Need help with a leather paring knife choice

I was working on a full leather binding for a journal and had to pick between a French-style paring knife and a Japanese skiving knife. I went with the French one because it was cheaper, about $45. It worked okay for the spine but tore up the leather when I tried to thin the edges. My teacher in the class said, 'That tool is for a different job.' Anyone have a good fix for torn leather on a cover, or should I just start over?

3 comments

3 Comments

jenny_gonzalez28d ago

Been there, done that, bought the wrong knife. I've patched small tears with a tiny bit of leather glue and careful sanding. For a big mess, starting over is less headache in the long run.

oliver_mason28d ago

Totally agree about knowing when to cut your losses. I've wasted hours trying to fix a bad cut that just got worse. Sometimes the material is too far gone, and a fresh piece saves your sanity. Learning that lesson the hard way is just part of the craft, I guess.

davis.diana2d ago

Been there. That French knife is a wedge, it pushes leather apart. A Japanese knife is a razor, it slices. For the tear, you could try a paste of leather dust and glue, but on a journal cover it might always show. A spine is one thing, but a messed-up cover stares at you every time you open it. Fresh leather is the move.