Leather Craft

This new hobby started when I began buying handmade leather sheaths for my knives. Turned into an appreciation for (real) leather belts, boots, a wallet, etc. Then I bought a very inexpensive starter toolkit and a box of mixed mystery leather scraps online. I made a very basic sheath for my camp hatchet, and then I wet formed a case for a spare zippo lighter.

Next I want to make an ammo holder for the stock of my rifle. I already bought supplies. definitely need to get more consistent with saddle stitching and back stitching because sometimes I get lost and start just winging it.

Who else works with leather? Hobby level or as a trade? Any tips for hand stitching? Go ahead and laugh at my stitch lines on the hatchet sheath. I was sipping on a whiskey neat.

 

I got into leather working because I was tired of cheap belts and losing weight was harder than making a better belt myself.

Then I made a minimalist wallet pattern from a modified tandy kit that was in their returns bin on discount. Then I wanted a knife and light holster and a pocket organizer for all the loose shit in my pocket. I drew a pattern and made them. Explored a bit with dying and shaving cream to get effects beyond a brush or dauber.


Most recently I wanted a leather pocket organizer to match the pattern of the contents so I ordered a new stamp; dyed stamped and stitched this one to match a knife hank light and pry bar.

 

I work with leather as well and I'm starting a business. I've invested a lot into my tools and will give the advice I was given: If you want a million dollars making leather goods, start with 2 million.

Some tools are worth it, some not. Very few of the tools I've bought from Amazon are worth it. I have a mallet from Odwin that was like $40 - worth it all day. I have some Wuta stitching irons - the type with removable tines - they are pointed or punch 1mm holes. Inexpensive set at like $30 for 3 irons - 3, 4 & 5mm spacing - worth it all day. The holes are round so the stitching is "flat" looking.
The Crimson Hides French irons are spendy but holy crap nice. I love them.
The BG/Corter set of French style irons are worth it but need a bit of polishing to be as nice as the Crimson Hides - I'd recommend these all day. Great bang for the buck.
Skip diamond chisels and get a set of BG/Corter in 3.38 or 4mm French style

Seek out the yoo toob series by Armitage Leather - he's got a 4 part series on saddle stitching alone. Free to watch and your game will improve tremendously if you pay attention and apply his techniques.

 

A coupe other items - passport cover, wallet & coin/card pouch

 

Don't see any other threads on the subject so thought I'd post here -

Where are you guys sourcing your leather?

Looking to *possibly* make my own stool cushion and a friend advised me to go on the softer side for a seat (2-3oz range). Too thick and it'll be uncomfortable and won't stretch as easily for pulling over a cushion.

Reading about what's best to use it seems like I should use top-grain, semi-aniline, or full-grain.

I only see "full-grain" listed on some sites and going through a few of them assumes the customer has a wide knowledge of these things, which I don't.

Assuming a 14" diameter stool, and anywhere from 2-3 inches of height, I'd need 1-2 sq feet?

Goal - making my own garage stool, and need something really comfortable, using real leather.

Edit: Just ordered some 16sq ft of top-grain in black

 

I’m too new in this hobby to try and provide measuring assistance but as far as where to source leather, Tandy leather has a large selection of all things leather. They probably have a location near you. Dyes, hardware, thread, etc.

I suggest spending some time in one of their stores. They hooked me up with a piece of scrap belly for $20 and some other goodies. Helpful folks.

My most recent little project. A wet formed mag pouch for my .22 rifle. The fit is surprisingly good considering I’m a newb. I clamped the wet leather around the mag (wrapped in plastic wrap) for 24 hours. Then proceeded to cut it down to size and dye, punch holes, stitch, etc.

 

Long time no see!

So, I don't actually plan to spend any time doing leather working at all. At least not after this project as it'll be a one-time thing.

I kept getting ads for that Vyper chair in my feeds, so one day I just said "fuck these guys and their $600+ chair"

Drew up a template that night, cut parts out, and did a quick mock-up for the chair build. That and I got an acme lead screw and hardware from McMaster Carr which arrived within a day.



The backrest I sourced from a sissybar on a 2013 Harley Softail.

Ordered 16sq ft of black top grain from Leather Hide online, along with a pre-cut cylinder of qualux foam.

Plan is to make my own chair, but really make it my own as I'll even put the cushion together and weld up the frame and all.

 

I’m looking forward to seeing how this turns out

 

Clicked this leather link because I recently had been searching for a high quality hand made leather wallet and appreciate the craftsmanship involved. I ended up searching through a Reddit group named "Buy It For Life" and found a few highly recommended Etsy sellers. This is a one man shop in Poland, of all places and ordered a handmade bifold wallet. Shipping took a month and I was kind of nervous about maybe being scammed, but it ended up great.

Good luck with the leather work, it all looks beautiful.
Black and wine

 

Funny you say that.

The only two Etsy sellers I found to make bar stool tops were both out of the UK.

The $86 price tag wasn't bad at all, but the $46 in shipping plus the month wait had me back and forth about which way I wanted to go.

Vinyl was not an option for me because I wanted something that is durable as hell.

 

I posted this already in one of the firearm threads, but this was made in Prague last month. Very good craftsmanship and fit. WildWildDill is the website. The owner and his wife run it. They’re expanding what they offer. You pick the colors.

I really doubt I could’ve made anything this nice and precise out of leather with my current skills.

 

That smell really hits you when you open up the box



2.6oz premium top grain and it feels really nice and soft

 

@deanosaurus - here’s a thread right up your alley

 

Springfield Leather is my #1 supplier.

"Full grain" means the whole cross section of the skin, and may vary in thickness across the piece depending on where it came from on the whole hide. Splits have been split down to some specific thickness and will be of uniform thickness throughout. "Top grain" means they've removed some of the suede, suede means they've removed the top. There is a "smooth side" and a "flesh side" - suede has had the smooth side split off.

Weight depends on application and also the leather. Upholstery is often done with thinner stuff than you might think, 2-3 ounce is great but also consider the "hand" or softness/liability of the leather. A 2-3oz veg tan side is going to be quite stiff for a cushion, for example.

 

Shoot...I hope I made the right choice above then

 

There's always a way to make it work, usually with shitty, hands-on labor (which at least, in a way, is free). That stuff should be fine. Circles can be a little tricky to stretch smooth all the way around, just remember it's OK if the bottom looks bad - that's where you're going to put all the wrinkles and waves that the top wants to make as you stretch it over the circle.

Post up if you have questions.

I'm going to guess that is a chrome tan, but do you know for sure?

Whatever it is, if you hit a really hairy spot trying to get it to lay down, you can always wet it (not soak it) in places to get more stretch. Use a wet sponge to dab the surface and let the water soak in, this can take a few minutes depending on the leather, the humidity, how wet is wet, etc. You don't necessarily need to wet the whole thing either - maybe just certain areas could use a BIT more stretch.

 

Some progress shots I've been taking for a commission customer - a big batch of wallets. These are 6 in the same style, with two of another and one of another another.

 

Finished up a piece today. It's always nice seeing the color wake up under the oil.

 

Finished up a commission here, big batch. Very happy with the color on the turquoise.



And a little prototype (I am not so good at the baseball stitch, I need to either practice more or go with a welted side):

 

How did you achive the turquoise? I've got a request for a "dark blue" but the color out of the bottle is closer to black...