have watched videos on a few different ones but you don't know if they sharpen the blade particularly for that one ?? I think one of the many skills required with leatherwork is knowing how to sharpen tools....and not wrecking them in the process !!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KathrynHD Report post Posted October 23, 2021 I probably missed a good machine. I do like the thought of a good old machine but I will look into the Ivan one....I saw a new one ages ago which I thought looked good while on a site looking for leather stamps....but I can't find it again. It may have been the Ivan one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcuk Report post Posted October 23, 2021 10 hours ago, KathrynHD said: I will try that.....a friend of mine may know someone...Yes I have googled where to get the new Osborne's from. Artisan leather have an 'Ivan' one....not sure if you have come across those? Yes i got one when my tools were in storage while i was working abroad still have it somewhere don't know where they ok for lighter and small work not a patch on Dixon or Osborne they more for a hobbyist really i think. Here are some links for Osborne tools in the UK. https://www.metropolitanleather.com/Buy-Tools/Buy-CS-Osborne-Co-Tools https://www.abbeyengland.com/workshop-materials/tools/osborne-tools.html https://hwebber.co.uk/product-category/c-s-osborne-leather-working-tools/ https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/handtoolsuk?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 All good companies to work with i have and still do business with them the prices vary from each of them, it seems Metropolitan are the cheapest Abbey also carry another splitter looks a bit like the Ivan one, check among all the saddlery tools you will see it there don't know how good it is. I think H webber and son and Hand tools UK are the same people could be wrong though. It has been said by some people how they feel some of the tools from Osborne that the quality has dropped off which is a shame, i have some older Osborne tools which are great. Metropolitan also carry some George Barnsley tools which are good no nonsense tools. I see on the Artisan site they carry two Ivan splitters one deluxe splitter which i think is discontinued the other one is the the one i have some where and Fredk is right if you are interested in it check Le Prevo first cheaper but not sure if VAT has been added on the Le Prevo one even if it has not should still be cheaper. h Hope this helps JCUK Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcuk Report post Posted October 23, 2021 10 hours ago, Spyros said: All those old tools look pretty cool and I get it, on the other hand I bought a cheap 6" splitter from ebay and that's also great, so... It's just a blade and a roller, there's not much to it. I find the main thing with all cutters is your sharpening skill. How do you guys sharpen a 6" blade? mine has a secondary bevel which makes it hard. I sharpen mine pretty much the same as this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uUvErBUG68 As i said in an above post if you have access to a buffing/polishing machine it every now and then give a polish on it it should mean a lot less sharpening, i get a local farrier to do for mine but be careful with the blade don't have to tell you how sharp it is also don't let it get to hot. Also saw this looks interesting never seen this before. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tHpJAnknl4 Hope this helps JCUK Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KathrynHD Report post Posted October 23, 2021 22 minutes ago, jcuk said: Yes i got one when my tools were in storage while i was working abroad still have it somewhere don't know where they ok for lighter and small work not a patch on Dixon or Osborne they more for a hobbyist really i think. Here are some links for Osborne tools in the UK. https://www.metropolitanleather.com/Buy-Tools/Buy-CS-Osborne-Co-Tools https://www.abbeyengland.com/workshop-materials/tools/osborne-tools.html https://hwebber.co.uk/product-category/c-s-osborne-leather-working-tools/ https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/handtoolsuk?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 All good companies to work with i have and still do business with them the prices vary from each of them, it seems Metropolitan are the cheapest Abbey also carry another splitter looks a bit like the Ivan one, check among all the saddlery tools you will see it there don't know how good it is. I think H webber and son and Hand tools UK are the same people could be wrong though. It has been said by some people how they feel some of the tools from Osborne that the quality has dropped off which is a shame, i have some older Osborne tools which are great. Metropolitan also carry some George Barnsley tools which are good no nonsense tools. I see on the Artisan site they carry two Ivan splitters one deluxe splitter which i think is discontinued the other one is the the one i have some where and Fredk is right if you are interested in it check Le Prevo first cheaper but not sure if VAT has been added on the Le Prevo one even if it has not should still be cheaper. h Hope this helps JCUK Thought that may be the case, if you are going to spend on one of those it makes sense to wait a bit and buy a better one, particularly as I am only just starting. Just been a few times I wish I could thin some leather and if you buy it costs the same for the thicker as the thin so to buy the thicker for different products and thin as required. I am mainly concentrating on dog collars and maybe will do belts too and wallets/card holders so need differing thicknesses and easy to thin for those sizes. I am thinking I will keep looking for a used one..armed with the advice I have been given here....it's a shame the Osborne's are not the same quality....you would think with new technology they should be even better....Nigel Armitage does a good review on the 86a Osborne, maybe if I can't find a used machine I will go somewhere who allows and give the Osborne's a try. If I start producing more I will be able to justify it!! I have quickly clicked on the sharpening links...will watch those later. I have had a few nicks from my knives when I thought I was being careful... so yes I imagine one of those blades could cause an unpleasant wound !!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KathrynHD Report post Posted October 23, 2021 Sharpening is another skill which seems a necessary skill with leatherwork. Not so sure how I am going to fare on that one ! Practice.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KathrynHD Report post Posted October 23, 2021 (edited) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ-EnkRbiyc&list=PLu5txPOIXtG3JdlDEecSIYi9UqBrTAlIw&t=28s This looks pretty good, it's the 86a Osborne (an adaptation of the 86).....very pricey! I have looked at the 84 video which has other atributes I may find more useful in time, just wondered those of you who know the worth of the different benefits if it's worth just waiting for the more complex model? I gather with the 84 it takes learned skills to get the full use of out it. The 86a seems fairly straightforward. It also looks easier to pull the leather through on the 86a, going by his effort. Edited October 23, 2021 by KathrynHD to add a couple of words to make it clear Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KathrynHD Report post Posted October 23, 2021 3 hours ago, jcuk said: I sharpen mine pretty much the same as this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uUvErBUG68 As i said in an above post if you have access to a buffing/polishing machine it every now and then give a polish on it it should mean a lot less sharpening, i get a local farrier to do for mine but be careful with the blade don't have to tell you how sharp it is also don't let it get to hot. Also saw this looks interesting never seen this before. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tHpJAnknl4 Hope this helps JCUK Both interesting videos....the roll and sharp jig looks a brilliant idea.....wish he had shown the end result and said whether the 5000 made any difference. Would he not wear the blade down too quickly doing that every couple of weeks? Also, could you polish the blade if you got an attachment for a draper grinder? Off to go and start a new collar and design... Kathryn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spyros Report post Posted October 23, 2021 3 hours ago, KathrynHD said: Sharpening is another skill which seems a necessary skill with leatherwork. Not so sure how I am going to fare on that one ! Practice.. it's more like stropping and polishing in leatherworking... leather is soft, you don't need actual sharpening very often like you would with woodworking chisels. But when you do get to sharpening you'll probably find it's not one skill as such, more a collection of jigs and stones and sandpaper grits. And videos That's why I'm always very hesitant to add new tools, especially weird shaped ones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KathrynHD Report post Posted October 23, 2021 42 minutes ago, Spyros said: it's more like stropping and polishing in leatherworking... leather is soft, you don't need actual sharpening very often like you would with woodworking chisels. But when you do get to sharpening you'll probably find it's not one skill as such, more a collection of jigs and stones and sandpaper grits. And videos That's why I'm always very hesitant to add new tools, especially weird shaped ones. Reckon I will feel the same Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
