Leathercrafting Creations: PYC

[t.wayne]

yep, badass indeed. super gnarly. great work!

[public denimy]

I agree with everyone else. That looks awesome. I can't to see what you make out of it.

[JustinPHL]

Made my first belt today. Still kind of shaky on the draw gauge for some reason. English bridle 10-12oz cut to 1 1/4 set with copper rivets.

[KevinG]

Theblackgoat- that looks amazing. How long did it take you to get the method down?

[GriffingAve]

Hi Blackgoat. Very nice looking leather. Can you put some pictures of the different variations that you were able to achieve? I'd be interested in seeing it. How does the leather feel? Is it a waxy feel? A greasy feel? Does is soften the horse butt considerable?

Andrew

[TheBlackGoat]

Its more about the method and process then the stuffing mixture. Lots of slicking and buffing, stuffing again and repeat. But my mixture is more waxy then greasy.

I want to get a buffing wheel and a bench grinder. Its more of a forearm work out then watching porn!;-)

[hollowsleather]

Ahh, horsebutts and forearm workouts, together at last.

[ItsJustNC]

(Y) Leather related sexual innuendos : Because S&M is not enough.

[simontuntelder]

Ray, you nailed it this time.

KU - FUCKING - DOS!

[KevinG]

I hadn't stitched together a bag in a while, my last one was held together with rivets. I like the look of the postal bags that everyone seems to be doing right now so here is my spin on it. I took the idea of using the conway buckles from pics of a 1969 postal bag made by Buckheimer that I came across. Other than the turning inside out, which was a bit of a challenge, this was probably the most enjoyable bag that I have made. I also tried using the sewing awl thread from Tandy instead of the Tejas cord and i think I'm now a convert! Its really much nicer to sew with the thinner thread, I just wish it came in more colours.

My wife has already started eyeing it up as a diaper bag, so I guess I'll be making a second one soon.

[kyledunn]

Does anyone know where I can find Nato style hardware? I want to make myself some straps and I can find regular strap buckles, but can't source the Nato style rings and buckles anywhere.

Specifically looking for the rounded hardware, like this:

[TheBlackGoat]

^ you find it let me know. I have been buying $25 straps on eBay. And raping the hardware.

I know buckleguy.com has some oval loops in many different sizes and finishes. But can't find the matching buckle.

[JanC]

I just ordered some from Crown & Buckle. Should arrive today, I'll post how they are.

[JAW]

You could get the ones from buckle guy and get some wire and make your own tongues. Just need some rould tip jewelers needle nosed pliers

[corter]

just got the first prototypes in on a key hook I've designed and am having made. Inspiration came from the old twisted wire wall hangers that are everywhere up here

It'll be a double wire key loop. The first sample got the shape perfect, but it's 12 gauge brass so it's still very soft .I have no clue what sort of material I'll end up having them made out of- I might have to take it to a larger place if the guy I'm currently working with can't do it in something stronger.

[JanC]

Does anyone know where I can find Nato style hardware? I want to make myself some straps and I can find regular strap buckles, but can't source the Nato style rings and buckles anywhere.

Specifically looking for the rounded hardware, like this:

^ you find it let me know. I have been buying $25 straps on eBay. And raping the hardware.

I know buckleguy.com has some oval loops in many different sizes and finishes. But can't find the matching buckle.

Here are the ones I ordered..

It was under $10 for 2 sets (6 rings, 2 buckles total). Email Thomas @ [email protected]. Just let him know Jan told you about the Zulu hardware.

Edited March 24, 2012 by JanC

[Friday]

Made this wallet for my wife. She wanted something that was pretty minimalistic and snapped closed.

[hollowsleather]

I had the chance to make this super-fancy shell cordovan long wallet set this week:

[TheBlackGoat]

That's a sexy horse ass cheek.

I dig the dye job on the interior and too.

[JAW]

Hermann Oak and color 8 shell

CXL Horsehide belt

Black CXL and natural pigskin ipad case

[JanC]

does anyone have any photos of how royal meadow leather patinas or tans? Is a caramel color achievable without dying?

[lucaas]

Nicholas

damn, those are sexy! random thoughts, how much are you going to sell it?

[public denimy]

Hey guys, what tools are you guys using right now? I need some recommendations on upgrades. All my tools are from Tandy minus my Blanchard stitching clamp. I've been looking at Vergez Blanchard, Joseph Dixon and Barnsley tools. I found a place in California that sells some Blanchard tools and I found another place in California that sells Barnsley tools. I'm looking for head knifes and pricking irons right now. Also, to anyone who orders directly from Horween, how much is a sq ft for Chromexcel right now plus shipping? I already ordered some samples from John at Horween. Thanks.

