Yes I, like Sandy Morrisey (who's been at this leather drafting stuff since the good Lord made dirt
)and other fine leather crafters often use the safety beveler even though I/we own some quality skiving knives as well.
As Harry noted they look cheap and are cheap but work great. I finally replaced mine a couple of years ago after 25+ years of use, it just got plum wore out. As Stacy noted get plenty of extra blades (they use ejector type razore blades) and chenge them often.
A hint: LIGHTLY dampen the leather before skiving and it's all about finesse and keeping that blades sharp, when skiving.......
The following folks all make or can supply good head knives, round knives, and soem of them skivers if you're interested - none are not cheap and you'll need to learn how to keep them sharp - stropping is the key. About the only other skiver I use other than the safety beveler these days (which can cut you!) is what is called a french skiver - I use it only for certain purposes such as skiving the edges of thin leather when I'm covering a box or some such.........
Douglas Tools
46 Wakely Rd.
Sheridan, WY 82801
Phone: 307-737-2222
Fax: 307-737-2450
dsctools@fiberpipe.net
Dozier Knives
P.O. Box 1941
Springdale, AZ 72765
Phone: 888-823-0023
http://www.dozierknives.com/inventory/thumbnails.php?album=2
Jeremiah Watt -
www.ranch2arena.com
You might also want to check with Paul Long aka sheathmaker here on the forum - he's knows a leather crafting knifemaker down in Texas IIRC who he says makes some of the best and Paul should know.......
I originally bought the Safety Beveler. It must have come with dull blades because I ended up bending it out of shape after about the second use. They are not very sturdy and are made of bent sheet metal.
That's when I bought the Super Skiver. It uses the same blades as the Safety Beveler but works ten times better. Plus it is made to last a lifetime.
Get the Safety Skiver.
Mike L.
Mike - you are the ONLY person I've known in the past 48 years of crafting leather that has made that statement about the Super Skiver. Myself, Sandy, and everybody else I know that's been at this for any length of time has bought one, tried it and failed to make them work (it's what Harry was referring to). Either you got the one that works or........
As for your luck with the safety beveler you're also the only person I know that has had bad luck with one - as noted my last I had for 25+ years and used the heck out of it and have never even come close to bending it ........FWIW - I'm 6' and weigh about 240.......
