Show us your leather

[lucaas]

another nice belt from Scott...

how much belts you already own, Mike?

[LckyChrmsBBoy]

lucass, I like the redesign and I'm also not a huge fan of keeping coins in my wallet. I would rather have them in my right pocket. On my Acadia I use the coin pouch for extra cards and receipts. Still trying to master putting money back into my wallet since I'm not use to mid size wallets, it can be a little tough sometimes. But I love my wallet and can't wait to see it evolve!!

[mikecch]

another nice belt from Scott...

how much belts you already own, Mike?

I have around 15 belts that fit in with the hobby...also have a bunch of dressy belts but I never wear them any more.

You're doing a pretty good job too

Been meaning to update - at 4 months (maybe 2.5 months effective):

More on my blog in a couple of days.

Edited January 20, 2012 by mikecch

[Strangebrew]

Schott

[ItsJustNC]

I have around 15 belts that fit in with the hobby...also have a bunch of dressy belts but I never wear them any more.

How the hell do you keep your gears without getting them moldy dude.? Made yourself a dry box or something.?

[mikecch]

Haha, by living in Australia!

[lucaas]

How the hell do you keep your gears without getting them moldy dude.? Made yourself a dry box or something.?

LOL, good point here!

mikecch

thanks mike, will look forward to your blog

[raWorkshop]

Just finished a brown bifold.

[Friday]

raworkshop, the brown looks great.

Cross post from pyc - latigo leather card holder / slim wallet with a slot for easy access to frequently used cards. I'm eager to see how this ages.

[darbir]

Voyej Anchor Americana

3 months

[ItsJustNC]

Haha, by living in Australia!

HAHA. Good point. My bro has to oil his boots like crazy over there.

Just finished a brown bifold.

Woah dude.! Did you dye that.?

[raWorkshop]

HAHA. Good point. My bro has to oil his boots like crazy over there.

Woah dude.! Did you dye that.?

Yep, it's Ecoflow, buffed, sealed and buffed again.

[ItsJustNC]

Ah... Looks nice and even.! Haven't tried my hands on water based dyes though. I've read that its not as penetrative as the alcohol based ones.

What do you think about it.? Because i've read more nasty reviews than good ones about it...

[mikecch]

Just arrived, the final prototype of the "Military belt" project with Equus Leather before the project belts get made.

The hand-stitch has been upgraded, some spacing aspects adjusted, and the pin is the finalised version:

Still taking orders for a short while before the leather from Baker's is delivered (PM me for details)

For the rant, see here.

Edited January 22, 2012 by mikecch

[Cold Summer]

Oh my goodness. Now I'm really, really excited.

How's the stiffness on that thing? My Obbi Good belt is about that thick but it's gotten nice and soft over the months to the point that it's quite flexible and comfy. My only concern with the Equus belt is that it's going to be really stiff, but either way I'll survive.

Now, if only I could get a mid or long wallet made out of the Baker's oak bark leather.

Edited January 23, 2012 by Cold Summer

[mikecch]

It's a little stiff in the first couple of days, but not overly so considering it's thickness & finish I think.

Should mould quite well if it's anything like the Quercus leather which is also from the same tannery and shares the same tannage.

[oilpit]

Can anyone recommend me something similar to an Iron Heart medium/bifold that doesn't cost as much as England's military budget...

I basically just want something like a Tanner Workman but smaller...

[adrianghaust]

Just bought a OGL veg tan short wallet for myself as post-chinese new year present.

Best post-CNY gift I ever bought!

Pictures taken after one-day usage.

Front:

Back:

Inside:

Edited January 26, 2012 by adrianghaust

[mikecch]

this is the biggest commission I've had done yet, made by Scott (unlucky), a back-pack based on the US mailbag design:

It's veg. tanned buffalo for body and flap with natural CXL linings, accents and bottom panel.

The straps and handle are veg. tanned horsehide.

Details on my blog, as always

Edited January 27, 2012 by mikecch

[leyori]

Mike, i am drolling seriously mate!

[Cold Summer]

Got an email from Equus saying my belt will ship on Monday. Excitement.

[lucaas]

how much for the Equus project belt?

[mikecch]

^ 65 british pounds ex. vats.

I think you'll find the leather very interesting - unlike saddle/skirting from the Americas the grain growth is very deep and pretty much completely unfinished, the hide itself is top-notch as is the English oak tannage.

Got an email from Equus saying my belt will ship on Monday. Excitement.

Nice!

I'd recommend a feed or two before wearing

Edited January 28, 2012 by mikecch

[Cold Summer]

Does it come with any conditioner stuff? I didn't think to order anything with it.

[mikecch]

^ I don't think it comes with a conditioner, wasn't part of the project, sorry

[arcarsenal]

What kind of prewear care do you recommend mike? Haven't got an email about mine yet but I can't wait.

[mikecch]

For mine I did two thin layers of Sedgwick's leather feed on the grain side (4 days apart) and a layer of unlucky's tallow feed on the back/corium side. This was all within the first few days of light wear.

At a minimum I would give the grain side and the back side each a layer of conditioner, and if possible use a feed with a higher wax content for the back side (as the leather is un-split, and hence the back side is rough.)

I know some people prefer not to oil their leathers, or to oil them after significant wear...but I think for Baker's natural bridle a little bit of oil not only further enhances the grain growth but also reduces the stiffness by quite a bit.

Here's a cross-sectional view of the leather where a peg hole was made during the manufacturing process - it's pretty hard to over-feed this beasty:

Edited January 28, 2012 by mikecch

[arcarsenal]

Super informative as always mike, thanks. Do you know any us stockists of sedgwicks? Im thinking of just asking Charlie to throw it in with the belt since I can't find any locally.

[Cold Summer]

All I have is Flat Head's leather oil/wax and some neatsfoot oil. I'm guessing that's not what I need. I sent an email to Equus, hopefully it's not too late to buy some of their feed and get it included in my order. Any idea if there's something good I could get here in Japan?

[mikecch]

IMO TFH's stuff would work fine as well, though a bit pricey. You can try Seiwa's feeds in Japan for better value.

I like Sedgwick's stuff because it's simple and the proportion of oil:wax suits my preferences...otherwise there are plenty of good feeds in the USA & Japan