Left Handed Skiving Blade

[lulu1642]

Hi everyone

I am based in the uk:-)

I have a right hand skiver blade very sharp but I really struggle with it and wondered if anyone knows where I can buy one for us lefties, UK preferred but I haven't had any luck so far?

Great site by the way and love all the photos.....will put something up of mine when feeling brave - such talent.

Thanks in advance

lulu

[Django57]

This might be what your looking for cheap as well could nearly buy left and right handed to see how they feel . UK based .

http://www.hewitonline.com/English_Paring_Knife_p/tl-070-pk.htm

[lulu1642]

I have the right handed version of this blade and almost have to use it backwards and upside down:)) - exactly what I want - will make all the difference!

Many thanks

[zuludog]

I have made my own skiving knife from an old decorator's filling knife. I got it from a car boot sale for 50p. It was a bit battered & rusty, but a good one with a forged blade

I cleaned it up and cut the end of the blade at an angle with a hacksaw then sharpened it with files, oilstones, and a strop. It is now razor sharp

Because the blade is thin there is just a slight bevel on each side and it can be used as a left or right skiving knife

If not a car boot sale, many towns have a secondhand tool stall on the market

[Art]

The traditional skiving knife is not beveled on one side. In use, the bevel is usually toward the leather, however, usage varies with the individual and if you have one beveled on both sides, you have a right and a left. Many of mine have handles of leather and electrical tape, in America, an industry standard.

Art

[TinkerTailor]

Funnily, I use a 925 safety skife all the time for various things, and i think it is backwards anyways. I am a basically a righty. I am fairly ambidextrous however. In the right hand, that tool is designed to be pulled towards you. This forces you to reach over to hold the work and obscures the finished result. I tried it in my left hand and I prefer to push it away because i can see the result better. Plus i find is easier to hold the goods pushing away than pulling towards. Thus, I think that tool IS left handed. I would like a right handed one please........

[Ole South]

Doesn't Lisa Sorrell offer ambidextrous skiving knives?

http://sorrellnotionsandfindings.customboots.net/product/skiving-knives-2/

[lulu1642]

Hi everyone

Thanks very much for all your replies....interesting to see the solutions you have found.

I have been taught to always push all leather working tools away from me with hands behind the direction tool going to prevent injury....all good stuff.

As before - great site:)

Lou

[robbied]

I've been asked to make one of these for a fellow leather crafter, I'd make the bevel a little longer. They almost look like a Kiridashi in appearance.