Quick tips - Improving your skiving starts here

[@robertdsilva4990]

If you worked under a Japanese master, you'd learn this after 10 years minimum. Thanks for the lessons. All 3 tips are priceless. 1) Stropping - man how underestimated this is. 2) Raise the skiving surface - awesome 3) Practice right.

[@CHARTERMADE]

Thanks man, I appreciate your message.

[@davidfrance2915]

Because of our current world state, I decided to pick up a new skill, leather working. I've always had an interest and respect in the lifestyle. Didn't take long to find your videos. When I just watch the video, I think, everyone must already be doing leatherwork with such great tutorials as these out there. I haven't started yet as I'm waiting on supplies, but the manner in which you teach is so accessible I feel as if I already know what to do. I think your videos should have a million views easy as anyone who is interested in the lifestyle can really appreciate your craftsmanship. It's stellar quality, and you share it in a way that relates to all levels, including a total newbie like me. What today's world is teaching is that more than ever to share the passions we have together and be a community together. Appreciate each day, each opportunity, and the chance to share with others. Thank you for continuing your community and sharing your passion. It does more good than you might think.

[@CHARTERMADE]

Hi David, getting into leatherwork will be a wonderful journey as you will be finding out. Thank you for your very kind message and words of encouragement, it is much appreciated.

[@kimzyemy5763]

there is something about this man .. he is a good teacher i can listen and watch his videos all day .. thanks ..keep it up

[@CHARTERMADE]

Thank you

[@dave131]

The man is a mind reader. Just this very moment, I took a break from attempting it with a starter kit knife after thinking it best to find some tips on KZbin. Open KZbin and this video is on top lol. Perfect. Thanks so much !!!! And yes, your knife is on my must-get list. Whenever I can get back to work that is.

[@CHARTERMADE]

Thanks Dave, hopefully we all go back to some kind of normal soon. Im working hard this side (luckily my workshop is at home) so when you back at work and I can send out items again we can come together and get you a knife. T

[@dave131]

@@CHARTERMADE Fantastic. Thanks for what you do. Stay safe.

[@kawonnowak]

Thanks Terrick, seeing you flip your knife after the initial cut made the light come on for me. Really timely as I'm doing skiving work right now. Thanks again. I hope you and Charlene are keeping safe and well. Best, Philip

[@CHARTERMADE]

Glad the video was helpful and yeah we doing well this side. Keep safe and thanks for your message Philip

[@notsofresh8563]

Skiving with the bevel down makes for a better hand angle, and eliminates the hand to granite clearance issue. This is the reason good skive knifes have a wide bevel. I recommend learning with the bevel down.

[@ChrisHodges87]

This is one of the most enjoyable lessons I have ever found on leather.

[@CHARTERMADE]

Cheers, glad you enjoyed.

[@marktaro]

Sharpening my skiving knife for the first time was the biggest game changer

[@thejonathandoan]

Thank you!! Skiving is my Achilles heel...

[@notsofresh8563]

Skiving with the bevel down makes for a better hand angle, and eliminates the hand to granite clearance issue. This is the reason good skive knifes have a wide bevel. I recommend learning with the bevel down.

[@khornethegrim8258]

Good tip for getting a piece of granite; find a local company that makes granite countertops. They are often willing to let you pick something out of their scraps pile either for cheap or for free. The piece may not be square, but you should be able to find one that has a nice finished top and be an even thickness.

[@evybabee]

Thanks for making this video! I think I might have a better time skiving if I could sharpen my knives better or I had one of your beautiful knives!

[@dave131]

Same

[@donpayne562]

As nice as his knives are you still have to sharpen them.lo

[@oldoutdoorsguy3238]

@@donpayne562 And, if I may add to your excellent comment, PRACTICE with your tools, ALL of them, EVERY day!! That is the ONLY way that you will become skilled at any "hand made" procedure for which you most likely have no prior training! I am 77 years old and I consider myself still a "student" when it comes to learning new ways to do both old things AND new things in my life. I have gone through 2 different lifelong careers, plus so many other "interests" ranging from candle making to leather braiding to blacksmithing, to weeks long wilderness survival much before that became so "popular", and too many others to waste everyone's time here on this board. I have always been able to learn SOMETHING about something in ALL of my interests no matter how much I thought I knew about any of them. It is SO true, "you never grow too old to learn something new"! Good luck and y'all stay safe .....

[@markkennedy6155]

Awesome tip on hanging your hand over the edge of the table. Great video.

[@CHARTERMADE]

Thanks Mark, glad it was helpful.

