Best tool to skive or pare soft, stretchy leather

[kimberlyrose]

Hello! I'm having a really hard time finding the best tool for skiving soft, stretchy leather. I had my finger on the trigger for a $400 skiver at Tandy, but I don't think it's going to work for soft and stretchy leather. I need to be able to shave down my seams, and I use a LOT of soft stretchy leather. I have 2 skiving knives, but honestly my hands cramp up instantly trying to skive the stretchy leather. I have used leather hardener as well before the skiving. Does anyone know of a machine that will work with soft leather? I'm at my wit's end! Any advice is appreciated, thank you!

Edited December 10, 2019 by kimberlyrose
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[kimberlyrose]

For example, these tools descriptions mostly all say not ideal for soft leather:

and another

Edited December 11, 2019 by Northmount
Deleted bad link

[jimi]

The one in your second link is for stiffer bridle leather, straps, belts etc... first link sends me off somewhere else  I think what you would be best with is a bell skiver.

[Stetson912]

7 hours ago, jimi said:

The one in your second link is for stiffer bridle leather, straps, belts etc... first link sends me off somewhere else  I think what you would be best with is a bell skiver.

Unfortunately I think Jimi is right. A bell sliver is the way to go. I wish I could afford one. 

There may be a way to hand skive it but it would require an insanely sharp knife and quite a bit of skill haha

[kimberlyrose]

I tried it by hand. I'm too old for that!! wrists and fingers seize up, and it's a royal mess. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Stetson912]

11 minutes ago, kimberlyrose said:

I tried it by hand. I'm too old for that!! wrists and fingers seize up, and it's a royal mess. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

If you are serious about a bell sliver, leather machine co and Toledo industrial(I think) offer them. LMC  is a cobra machine distributor and Toledo distributes cowboy machines. That's where I would start my research. 

[kimberlyrose]

Thank you, but that is out of my budget at the moment! I wish I was able!!

[Stetson912]

1 hour ago, kimberlyrose said:

Thank you, but that is out of my budget at the moment! I wish I was able!!

I know the feeling haha

[Stetson912]

There is another option, schmidt scarffix and I believe hitex/cowboy make a skiving divide that is hand operated. It is for thinner leathers and uses razor blades. It's original use was for bookbinding. 

I personally would look into the schmedt as its German made. But the cowboy/hitex 809 is the same thing. They are about $200-$300 depending on what you get .  

I haven't used these machines myself, but they seem like a good alternative to a $2000 bell skiver haha

[kimberlyrose]

Ahhh, this machine was actually the one in my first link that for some reason didn't work! I will do more research. From what I've seen / read so far, this might be the only viable option. Thank you!

[terrymac]

A Dremel with a fine grit sanding drum works great, just a little messy.  A 1" belt sander with  a 400 grit belt also will work.  More than one way to skin a cat.

Hope this helps,

Terry

[kimberlyrose]

Hi Terry, 

I just watched a few youtube videos on this method. I would prefer a more quite route, but in a pinch, I'd do the dremel I think!