Leather Paring Basics: the Scharfix and Paring Knife and Spokeshave

Scharfix:

The versatile Scharfix paring machine can be used to do overall thinning on a larger piece of leather to cover an entire book or spine; pare smaller pieces very thin for use as inlays, onlays, or labels; or pare at a bevel for turn-ins.

This workshop will provide a complete orientation to the machine, adjustments, and useful hardware store accessories. The demonstration will emphasize both general use and how to use the machine to pare turn-ins for a full leather bidning.

Students will not be making a specific book or project in this course, rather they are encouraged to practice paring along with the instructor during the demonstration. The workshop will provide a complete explanation of this useful tool and more confidence in using it. 

Students should be familiar with the process of preparing a text block for tradtional leather binding. Ages 18 and up.

Supplies - If students will not be paring along with Karen, they don't need any supplies:

• Scharfix
• A supply of double-sided razors
• Vegetable tanned goat skin prepared for bookbinding - 
  • Talas
  • Siegel Leather
  • Pergamena
  • Hollanders

Paring Knife and Spokeshave:

A fine binding is covered in leather that has been precision-pared for protection, flexibility, and sumptuous presentation. The paring knife and spokeshave are essential tools in the this process. This workshop will provide demos on how to use these tools and keep them sharp.

The majority of the demo will focus on the English paring knife, the French and Swiss will be touched on briefly. Modifying a spokeshave for safer, more efficient use on leather will not be covered, but links to resources will provided. 

Students will not be making a specific book or project in this course, rather they are encouraged to practice paring along with the instructor during the demonstration. The workshop will provide a complete explanation of two of these essential tools and more confidence in using them. Students should be familiar with the process of preparing a text block for traditional leather binding. Ages 18 and up.

Supplies:

Goatskin Sources - 

• Talas

• Siegel Leather

• Pergamena

• Hollanders

Knife and Sharpening Sources - Please note a "skife" or "skiving" knife is not used for fine leather work and will not be discussed. Nor will the German paring knife pictured on Tala's website. The less expensive English paring knife carried by Hollanders and Talas does not come sharp and cannot be sharpened within the time frame of this workshop. 

• Peachey Tools
• Hollanders
• Talas
• Sanity Designs