RKCrowe Report post Posted March 11, 2018 Just got a skiving knife off Amazon. Sold by Bayvan shop, $9.99. Stainless steel blade. Though it looks like several shops selling the same knife. I bought it because it was very cheap and also had numerous positive reviews. Also if it was junk, no real harm and I would buy a name brand knife. The edge was pretty rough but some time polishing and stropping fixed it up nicely. Opinion: it was worth the risk and price. And I accept that I will have to strop more often than a big boy knife, and start saving for a big boy knife. Works nicely on “designer sides “ too. As a side note: I also got the Aiskaer wide (French) beveler/skiver. Based on the stitching irons from same that I’m happy with. A quick polish and it is good to go. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bermudahwin Report post Posted March 11, 2018 I have tried handled paring knives but cannot use them, I always go back to my english Geo Barnsley flat skiving knife, like the one at Abbey saddlery, http://abbeyengland.com/Store/CategoryID/202/Category2ID/130/List/1/catpagesize/0/Level/2/ProductID/77309 35 years old and going strong. Maybe I need to try a new fangled one. H Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
battlemunky Report post Posted March 12, 2018 I have one of those Japanese/Chinese skiving knives and am quite pleased with ti as well. Same comments as OP for the most part, edge was a bit rough but after some stropping on some green rouge it is light saber sharp. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RKCrowe Report post Posted March 12, 2018 I’m really interested in the flat knives, even thought of getting a d2 steel bar and try to make one. But it will be the next skive knife I purchase By the way, I nicked the edge of my Chinese special. I filed the nick out and re-sharpened it and all is well again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Webicons Report post Posted March 12, 2018 I started with the same knife about a year ago. Does the job, cheap and the skills learned with it is transferable to any flat knife. For future reference, when you get the funds up, I highly recommend one of these made from Hitachi Aogami Super Blue steel. It truely is night and day. https://globalhighendtools.stores.jp/items/59a7ffdc3210d53a380001b2 Stainless will never get as sharp as carbon and the angle of the Chinese blade won’t allow you to use it upside down. 50 bucks (plus shipping) for a world class knife isn’t too bad either. Also available here: https://districtleathersupply.com/products/nobuyoshi-japanese-skiving-knife-36mm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
niakulah Report post Posted March 12, 2018 Bought this same knife too. As a beginner I had zero success skiving with it. I found this to be much better value: https://www.m.ebay.com/itm/WUTA-Leather-Craft-Cutter-Leather-Skiver-Cutting-Knife-High-Speed-Steel-/152933452519?nav=SEARCH And it can be used upside down too, giving a nice shallow angle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RKCrowe Report post Posted March 25, 2018 A follow up on the knife; it does a good job. However, if you want to shive more than 10-15mm, the wooden handle becomes a liability as it interferes with getting a shallow enough angle on the skive. Especially with thinner leather. I had get the leather high enough off the bench to allow the room to drop the handle low enough to get the shive correct. 10-15mm and less it is good. Something to consider if you are in the market. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites