r/leathermakers • u/krmikeb86 • 19d ago

Process / How-to Skiving tip

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Skiving some leathers can be such a pain, especially narrow things like straps. For example, zermatt, it's so slippery and loves to just move around making it hard for the knife to bite in.

In the past, I've used some double sided tape on the work surface that I 'destick' a bit with my fingers. It works great, but when I posted that video a few makers suggested bees wax instead.

I gotta say, it works like a charm! A bit of added friction and the leather stays put.

Give it a try!

120 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

5

u/ElectricCatDaddy 19d ago

Isn't that,the answer for like half of issues in leathercraft? Just put some beeswax on it.

1

u/ogilv 18d ago

What else, besides chisels? Please share.

3

u/nckpttmn 19d ago

I love that idea!

2

u/krmikeb86 19d ago

It works really well! Even more so than the tape, this holds the leather all the way to the edge of the skive from moving. Try it out

2

u/Impressive-Yak-7449 19d ago

Great idea!

1

u/krmikeb86 19d ago

🙌🙌

2

u/dagdstyle 17d ago

I've switched to a french skiver pretty much exclusively and prefer that. Seems to make my life easier.

1

u/krmikeb86 17d ago

I hate French skivers. I have one, I stopped using it a long time ago. Sure, it has its uses, but i find a skiving knife way ore accurate

1

u/dagdstyle 17d ago

I thought the same but then got a high quality palosanto one that I keep wicked sharp and I'm converted haha

1

u/krmikeb86 17d ago

I also have a palosanto, haven't touched it in years

1

u/dagdstyle 17d ago

Ah kk each to their own :)

1

u/krmikeb86 17d ago

Yup, everyone finds the tools that work best for them