[@mitchblackmore5230]

Nice. The very first tip makes me feel better about buying a 3" thick granite surfacing plate for my punching surface.

[@waynethebarber1095]

I am not a leather worker. But I often think abouting making something I need. Your video gave me am understand of a skill I would to make most anything in leather. Even just to make it easier to sow by hand.... Thanks! Something new to know.... ps, you look like a master at leather... CHEERS, AND STAY SAFE! We will get past all this.... And dont forget to pray.... He will help us....

[@bethtt1836]

I am not doing any of those things and now I will be doing all of those things! Excellent ideas 👍🏼

[@jayjohnson1440]

This is by far the best video on Skiving!

[@mrdobalina3451]

Thank goodness you’re a leather worker and not another content creator pretending to be a leather worker 🙏

[@saulcordero9874]

Greetings, is very useful your video, enjoy all counoledge and skills.

[@johnnyjohnson2894]

Cheers! I think I'll make one of these for a friend once I finish tuning my knife. Thanks again for the great quality, concise information.

[@codymichaelsouthgate9705]

GAHDS!!! THICKER GRANITE!!!! Its so obvious!!! I am constantly stuck unable to get my wrist at the lower angle I require. Yup, heading out pronto for the right tool. Your videos are awesome, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@oldoutdoorsguy3238]

I am systematically watching each one of your videos starting with those dealing with procedures for which I THOUGHT I had a decent hand with things! I just finished your saddle stitching video and the method you use and the plan you have to walk others through your process simply leave me speechless. And that is coming from an ex-post secondary vocational instructor in Auto body Repair and Refinishing along with writing estimates, ordering necessary materials and parts, and using hydraulic, pneumatic, and computer controlled tools and equipment to make the job of the modern auto body repair technician that much more enhanced and easy to do. The actual learning in my program was NOT from a book but from actual inshop labor and practice doing the repair for which I usually did at least one demonstration to illustrate the tools used and their methods of handling before allowing my students to work on any of their project vehicles or other vehicles of people who didn't have the money or the inclination to have the work done at an established area body shop. And the owners of all of these shops were intimately involved in my vocational program in different ways which all worked out great for the students because they were "pre-screened" by most of the area shop owners prior to graduating from the training and being hired directly out of training! It was a real Win Win situation for all concerned. But back to the subject at hand, I have 2 questions for you, concerning the hand tools that you offer on your webpage. I noticed that all but maybe a couple of downloadable pattern kits on your website were "sold out". Is that to be a permanent situation or are you planning to put more of your pattern and skiving knives back on the market sometime in the future?? I signed up on your site for "updates" which, I assume also include any new or back in stock knives and other tools associated with leather working. I also would like to know where you purchase your diamond awls, the unhafted awls which you alluded to in your video on sharpening and stropping and building a diamond awl. I have used the Osborne hafting handles for a number of hand tools and have used most of the "tweaks" that you have shown in one way or another to make the handles more useable and comfortable when doing a lot of work during a day's time, so I am familiar with their use and sources. But I could not find, in my limited searches, a source for the bare unhafted awls. Keep up the fine videos and I hope you find time to keep making quality videos, the likes of which you have posted on your KZbin channel now!

[@friscokid66]

I've learned that having a sharp high quality knife is also a big factor.

[@jackal1776]

Please keep the videos coming. They help a lot!

[@JohnDoe-ls2ww]

Great tip on surface plate thickness.

[@michaelcarpenter2116]

Your advice is, as always, very helpful. You cut to the chase and sum years of experience up in a couple minutes. Thank you. Wonderful work, great video (content and production) and meaningful teachings. Stay safe and happy Easter.

[@CHARTERMADE]

Thanks Michael and happy easter to you and yours as well

[@robertgalick5419]

Very helpful sir.

[@philc2604]

another great video Terrick, thanks from Phil in Ireland

[@JohnJCampbell72]

Great video. Thank you 🙏

[@zidnyknight3611]

Thanks, please make video for making and finding awl material

[@lolonaut1]

Looking forward to new videos ! Hope you're doing great ! Greetings from germany

[@CHARTERMADE]

Hi David, thanks for your message and Charlene and I are really wanting to get a few more videos done soon. T

[@susantipsyhealy7655]

Hello Terrick, I just discovered your channel and already learned so much . Not sure if you have done this or not, but could you make a video on the various types of skiving knives and how each are used? Ie: Lap, Japanese etc Stay well

[@bella-bee]

Thank you. But it worries me seeing you skive towards the fingers of your left hand. I’m sure you’re ok cos your knife is sharp and so you’re not pushing as hard as you need to with a blunt blade, which might therefore slip, but someone might copy what you’re doing but without that skill. What do you think?

