Knife for skiving

[threeravens]

Does anyone have a particular kind of knife that you prefer for skiving, or a brand that you'd recommend?

-J

[Johanna]

What kind of skiving? Big area, little area? Scoring for a fold, or splitting latigo? For general all purpose "skive it so it lays together nice and neat" jobs, like buckle ends of belts, the cheap Tandy skiver with the replaceable, easy-to-get razor blades is fine. For splitting saddle skirting, or doing big jobs regularly, there are a few specialized machines available. Maybe describe what you are trying to do to get a more specific answer, because I'd bet we all have a couple of favorite different tools to use for different situations.

Johanna

(My spell check didn't recognize any variation of the verb "skive". I wonder if skiving is unique to leatherwork? Any woodworkers out there? Well, I guess skiving would be "planing"? Off to look it up now...)

[threeravens]

At the moment, I'm focusing on skiving edges for sewing and cement-joining leather lace. I've got one of the clunky Tandy skivers, as opposed to the Skife, and I don't find it as precise as I'd like. Out of all the knives I own, of one kind or another, my Murray Carter kiridashi does the best job...I just don't want to ruin a semi-custom blade if I can avoid it.

Thanks,

Jim

[abn]

Jim, I posted a similar question on another forum several years ago, as I recall. Sandy Morrissey, a sheathmaker of high regard, recommended the Skife as the best all-around skiving tool (and one of the least expensive, too).

I got mine from Tandy (they call it a "Safety Beveler"), and it's served me well.

http://www.tandyleather.com/products.asp?number=3001-00

I think there's a good chance your custom blade will still outperform the tool listed above, but at least there's a lot less worry associated with nicking the edge of a $4 Skife. Good luck, -Alex

[Roger]

i have one of those also but, i prefer to use my headknife. i feel like i have better control.

most of the skiving i do is on the buckle ends of straps and belts

[Billsotx]

I agree the Safety Beveler is good even if it appears cheap. The roundknife works too.

Jo, someone posted a tutorial on another site regarding skiving with the roundknife; I don't know if you remember that. I think it was Verlane. I think I printed it and will try to find it. The reason I think it was her, is it was a PDF - at least I think it was. Anyway, since she gave you permission to use some of her others, she might share that with us too. Not trying to be the preacher ... lol ... I know you're busy.

[Johanna]

Bill, I found three tutorials she did, two on skiving with a knife, and one with a jig and a splitter. (Gosh, I love GMail!). Sending her an email now asking for permission to post them here.

Johanna

[Billsotx]

Cool! I had forgot about the one with the splitter. Her files are the next best ... where's she at? I'm going to have to save my pennies and buy her a new computer. Verlane! Verlane! Where are you? ...

[joet]

Verlane is located in Cody, Wyoming where she has her saddle shop, just a short drive to Sheridan. She is one smart lady. I had the opprotunity to take a class she gave in Sheridan last year on the headknife and it was worth the trip and the money spent.

[Billsotx]

Yep, and I'm planning a trip up to theCuster Battle Field and the Cody Museum next spring and hope I hope I can meet her - put a face with all the emails we've done. She's forgot more about leather than I'll every know. Maybe, I'll get lucky and catch one of her classes like you did. I'll bet you got your monies worth and then some.