Can I make tanned leather thinner?

[stuckinthemud]

I have a small amount of leather  from a settee  I would like to make a bit thinner. What's the best approach? Sanding, skiving or hammering, or something else??

[Hawkdancer]

I think sanding would give a bit more control over the process, assuming you are only looking at a 1/16th inch or so.  Also , you want to be sure you are working on a solid surface with the piece secured.  I have had some success scraping as well, but on a thick piece of leather
Hawkdancer

[TrevorM]

There's a special tool called a leather splitter. They're quite a bit though so you might want to check with anyone you know that does leather work and see if you can just borrow one.

[Pat B]

Generally furniture leather is fairly thin. How thick is it and how thin do you want to make it? How big are the pieces?

[stuckinthemud]

The piece is 4X3 inches, it is 1mm (about 1/25") thick.  I'd like to take it down to 0.5mm (1/32).

[Pat B]

Maybe tack it out and sand it thinner. A belt sander would do it but be careful to keep everything even and don't over do it.