skiving buffalo or American Bison leather

[Silverd]

Hi All

 

Anybody ever skive Buffalo leather?  I understand it may be a bit of a challenge. 

 I have a client that would like to replace the seats and backs of an outdoor chair set and I'm thinking that Buffalo would be a good choice for him but I would need to skive it along the edges so it could be folded back and the edge finished stitched.  I normally use a Landis 5 in 1 skiver for everything.

 

Silverd

[DanC]

I have this stuff - and it is spongy not stiff.  Haven't tried to skive it - could barely cut a straight line with it due to its springiness.  You will need a very sharp and honed skiver or head knife, which I think would be better as it has a type/shape of blade that is easier to control for this type of stuff.  Skiver is good for stiff leather as you use it "sideways".  A head knife is straight on.

Use a Metal straight edge and clamp it to the table (if possible) and run the blade against it to try to get a straight line.  Practice on a junk edge to get a feel for the cutting.  It may take a few cuts rather than one long straight full cut to get what you want.  If you can't clamp at least draw a line to keep things straight.

You might have to buy a hunk of 1/16" or 1/8" aluminum for the straight edge if you don't have anything that you can run a knife against.