Skiving

Skiving is a term with several related meanings. In materials processing, it refers to shaving or paring away a thin layer from the edge or surface of a material. In everyday language, skiving also means avoiding work or duties, especially by staying away from school or the workplace.

In leatherwork and bookbinding, skiving is a deliberate thinning of leather at edges or folds. A skiving knife or beveler is used to shave the surface so that two pieces can lie flush when joined or folded, reducing bulk and preventing cracking. Skiving improves stitching by minimizing raised edges and providing a smooth seam.

In metalworking, skiving is a machining operation that removes a narrow layer from a workpiece to form a very thin sheet or to produce a bevel. It can be used in the production of metal foils, laminates, or in preparing surfaces for bonding or assembly.

In slang, particularly in British English, to skive means to avoid work or school, and a person who does so is a skiver. The term is common in informal speech and may appear in literature, media, and workplace humor.