Bob's Rocky Mountain Sewing Supply

Clickers, Splitters, Skivers & Strap Cutters

Ranch King Industrial Sewing Machines
Artisan Industrial Sewing Machines

Industrial Clickers, Splitters, Skivers, and Strap Cutters are essential machines for leatherworking and leathercrafting, helping to streamline production, improve precision, and boost efficiency.

What is a Skiving Machine?

A skiving machine, also known as a bell knife skiver or beveller, is a specialized tool used to reduce the thickness of leather by shaving off a thin layer from its edge. This process creates a tapered edge, making it easier to fold and sew for a clean, finished look. Think of it like the hem on a skirt or shirt sleeve—only for leather. You’ll often see skived edges on the tops of handbags, wallets, and even belts, where the leather needs to be folded over to secure a buckle. Skiving machines are essential in industries like boot-making and strap goods manufacturing. They are also used when two leather pieces need to be joined seamlessly, with one piece skived on top and the other on the bottom. These overlapping edges can then be glued and stitched together to form a smooth, flat seam.

At the heart of the skiving machine is the bell knife, a curved, bowl-like blade positioned on its side. The sharp outer edge of this rotating blade does the cutting, moving away from the operator while waste leather falls through a cutout in the table. To maintain sharpness, the machine features a built-in sharpener—a grinding stone that matches the knife’s inner curve, engaged with a clutch lever.

Skiving machines are powerful tools, capable of beveling leather edges from the thinnest materials to heavy 14-16 oz. hides. With precise adjustments, operators can create smooth, uniform bevels or reduce thick leather from ¼” down to a delicate, paper-thin layer.

There are two main types of skiving machine feed systems:

  1. Lower feed only – Suitable for leather up to 12 oz.

  2. Upper and lower feed – Designed for thicker leather, up to 16 oz.

To skive leather, the material is fed from left to right across the blade’s edge. The width of the skive is controlled by adjusting the back guide (or fence), while the depth is set by modifying the height of the presser foot, which holds the leather in place. Swapping presser feet—flat, sloped, or U-shaped—allows for different skiving styles.

As your leatherworking business grows, so will the need for specialized machinery. A well-equipped shop can handle both custom, made-to-order leather goods and high-volume production, ensuring quality craftsmanship across a wide range of products.

Precision Cutting in Leatherworking

Cutting leather into precise shapes can be a challenging and time-consuming task, especially when producing multiple identical pieces. To streamline this process, the leatherworking industry relies on specialized machines such as strap cutters, splitters, and clickers. These machines not only enhance productivity but also reduce labor costs, making them essential tools for modern leather goods production.

Strap Cutters

Strap cutters efficiently slice leather into strips, ranging from 14 inches wide to less than 1/8 inch. They operate using circular blades that cut the leather as it passes through. Adjustable spacers between the blades allow for multiple strap widths—such as 1-inch, 1.5-inch, and 2-inch straps—to be cut simultaneously. These machines are invaluable for crafting belts, handbag straps, dog collars, harnesses, leashes, and equestrian equipment like reins and bridles.

Splitters

A splitter is another essential machine, designed to reduce the thickness of leather with remarkable precision. It features a sharp horizontal blade and rollers that guide the leather through, thinning it down to as little as 1/64th of an inch. Leather is also measured in ounces, and a thick 14-16 oz. hide can be split into 2-3 oz., 5-6 oz., or 7-8 oz. sections. This allows for versatile applications, such as using a thicker leather for saddle seats while applying thinner leather to cover the horn and other saddle components.

Clickers (Die-Cutting Machines)

A clicker is a powerful hydraulic die-cutting machine used to stamp precise shapes from leather. It consists of a large nylon cutting board and a heavy swinging arm, which is mounted on a sturdy column. The operator places a hide on the table, positions a steel die (similar to a cookie cutter) on top, and swings the arm over the die. By pressing two safety-separated buttons—one with each hand—the hydraulic-powered arm applies 10, 20, or even 100 tons of force, cutting cleanly through the leather. The process is repeated until the maximum amount of material is utilized.

Growing with Your Business

As your leatherworking business expands, so will your need for specialized equipment. A well-equipped workshop can efficiently produce both custom, made-to-order leather goods and high-volume production items, ensuring quality craftsmanship while maximizing efficiency and profitability.