Tips for Skiving Leather

[@richardkatzman1215]

All great info tends to make people a lot smarter. Thanks Daniel.

[@williammrdeza9445]

Good tips, Daniel. Thanks for posting this. I will definitely try this out the next time I need to do some skiving.

[@1a1u0g9t4s2u]

One of the best tips you have shared with us. Very valuable for myself. Now I have some leather scraps and ruined project to practice what I just learned. Thanks for sharing.

[@brianlawson3757]

If you don't mind taking the time, you can strop your skiver blades to keep them sharp longer. I do the same with my utility blades as well. It's a bit tedious, but better than always needing to buy replacements.

[@DanielReachCreations]

Definitely! And yes, its definitely tedious. Given how inexpensive they are, I tend to just toss them and get a new one. But yes, you definitely can.

[@brianlawson3757]

@DanielReach-TheLeatherVerse I guess it boils down to whether or not you can afford to pitch a blade and have dozens more sitting around. Back when I was ordering from Tandy, it was too expensive, and shipping took 5-6 days. It's not like that anymore, but I still try to get the most life out of my blades as I can. I wouldn't put them on a stone or anything, but stropping regularly has saved me from having to replace my blades so often. It also helps with utility blades to get smoother, cleaner cuts. A few passes on white jeweler's Rouge and a cheap Stanley blade will sail through 8oz veg tan like butter.

[@blth14]

Super thanks! Just watched your vid, tried again and instant improvement!

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

That's awesome to hear!

[@snuffysmith7011]

Thank you for the tips. I would like to know when you need to skive and when you don't. I mean edges, bends, folds, etc.

[@DanielReachCreations]

Thats a great idea for a video! I'll add it to the list. Thank you!

[@snuffysmith7011]

@DanielReach-TheLeatherVerse Thank you, Daniel. I look forward to seeing this video.

[@davidmcguinness9187]

Thanks for the video

[@Wentz789]

Have you ever used the razor looking skyver? That is what I have. Which one do you like the most and why?

[@DanielReachCreations]

I have! I know a lot of people love it, but I don't find it as easy to control.

[@wojciechcylwik952]

Hello Daniel, I have a question. How to repair cracks on old leather? Thank you for your answer. Regards

[@DanielReachCreations]

That's a tough one. Conditioner will probably help, but it's hard to say without seeing it.

[@wojciechcylwik952]

@@DanielReachCreations THX I'll try

[@DanielReachCreations]

@@wojciechcylwik952 test it in a small inconspicuous area before you go big.

[@electrodyne1899]

I need a few more "thereFORE!"s in my Weaver Leather videos. But seriously, good tips and good video

[@DanielReachCreations]

45 degrees off perpendicular. 🙂

[@monikasturm2575]

Wish I would have known these tips when I was skiving the outer edges of the petals and leaves for the 25 leather roses I made for my mom's birthday party. My wrist was crud for a week after. 😅

[@outfitr9703]

Thanks good tips. I hate skiving. I think my biggest problem is dull blades and my failure to replace often enough.

[@anthony-fi]

You could have mentioned how to dispose the blades.

[@DanielReachCreations]

I recorded it, but it didn't make the cut. No pun intended. I use a blade bottle. It's just a soda bottle that I drop all my blades in. 🙂

[@BJH-fm1pf]

45 deg laterally or vertically?

[@kemitchell]

Leather shoemakers do tons of skiving on pieces thick and thin. Many of us do exactly the opposite of the recs here: buy or make a steel flat stock knife or Japanese leather knife, strop it rather than constantly chucking disposable blades, and temper (not soak) thicker veg-tan leather to soften for smoother skives and less blade dulling. It helps to skive on a chunk or tile of marble in your lap, brushing off scraps at the end or onto the floor as you go. Some representative videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpalm6Z3j5Kld9k (straight flat-stock knife) kzbin.info/www/bejne/pF6xf4h5nN6Yd5o (curved flat-stock knife) kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnnOhoKlr9pketE (Japanese and curved) kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6GQZWOvopWWrtk (push-style flat-stock)

[@th.burggraf7814]

👍🏻🤝🏻

[@rayflowers9097]

Wish you would have gone a bit deeper into skiving tips and techniques.

[@JohnTBlock]

ALWAYS STROP YOUR SKIVER BLADES - Just like every other cutting tool used in leathercraft!

[@Freeman-Dl70]

I suggest getting a bunch of blades, they get dull fairly easily. I folded my skiver like you've got in frustration. I bought a better one.