Tormek Community Forum

In the Shop => General Tormek Questions => Topic started by: beauharlan on August 13, 2024, 05:32:35 AM

Title: Sharpening leather cutting tools. Which type do you use?
Post by: beauharlan on August 13, 2024, 05:32:35 AM
Hello, Is there anyone here who has worked with leather that can share with me their experience? I'm learning to make leather accessories and would like to know what kind of jig you guys use to sharpen your tools.

This helps me reduce some costs. Thank.
Title: Re: Sharpening leather cutting tools. Which type do you use?
Post by: John Hancock Sr on August 13, 2024, 06:40:34 AM
Quote from: beauharlan on August 13, 2024, 05:32:35 AMwhat kind of jig you guys use to sharpen your tools

Good question. I have been sharpening my skiving knives by hand. I have not yet found a way to sharpen it on the Tormek. Having said that, the knives rarely get chipped or blunt since I keep them pretty sharp and strop them regularly. For general cutting I use a scalpel and Stanley knife with disposable blades. I do strop them occasionally.

As for the edgers I strop them before each use.
Title: Re: Sharpening leather cutting tools. Which type do you use?
Post by: RichColvin on August 13, 2024, 07:47:13 PM
For the skiving knives, you should be able to use:



For the edgers, this is similar to sharpening smaller wood carving tools like veining tools.  I use a simple collar for that.  I've outlined a process for that at https://sharpeninghandbook.info/WW-VeiningTool.html.

For the pattern knives, a platform approach is also probably best.
Title: Re: Sharpening leather cutting tools. Which type do you use?
Post by: John Hancock Sr on August 14, 2024, 04:02:18 AM
Quote from: RichColvin on August 13, 2024, 07:47:13 PMThe platform approach
Quote from: RichColvin on August 13, 2024, 07:47:13 PMA straight-edge jig

Neither of these work with the skiving knife. It will not fit on the platform and is too short for the straight edge jig.

The only way really is to rest the handle on the support to assist in getting the correct angle.