Has anyone ever used an "edge of the bench" skiver? See link in topic for an image

[twotrees]

Hey all,

So I make mostly bags with a lot of turned seams and rolled edges.  Up to now I've been hand skiving which works fine - I've become better at sharpening than I ever thought I would be! - but in the meantime I've been saving up for a bell skiver.  I'm almost ready to pull the trigger but $3000 is a lot of money and I'd feel silly if I hadn't researched other less expensive options first.  

I keep seeing pictures of this strange looking device pop up when browsing for used skivers, it's usually crazy cheap and I just wondered if anyone here has ever used one and what you thought of it?  I normally skive around 3/4" to 1" of about 3 to 4 or 4 to 5 oz chrome or oil tanned leather at least by half or to a feather edge if rolling.  Is this something that's achievable on a device like this?

Thanks in advance!

"Edge of bench skiver"

[Hardrada]

There's this paring machine too, for ~10% of the price of the bell skiver:

 

Edited January 5, 2020 by Hardrada

[Northmount]

22 hours ago, Hardrada said:

There's this paring machine too, for ~10% of the price of the bell skiver:

 

Better machine, much more adjustable than the other cheaper designs like the one linked to by the OP.

Tom

[Hardrada]

55 minutes ago, Northmount said:

Better machine, much more adjustable than the other cheaper designs like the one linked to by the OP.

Tom

You bet! After watching this other video, I know I want one.

 

[Arturomex]

This looks interesting but I wonder how well it would work on soft temper leather.  I checked out some of the Chinese made machines and it looks like they can use the old double edge safety razor blades. I wonder if that's possible with the German made machine.

Regards,

Arturo

[Constabulary]

Cowboy / Hightex has them too but they look sturdier than the other Chinese made ones on ebay:

https://www.cowboysew.com/leather-sewing-machine-for-saddlery.htm    (scroll down to the end)

 

[jimi]

I would personally look for a Bell skiver, you might get a good second hand one if you look around a bit. When it is up and running you will not regret it. a scharfix costs about 200 euros, i found a bell skiver for 400 and only needed a few worn parts changed which i was able to do myself.

[twotrees]

1 hour ago, jimi said:

I would personally look for a Bell skiver, you might get a good second hand one if you look around a bit. When it is up and running you will not regret it. a scharfix costs about 200 euros, i found a bell skiver for 400 and only needed a few worn parts changed which i was able to do myself.

I've been looking for a used one for the better part of a year. I think in total I found 3 and all so far away from me that by the time I figured in shipping costs (approx 3-500 CAD) and the risk of buying it without seeing it in person, it would be just as worthwhile to buy a new one. 

On 1/4/2020 at 11:20 PM, Hardrada said:

There's this paring machine too, for ~10% of the price of the bell skiver:

 

Have you used one of these? I mostly work with softer tempered chrome or oil tanned leather for bag and back pack making and I'm concerned that this wouldn't be up to task. 

[Hardrada]

7 hours ago, twotrees said:

I've been looking for a used one for the better part of a year. I think in total I found 3 and all so far away from me that by the time I figured in shipping costs (approx 3-500 CAD) and the risk of buying it without seeing it in person, it would be just as worthwhile to buy a new one. 

Have you used one of these? I mostly work with softer tempered chrome or oil tanned leather for bag and back pack making and I'm concerned that this wouldn't be up to task. 

Nope, unfortunately; though I intend to order one in the next few weeks. I must say this thread helped me find something I need, as I work mostly with veg tan. Yes, chrome tan stretches like bubble gum, so the Schärf Fix might not be suitable for you. Wish I had the machine already so I could test it on some chrome deerskin I have here and I could report back.

[Arturomex]

4 hours ago, Hardrada said:

Nope, unfortunately; though I intend to order one in the next few weeks. I must say this thread helped me find something I need, as I work mostly with veg tan. Yes, chrome tan stretches like bubble gum, so the Schärf Fix might not be suitable for you. Wish I had the machine already so I could test it on some chrome deerskin I have here and I could report back.

I'd really like to know how this works for you. I like the way it works on veg tan in the first video and the leather in the book binding video seems to be a little softer. If it works reasonably well on softer tempered leathers it will be ideal for what I want to do. Please, let us know what you think.

Regards,

Arturo