tool for gouging out a shallow, round trench in leather, into which stitches can be sewn standing less proud of the surface
Stitching groovers typically include guides for gouging a set distance from the edge of a piece. The cutting blade may be ground into a bar of steel bent at 90 degrees that his held out from the center axis of the handle, or the cutter may be in line with the handle with a separate guide bar attached.
Compare v-gouge.