Skiving Machine vs Skiving knife

I can see some mixed opinions here. I am starting to get into belts and bags. It requires me to split 3mm to 1.0mm or 1.5mm to build the gussets, get the leather for molded handles, raised belts, etc. It seems super hard to get a consistent skive along 30cm x 3cm leather rectangle to achieve a flat skived panel. Is it worth to put in the hours or getting this 200$ splitting machine is the thing I am going to end up either way?

Isn’t skiving in odd spots a nuisance? For example I have a round bag I want to construct and what to skive right in the middle of the leather to make a zipper opening so I can fold the sides instead of edge paint.

I mainly struggle skiving tricky areas, not so much edges...

There are videos on YouTube that show you how to sharpen them. Some times it only take a few secs to do it...

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful opinions. It seems the best bet is to get a decent skiving knife for less than the cost of one of these machines that are not that useful. Then if need be, one can bring the knife to first get it sharpened by a professional knife sharpener and then just keep it sharp. So helpful. So helpful.

I own a skiver like the one in your first link and I wouldn't recommend it. I't doesn't work very well on soft leathers and hard leathers. Its very easy to pull trough the leather. Also, you will be using razor blades as if your shaving a grizzly bear on a daily basis.

I find it easier to use a paring knife. I think you better save your money and buy a bell skiver.

@jeffjones Personally I would get really good with the knife before moving onto the machinery, manual or otherwise.

It is harder but you are always going to need the hand skills for areas that are difficult to skive.

The second link shows a manual splitter which is great for splitting (who knew!) belts and straps, but you won't be skiving edges with it.

You'll also need to have a sharpening system capable of sharpening a large 6'' blade to a hair popping edge.

Hi Jeff, I found I use my simple, inexpensive Japanese skiving knives more then anything. I bought mine from Lisa Sorrell. $35 for 3/4 inch. I just strop it before I use it and it works great. You can find similar knives from many providers.

I looked at the skiving systems in your post and couldn’t find a review that talked about them working with any consistency.

https://sorrellnotionsandfindings.com/product/skiving-knives/

I own one of the second one, and let me tell you, if it isn't 999999% sharp, you are in big trouble. I find that it is most suited for straps, more than wide pieces of leather.

I made the switch to skiving knife last week and it is going great. I am also a hobbyist so i cannot really justify getting a bell skiver for now. But i found out that a good skiving knife is a really good solution for thinnning stuff.