[@michaelsmith-ep7jq]

I skive with the bevel down. One has more control of the depth and one need not hold it at such a low angle and need a thick granite. I skive small pieces like belt loops with bevel up.

[@taradixon1]

Thank you so much! I've learned do much from your videos! So helpful!!

[@CHARTERMADE]

Thanks for your message, I appreciate it.

[@londonjacks8371]

Great information, thank you.

[@CHARTERMADE]

Thanks for your message, I appreciate it.

[@MarvinJobs]

THANK YOU!! Super helpful, as always!

[@andrewstratford1509]

Great stuff Terrick!!

[@CHARTERMADE]

ANDREW, thanks man

[@samaker4]

Great video, thanks for making it

[@DPCSchannel]

Youve got your self a subscriber

[@atelier_nilsson]

Nice!

[@CHARTERMADE]

Thanks

[@danielstyffe]

Another tip for those finding it hard to source a thicker stone/glass is to use an English style skiving/pairingknife. Let's you get a bit closer to the material:)

[@grahamcawthorne3720]

Thanks again Terrick, I am always pushing my knife to the limit before stropping! Time to stop and strop more often

[@CHARTERMADE]

No worries and glad it was helpful

[@johnnyc.5979]

I thought I had no skills when it came to skiving, I could never get that thin layer cut. Turns out THE KEY to skiving is having a super sharp skiving knife. Problem solved.

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

Just had to "adjust" a wallet I was making a couple of days ago because I skived a divot in the one edge. Very good advice on letting your hand hang out over the edge of the slab. Lower angle will make a big difference. Thanks. Also, did you round the corner of that knife or did it come that way? Looks like a nice addition to a skiving knife.

[@CHARTERMADE]

This is the knife I designed years ago and I do make and sell them.

[@pepleatherlab3872]

Thanks T,..Skiving is definitely my weakest point.

[@CHARTERMADE]

No worries man ;)

[@alexqueipo5070]

Should you do your skiving before you’ve dyed your leather. I want to start a wallet but it’s a bit more technical and delicate of a process than the backpacks I have been making.

[@jgdevoe]

I noticed you started with one side of the blade and then flipped it over to finish the slice. Why?

[@cuankorsten]

"Practice makes permanent. Perfect practice makes perfect permanent" 😉

[@CHARTERMADE]

Oh Yes ;)

[@Lame_Kiwi]

if i had a knife like that

[@EdTheMobGuy]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge! Btw where are you from?

[@dmack1827]

My tip, buy a Chartermade skiving knife and keep it sharp. Improvement will be immediate.

[@CHARTERMADE]

Cheers, thanks

[@ZippedUpKitz]

Hey there… new subscriber here… got a question… is reprofiling a skiving knife the same process as reprofiling a hunting knife or kitchen knife? I know the edge profile degree is different but the reason I’m asking is that one of my skiving knives was knocked off my work bench and hit the concrete floor right on the corner and now I have this horrible chip there that keeps me from being able to strop the blade without tear the snot out of my stropping leather… I have put new profiles on many of my pocket knives, hunting knives and kitchen knives but never have I done so on a skiving blade… I don’t want to completely destroy this knife as it wasn't cheap… I don’t want to buy another one either for the same reason! I’m 100% disabled so, my income is fixed and every penny is precious… any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated! Edit: I LITERALLY JUST saw you have a video on fixing damaged blades… I closed out this video and then see you have one on fixing blades… talk about serendipity!!!! lol… still, would appreciate any advice…. Going to go watch that other video now…

[@jean-marclabonte2844]

Terrick, thanks for posting this video about skiving. But as a Leather crafter and teacher with many years of experience I wholeheartedly disagree with your finger placement when you are skiving. I noticed that the fingers of your left hand are directly in front of the skive when you are slicing the initial cut in the leather. For the beginner this is completely wrong and dangerous. That is the best way to get a nasty cut that will probably require stitches. After the skive is committed into the leather I could see why you would place your fingers there, but not at the beginning. I would never teach this method to any of my students. You should let people know of the inherent danger with this method. Take Care and stay safe.

