How to pare leather

[peacheyjeff]

I sell them from my blog, just google Jeff Peachey

[Victoria958]

Where are can I get a knife like you're using? Can't find anything similar anywhere.

[jpschubbs]

Wow. That paring knife looks sweet with it's mirrored edge! No leather fluff and flakes here, just a strip of finely pared leather. Nice video and nice knife, Mr. Peachey!

[holgarfinn]

I'd really like to see a video about how to sharpen a paring knife, if you're so inclined.

[peacheyjeff]

(posted for "Simperina")

3. Use a flat, hard surface to pare on. A slab of stone, or glass, would be ideal. The smoother the surface, the smoother the paring (make sure leather shavings dont get under the leather youre paring, or else your pared edge will be full of holes), and your knife will stay sharper too, should it hit the stone.

[Simperina]

2. Begin paring at an 45 degrees angle along the very edge of the leather,move gradually into the leather, just as the video shows. Why? Youre clearing space so that your parings can go somewhere as youre working. Should you start paring without clearing out the edge first, youd be cutting into, and through the leather.

[Simperina]

While the video is very informative in its how to, let me add some whys to it. (Divided into 2 posts)

1. Your paring knife should be as sharp as possible only then you can achieve the smooth paring shown in this video. If youre sweating over your leather while its stretching instead of being pared,your knife is dull.