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Skiving for the masses

Handy tools to have for a leather crafter include ones for skiving – as way of an explanation and as I have relayed before, “skiving” is the thinning of a thickness of leather. Many tools skive and are made for this purpose, and I will touch lightly upon two here… you’ve already heard me tell of the fearsome splitter.

Favorite tool of mine appropriated (but not designed) for this purpose is the razor blade plane, the Little Giant being a go-to unit. Date of birth undetermined, the Little Giant takes double sided safety razor blades. Being the frugal sort and using a fresh blade every-time I use the tool, I buy my blades on the cheap, usually of Indian manufacture. Use them once and chuck ’em.

Another good tool for skiving includes this unit from Blanchard, a French company. Sharp as hell, this blade is a heck of alot tougher to use, requiring a firm purposeful hand controlling it. With both of these tools, it is exceedingly easy to ruin your material as both tools want to dive into the leather once they gain purchase and “bite” into the material. These are good tools to respect and keep sharp. Amazing how dangerous a dulled blade is, and so, it is good idea to leave the strop out and give your tool a hit every time you use ’em.

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