Leather Tools

Good day All,

I purchased an Abbey England clam and have almost finished dressing it up. I used it last night to get some practice in but found it extremely stiff and this with the two tensioning bolts wound out to the point where they are almost falling off.

I was thinking that perhaps the wood selected doesn't have much flex and adding a spacer at the bottom to release some tension.

I've got quite large hands and even using my fist to twist it open is proving difficult. Should it be that stiff? Is there a wedge that someone has come up with to twist below the opening to release the clam?

Many thanks,

P