Thinning Down Crocodile Leather Edges To This Kind Of Results

[leatherlover101]

Hello,

I have previously tried to thin down crocodile leather, and it seems that in these pics the thinning process is done perfectly, and in fact most likely it's real croc skin, and adding depth to the housing is also nex to impossible.

Can anybody advice on how to get this type of results, especially with the edges?

Many thanks for any advice, highly appreciated.

[DavidL]

there are ways to identify real croc, or alligator.

you can split with a specialize splitter for chrome tan that can split below .5mm.

or a skiving machine done in section

[terrymac]

Dremel tool with a sanding drum will feather edges nicely. Just be gentle. It appears the edges have been folded over. The raised effect is done by gluing some kind of thin material under the alligator.

Terry

[leatherlover101]

there are ways to identify real croc, or alligator.

you can split with a specialize splitter for chrome tan that can split below .5mm.

or a skiving machine done in section

Thanks for replies, I think that splitter would work, but can you explain what you mean by "specialize splitter"

is there a splitter that suits well crocodile leather, or will any splitter work?

thanks

Edited July 6, 2015 by leatherlover101

[stelmackr]

This is what I use to do fine leather splitting:

Bob Stelmack

[DavidL]

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=50706

That above type of splitter will work for crocodile, a band splitter, I don't know if it goes by any other name. The specs should allow the leather to be split down to fractions of a mm. In the picture you showed the leather is probably below 1mm. There was one splitter I saw, almost like a sanding drum that the workers would pull the alligator skin through with tension to shave down the flesh. No, I do not know the name of the machine.

A splitter for vegtan is not used for flimsy type leathers. It can not reach sub 1mm and probably can't even split the leather if it is too soft, although I never tried. It is what I understand of that type of splitter.

A skiving machine only thins down the edges. Without the guard on it can split the entire alligator hide an inch or two at a time.

Ask a dealer what they recommend.

[jk215]

At scale they are probably done on a "bell knife" skiving machine like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9DjcC3grgg

[mrtreat32]

Ahh I was gonna mention maybe scharf fix. I have been eyeing one at a bookbinding store near me but wasn't sure how well they worked. In your experience can it also skive down leathers that are around 4oz or is that too thick?

[Andrew Chee]

Don't get a scharf fix. I got one a while ago to do this and it cut through the leather all the time. Not easy to use. I ended up getting a bell knife skiver and I think it only cost me about $600-650. Not cheap but much better results.

Andrew

[leatherlover101]

Thanks for the most valuable input, I will let you know once I get desired results... thanks again

[Nuttish]

What's wrong with a traditional angled skiving knife? Bell knife skivers are expensive and have a steep learning curve. Lisa Sorrel's Japanese knives are cheap and quite nice.

[mrtreat32]

thanks andrewchee with your feedback on the scahrf fix. I'm surprised to hear that since book binders seem to love it.

[DavidL]

bell skivers are that hard to get right? I would imagine hand skiving would be harder, just the sharpening itself is one year learning curve. I only hand skive right now but always thought bell skiving machines were on the easier side.

[lilwaysleather]

Don't get a scharf fix. I got one a while ago to do this and it cut through the leather all the time. Not easy to use. I ended up getting a bell knife skiver and I think it only cost me about $600-650. Not cheap but much better results.

Andrew

where did you get your bell knife skiver? Is it fairly easy to use?

[Andrew Chee]

I got mine used from cobra Steve. Look around and your u can find them used for a decent price. They aren't that complicated but there's definitely a learning curve. I can answer any specific questions you have about use.

Andrew

[lilwaysleather]

Thanks. Which kind did you get? I heard that they are always needing adjusting to get them working right. has that been your experience ?

Also wondering if you can split down a whole piece of leather if you skived each area bit by bit...for example the backing of a leather wallet? Something of that size.

thanks

[lilwaysleather]

I got mine used from cobra Steve. Look around and your u can find them used for a decent price. They aren't that complicated but there's definitely a learning curve. I can answer any specific questions you have about use.

Andrew

I know there is a learning curve but is it as difficult as some say? Some of the videos on youtube make it look pretty straight forward.

Do you know the differences between the machines cobra steve has and the con sew s3-s4? Also interested in using it to split leather for certain projects, you can skive 2 edges on each side correct? so a piece the total of 4 inches across could be fully skived down from what Im understanding. Is there anyway to reach the center on something larger than 4 inches?

thanks

[Andrew Chee]

I know there is a learning curve but is it as difficult as some say? Some of the videos on youtube make it look pretty straight forward.

Do you know the differences between the machines cobra steve has and the con sew s3-s4? Also interested in using it to split leather for certain projects, you can skive 2 edges on each side correct? so a piece the total of 4 inches across could be fully skived down from what Im understanding. Is there anyway to reach the center on something larger than 4 inches?

thanks

The machine that I purchased from Steve was a Consew. It was a trade-in that he had. There's basically two kinds of bell knife skivers. Bottom feed only and top and bottom feed. The latter allows you to skive really heavy leather. They aren't as precise when you get down to the really thin stuff though. The main reason being there's a wheel on top that turns so it's not as precise as a stationary bar.

As for your learning curve question, it's really not that hard at all. It's pretty easy. There's some things to keep in mind depending on whether you skiving thick or thin stuff or soft or firm but it's really not that hard at all. As for your question about doing multiple runs to thin an entire piece of leather. While yes that's doable by doing multiple runs, the results are not perfects. You may end up with some ridges and thicker spots because the knife, feed wheel, and presser feet are never exactly parallel. With that said, it's still doable. The results just aren't perfect. Hope this helps.

Andrew