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KINGSMERE CRAFTS
HAND-CRAFTED LEATHER GOODS
Tools used in hand-crafted leatherwork
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Edge beveller |
Edge creaser |
French edge skiver |
Rawhide mallet |
Cutting mat |
Edge beveller:- Sometimes called an edge shaver, it is used to round off the edges of thick vegetable-tanned leather prior to burnishing, especially belts. They can have flat or concave backs (otherwise called hollow-ground). There are some eight different sizes, but usually sizes 1-3 are more than adequate.
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Edge creaser:- This tool is to impress grooves close to the edges and can be used on hide or on softer leathers. It can also be used on lapped joints to hide the seams. The one illustrated is an adjustable one enabling you to position the crease from, say, ¹/8" in from the edge, to about ³/4". The lower numbers are for lightweight leather, the higher for thicker. This particular tool is used cold, others can be heated to make the crease.
French edge skiver:- Usually made of drop-forged steel. It is not used for rounding edges because it is flat bottomed. It does however lend itself to making bevelled edges at any angle you desire, including mitre-joints. You can use it for gouging, channels and, of course, skiving.
Rawhide mallet:- A useful tool to have. The strips of rawhide, rolled when wet, the end screwed or nailed, when dry has a high tensile strength. It's usually balanced for tooling, and most importantly won't damage your tools.
Cutting mat:- The mat illustrated is a typical modern cutting mat. The self-healing, double-sided, cutting surface allows for repeated, precise cuts. One side is usually marked out in 1" grid increments, with a ruled border. You can of course get a board made of square wooden blocks. The preferred wood is lime, they are glued together so that the end grain forms the cutting surface and your knife blade won't get damaged. As it wears the surface can be scraped smooth again and redressed with linseed oil. You make your own choice.
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