[@CHARTERMADE]

Hi Jean, thanks for your message and concerns. Even though I don’t go over my technique in this video I have in many previous videos and also in a dedicated video on how I skive leather. I can assure you that my fingers are in no danger and the blade passes under my fingers. I have worked with my hands for many decades and I am very aware of the dangers that come with my chosen profession. As a knife maker I risk the chance of real injury with powerful machines but I rather choose to look at the love I have for the craft rather than the possibility of injury. That fear would limit me from taking any action. Saying that, I practice saftey 1st in what I do, as you can imagine that our income comes from the labour of my hands. Over the years I have taught many students myself and I would never put someone at risk. If I followed the philosophy of don't do something because you can get hurt (leatherwork specific) I would never have started stitching with an awl as with the many horror stories of old timers relaying that time they slipped and it penetrated the finger only to stop as it hit bone. One of my personal philosophies is to always be open to learning and when I feel a strong emotion toward something I have learned that I have something to learn. With that said, if you would like to hop on a skype call with me and I can show you a little more of my skiving process that would be great to. As you have also been working in this industry for years Im sure we would have a lot in common and get to enjoy a few stories together. Regards Terrick

[@invictusigwe6349]

I have a question: in this video, is that the “right-handed” model of that knife that you are using?

[@endurancechiro2607]

Thank you for all the tips! It is incredibly helpful. 1 question though, How long do you let the glue dry before using the pricking iron? I have a lot of issues with the back layer of leather shifting (especially with 3-4 layers like a wallet) and ruining the stitch line. I usually let the glue sit 8 hours. Or is it something else I’m doing wrong?

[@V3leathercraft]

Skiving with Halfmoon knife is difficult 😥😥😥

[@MRaley69]

Can I purchase a knife like that? If so where. Thank you for all your help in teaching us..😁

[@dave131]

If you're in the States, Rocky Mountain Leather Supply has all his knives. Great source for supplies too.

[@MRaley69]

I typed before I looked..ty for the quick response..hard to find a good one like you have..most are pretty small..thanks as gain

[@CHARTERMADE]

@@dave131 Thanks Dave

[@oldoutdoorsguy3238]

@@dave131 Thanks so much for your tip, Dave, I buy mostly all of my thread used in stitching from RML and never connected their knife offerings with things more current in my life lately. If you haven't given Ritza aka, "Tiger" thread a try, it will change the way you do stitching. RML has smaller quantities to try out, so you don't need to buy a whole spool of it to get a feeling for how much difference it makes in the "attitude" of your stitching. Good luck and stay safe.

[@blancocastellanos3807]

Do you sell any of the tools you use?

[@christytuxworth4205]

How come you only skiv the edges of the wallet pockets? If the idea is to have an end product that is less thick, why do you choose not to do the whole pocket?

[@CHARTERMADE]

The skived edges is to make the edges less thick which makes a visual difference of the end product. If you want the complete product to be thinner you would split the leather. This removes thickness from the complete piece.

[@robertelkins7441]

Excellent video! Are those leather pieces veg tanned? I've tried a couple of times to skive chrome tanned leather and the leather keeps stretching away from the blade. Do you have any advice for this? Thank you!

[@CHARTERMADE]

Glad you enjoyed the video, I have another video on the channel just about my skiving technique that may be useful to your challenge. When Im skiving chrome I do a full sharpening before I start on the leather.

[@CHARTERMADE]

Yes, this is vegtan. This is my preferred leather for things I like making

[@oldoutdoorsguy3238]

There is always a reason why your leather will stretch away from any cutting blade. More likely than not, it is the fault of the tool not being sharpened to the high level of "sharpness" which is needed to have the knife or other cutting/piercing tool slide through almost any leather like a hot knife thru warm butter! I spent very many years of sharpening part of the way toward this level of sharp before I took some workshops from a Scandinavian named Ian Kirby who happened to be doing some summer workshops in the Midwestern USA years ago. He started out first hand by showing the classes WHY something is done before something else and the importance of each of the steps to enhancing the other in the overall scheme of things! He is still teaching classes in the Western part of the States and I highly recommend taking any of his classes on the basics of sharpening, starting with "Why we MUST flatten the backside of any "chisel" type of cutter before we can get a positive sharpening response on the cutting side of that tool". You will be amazed at the time saved to learn how to do the job correctly the first time .......

[@andyp90210]

Thank you for the wonderful tips and lessons. Please could you speak a little slower as I have difficulty understanding your accent.

[@vaelrublack-diamond4378]

You can change the playback speed, so the speech is a little slower by clicking the Settings button in the lower right-hand corner of the screen and choosing a number smaller than "Normal" like ".75" or smaller. This should slow down the playback some with minimal audio distortion. Settings > Playback Speed > .75

[@haroonikhan1201]

Show leather rougher

[@cluhendrix8432]

I thought this was about skydiving.

[@CHARTERMADE]

Lol, I have threatened to go for a jump for many years

[@cluhendrix8432]

CHARTERMADE :)

[@AB-ut3ce]

skivinig is so easy, why are we even here?