Blue Collar

Watch strap for a friend 

Horween Essex, veg lined and padded.

Fil au chinois 632 at 8 spi.

Chris

Gents,

So i guess this bag is pretty much complete. Handles are on, zipper installed as well as the lining. I still need to feed it with a bit of conditioner and brig up the luster with a horse hair brush.

I may source some brass "feet" for the bottom of the bag before i begin to use it daily..

And the interior. Went with an ecru canvas lining as I plan to really use this bag. I also didn't want to use a synthetic fiber. Other linings or materials did not seem up to the task.

Thanks for looking.

Chris

Great looking Duffel!

 

Here is an indigo dipped Trucker wallet and a recent seat.

 

 

 

This seat is fantastic!

Update on the duffel project. Beginning to look like a actual bag now. Ends sewn on with piping.

Handles, lining, and zipper next.

Gents, long time no post. Need to get this thread moving again.

Horween Essex duffel in the making.

9tpi, 432 linen thread. Hand sewn.

Sewing on the "ends" of the bag tonight.

A small wallet I made for a friend for Christmas.

6 card slots and a bill section.

Italian veg' in tan. 9tpi, hand stitched.

Sorry about the garbage pics, I was rushed to get it wrapped up.

A few new acquisitions.

 

Horween #4, #8 and Navy. I plan on doing a bigger write up comparing Horween, Shinki Hikaku and Clayton. Unfortunately Comipel is a little too expensive to get shipped to the U.S. so I'll have to leave that out for now. I already have quite a few projects lined up for the #4 and Navy.

 

All of them are incredibly hard to photograph so the #8 and #4 end up looking the same in the pictures.

 

Horween Navy (Top) vs. Clayton Navy (Bottom)

 

Horween #8 (Top) vs. Clayton Burgundy (Bottom)

 

Horween #4 (Left) vs. Shinki Hikaku Bordeaux (Right)

Just stunning. I would give my left nut for a shell, I don't care what color. Even a reject would do.

Haven't posted in about 5 years or so. It looks like this is the new leather creation thread, so here is some recent work (aka stuff I've made in the last year). All saddle-stitched by hand.

 

 

 

OK, so we might as well close this thread after this post. 

Amazing stuff. Truly.

 

...and a shot of some newly acquired Japanese Shell Cordovan

May i ask where you scooped this shell from?

@BlueCollar

Thanks for the kind words! Sad to say it's the same for me. The shell was excess that a friend of mine had and sold to me. Horween told me to check in august and I haven't gotten word back from shinki who I contacted over a month ago. If I come into some I'll tell you where to get some.

Thank you, my friend.

Some recent work, Shell Cordovan backed Mid and long wallet with matching russet tan interiors

 

Looks fantastic. Love the simplicity of it.

Where do source your shell. 

Every avenue i try i never get a responce

This looks great!

Thanks Sean

Mostly made with the wonderful tools you supply.

VB 9 spi irons

VB awl

JJ needles

Fil Au 435 in ecru

Hey. First time posting a pic

Saddle stitched 9spi

any recommendations on leather conditioners?

 

i want to see if i can soften up my leather jacket, and improve the feel and possibly sheen.

 

thanks

Saphir Renovateur or Venetian Shoe Cream have worked well for me. 

Thank you!!

No overstitch wheel.

Yes, 7spi.

Who's pricking iron did you use? The pricks look to be very flat. less like this -> ///////// and more like this -> ---------

Horween Chromexcel Burgundy Outer with a Veg tan inner. 

Ordered the Chromexcel a long while ago but wanted to wait till I got better till I used it.

Keeping this one for myself, very pleased, C&C welcome. 

 

Looks awesome!

Overstitch wheel? 7spi?

I'm a wrench by trade and only buy Snap-on tools (very expensive compared to other brands) for work.  So when i got into leather work i went for the 'best' tools i could find, Vergez Blanchard.

Although i have not used JD tools yet, I cant imagine using anything other than my VB stuff. The fact that they are forged and finished by hand really appeals to me.

my current irons are 9 tpi/spi with plans to exand to 7 and 12 eventully

If some of the finest leather houses are using VB, there must be a reason for it.

Beautiful work Chris.

The saddle stitch if flawless. 7 tpi?

Hello Gents,

This is my first time posting in this forum. I just want to say i'm amazed at the beautiful pieces you've all created!

I was hoping someone could share with me a stockist/agent that sells shell cordovan to the general public. I've tried may avenues to find this information on my own with no replies/luck from anyone i contact. Thanks in advance!

B.C.