[JanC]

[simontuntelder]

Hey guys, what tools are you guys using right now? I need some recommendations on upgrades. All my tools are from Tandy minus my Blanchard stitching clamp. I've been looking at Vergez Blanchard, Joseph Dixon and Barnsley tools. I found a place in California that sells some Blanchard tools and I found another place in California that sells Barnsley tools. I'm looking for head knifes and pricking irons right now. Also, to anyone who orders directly from Horween, how much is a sq ft for Chromexcel right now plus shipping? I already ordered some samples from John at Horween. Thanks.

I just have to say, that George Barnsley, if that's what you are refering to, doesn't exist anymore, and hasn't done so for many years, so you are probably left for eBay buys.

Lastly pricking irons don't do well with a stitching clamp because of the angle of it. I just realized that the hard way... Unless you Blanchard clamp is a stitching horse?

I have tools from Tandy, Kyoshin Elle, Osborne, Seiwa, vintage/antique ones. I saw some Dixon pricking irons, and they are good - and so are all Dixon tools, but they are expensive. There is a good source for Blanchard tools here in Denmark.

[public denimy]

Thanks for the reply Simon

Actually they still produce tools in England and they can be bought through Hale & Co. Luckily for me, they're in San Diego, CA since I live in LA.

Are you sure pricking irons don't work well with my clams? I have the one that's like a giant tweezer. Alfred Dunhill uses the pricking iron, awl and saddle clamp as seen in their video as well as Hermes. Most peoples stitching looks like ------------ and I'm obsessed with the stitching looking like //////// or \\\\\\\\\\. I know diamond holes give off a slant, but it's still close to looking like -----------.

It's so hard to find more info about some of these European tool companies and traditional techniques. I google it up or try to find books, but nothing. Everything is cowboy, western, native american, saddlery related. I'm really interested in the old English, French, European style of leather crafting.

[simontuntelder]

I just did some more research, and it appears, that George Barnsley sort of closed down, liquidated stock (which I have seen available through eBay and a couple of online distributers), but as you say, Barnsley tools are being made again. Edwin Hale of Hale&Co works with a relative of George Barnsley and they are setting up a small time production under the name of "Woodware Repetitions". The tools are often marked Geo Barnsley and there is a book on the company.

I know some other names of European/brit makers and I would like to share my list. There were some Swedish, French and German makers, but I have it written in a notebook somewhere, and I'll have to find it. I also have a book on the subject of leather tools, that might also include more makers.

But Dixon is without a doubt the best English maker when it comes to saddlery tools. Barnsley mostly made tools for the shoemaking trade, but is still of a very good quality.

If you use a clamp like the one, that the craftsman from Hermes is using, then I wouldn't want to use a pricking iron, where you prepunch the holes, like in the Dunhill video - but if you by pricking iron me an iron, where you mark the holes - and not punch through, then it might work.

A clamp that you secure between your legs is made to be used with an awl, as you make the hole with the awl, and follow the needle back through on the backside. However if you have the prepunched holes, it's more comfortable to have the row of holes in front of you, so you can see where the needles goes in on both sides very easily.

Makes sense?

Edited March 26, 2012 by simontuntelder

[public denimy]

Thanks for the info Simon. When I spoke with Edwin, he said that the Barnsley pricking irons are the same pattern as the Dixons, but the Barnsleys are better made and cost more. He also claims that their knives are the best. He says the metallurgy in Barnsley tools are better. I read a little bit on their round knife and there is a bit of info on how their metals are superior in their knives.

As for the stitching clamp, someone said they spoke with a Hermes Sellier and she said that she hammers the pricking iron all the way through the leather and just uses her awl to guide the back needle through the hole. I know that you're supposed to just "prick" the leather and then go all the way through with an awl, but I'm open to all methods. When I get a pricking iron (hopefully this month), I'll post pictures of my stitching. This Korean blogger I found is obsessed with Blanchard tools and he/she uses blanchard irons and clamp and the stitches look great to me: http://blog.naver.com/PostList.nhn?from=postList&blogId=not_exist&currentPage=5

Edited March 26, 2012 by public denimy

[GriffingAve]

I don't know what your budget is but if you're looking from head knives, there are a few American custom makers that make very good knives. Check out:

http://jcookblades.com/leather.htm

http://www.knipknives.com/leather.php

As for awls, I've used the Seiwa ones from Japan and I like those. They are diamond shaped, come in different sizes, and are fairly short which I look. You can find those from goods japan or eBay. From what I hear, Bob Douglas tools makes the best awls around but I have never personally used them. There's no online catalog but you can find their contact through Sheridan Leather Outfitters (their website seems to no longer be around but if you google them I'm sure you can find them).

Also, if you are looking for edgers, check out http://www.ronstools.com. I have their Montana edgers and they're great for thinner leathers.

Andrew

[JAW]

Just made this for the lady. This is the first time I've made a purse that I am happy with. Probably my favorite thing I've ever made. Wonkiness abounds though, don't look too close

Oh yea, brown cxl body, lined the little strap guys with natural veg pig, strap is horse butt

Edited March 26, 2012 by JAW