I'm looking to buy a French Edger, mainly for a decorative step-down edge effect (like Philip does in the clochette video) and maybe thinning down fold-over areas. (and maybe some other things). I've found a few different tools online, do any of you have experience with these? Or can recommend another one? https://crimsonhides.com/products/french-skiver https://palosanto-factory.com/products/french-edger-bubinga-handle https://www.etsy.com/listing/640337419/m390-crafts-beveler-skiver-skiving-tools?ref=user_profile&pro=1 And about size: I think a 4mm wide skive would suit a step down effect at the edges, but maybe it's too narrow for other purposes. Would you say: just get a wider one (like 6mm or 8mm) and mark 4mm from the edge and skive till there? Or would you say: just get a 4mm and maybe later a wider one for other purposes? Maybe the questions are too vague, but i'd love to hear your thoughts. :)

I've been looking into getting a fileteuse (probably not a Regad, but a cheaper one from Crimson Hides, RM or KevinLee). Do you guys have any experience with them (mostly for edge creasing), and if so: is it worth the investment?

Hey peeps, I would like to get your thoughts on an issue I have, namely: having too thick leather. I'm mostly making watch straps for the time being, and usually use a maximum thickness of about 2-2.5mm in total without padding. A lot of leather is too thick, and I've tried using a cheap-ass manual splitter, but it just stretches the leather and damages it all over the front surface. For example: I really like Zermatt by Haas as a liner, but that's about 1.6mm thick I believe (without splitting). Which only leaves about 0.9 for the top part. And I'm not even talking about the keepers, which must be even thinner. Let me also say: this is a hobby and even though I don't mind spending money on it, there is a limit, haha! What would you suggest to me? - Getting a bell skiver (probably most versatile, but also costly and takes a lot of space. And how well does this work if I'm going to make a bit larger items?) - Just buying the leather pre-split (disadvantage is that I know that RM does it, but I'm from Europe and I'd rather buy directly from for example Tanneries Haas, than buy all the way from the US) - Just buy leathers that have the exact max. thickness I want. Disadvantage is that it limits my options quite a lot. Zermatt won't really be an option for example. - Any other ideas? Thanks a million!

Hey all, I've been slowly increasing my watch strap making skills with cheaper leathers. Now I think I'm almost ready to try some more expensive leathers. I'm looking to get try some alligator or crocodile, but not totally sure what to get. I read online that caiman isn't the best because the skin between scales cracks easily and it isn't too flexible, so I don't think that's a good option. Alligator seems more flexible, so my first guess would be to go for that, but maybe someone has a better advice. I saw that @Leathercraft Masterclass had a bunch of tail sections (of crocodile?), but I'm not sure where to get those. :) I'm from Europe, so I'd prefer a EU supplier. And preferable not the most expensive skins yet, I want to get some more experience first. Any help would be appreciated!

Hey all, I've been lurking around here for a while now and actually just bought a 6 month subscription. Good time to introduce myself here. ;) I'm Ramon, 33 year old, dad of 2 girls. My main profession is as a wedding photographer together with my wife (http://monetmine.nl/en/). I started leathercraft as a hobby a few months back, mainly to make watch straps for myself, but I'm slowly also making items for other people as well. My instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/rellinkleather/ I'm looking forward to learning a lot from the courses, but also from you guys. :) Cheers, Ramon