Long Time Listener. First Time Caller

[Barlaam1]

Happy New Year everyone.

My name is Ben and I've been really interested in the art of leather work. Here is a little background on me. I am 32 and a full-time firefighter in South Dakota. I was looking purchasing some leather suspenders for my bunker pants. Started looking and talking to some of the guys who already had leather suspenders and thought that doesn't look too hard to make. So I started googling and found out that there is alot more to it than cutting some straps and putting buckles on it. But I got excited. I take a lot of pride in what I do and have seen alot of examples of some amazing work. So the leather bug bit me. I now have many projects in my mind I can't wait to make. (suspenders, radio harness, belt, gun holsters)

So what kind of advice can you give me? Is a set of suspenders a good first project? I was looking at getting the Deluxe Professional Starter Set from Springfield leather http://springfieldle...essional,Delux/

Would this be a good route to go considering the items I'm looking at making?

Thanks in advance.

Ben

[Mijo]

Welcome Ben!

I would suggest picking up some of the Al Stohlman's books on leather crafts, particularly the volumes that have projects that you want to make yourself, and purchasing tools based on what you need for those projects. If your not going to be stamping or tooling your projects, than those tools that are part of the linked starter set are not going to be utilized.

[johnj]

Get in and get your feet wet , may not get them dry again, I just built my first Holster yesterday for my S&W 9VE very happy with it, all with thanks to this site. Not my first work just my first holster.

[King's X]

Welcome to the forum! Happy New Years greetings from Central Texas, USA!

[immiketoo]

Welcome Ben! Anywhere you start is a good place to start. There's a steepish learning curve so read a lot before cutting leather! And don't get discouraged, ever. Again, welcome and post pics of your work.

[Randy Cornelius]

I agree that if you are not going to be carving or tooling leather the starter kit may not be the answer. If you want to make a set of suspenders you can start by ordering a couple belt blanks, hardware, rivits etc to get started. You will need a rivit setter and some cutting tools, maybe an edger etc. Invest wisely as you start and maybe look for some good used tools on ebay or elsewhere. If you call Springfield Leather and tell them what you are wanting they will cut you just about any size piece of leather for a project also will be very helpful with a tool list or purchase.

Randy

[Barlaam1]

Thank you everyone so much for your replies. I have read so many posts on this forum and I must say it is refreshing to see how everyone here is helpful. So many other forums(not leather related) can get so negative and that is not the case here. Thank you again and it looks like my first step will be book orders.

[immiketoo]

Ben, I have had the same experience with other forums (especially car forums) and we at LW actively work to make this site an environment the fosters learning and a good time. I'm glad you have noticed our efforts!

Mike

[jkwparrott]

Welcome Ben! I did some leatherworking when I was in high school, about 35 years ago and really enjoyed it. But I was interested in other things and leatherworking fell by the wayside. Last year I got a new pistol and could not find a nice holster for it, and decided I could make one. It took me some time to get it right, but I finally did it. I started back in the hobby by getting a package from Tandy that had a belt, wallet, cell phone holster, some coasters, etc. and practiced a lot. I really enjoy working with leather, not just putting things together, but allowing the artistic representation of what I want to make to become reality. Enjoy it!

[lightningad]

Hi Ben, I have been hooked for a year now! I got a couple of the Stohlman books this christmas, and remember seeing a project for making a holster for a two way radio in the 1st Volume of Art of Making Leather Cases... sounds like it could be the kind of thing you might need.

Whilst there is a ton of information out there, its not until you start to actually make something that you start to learn. The Tandy starter kit was enough to spark the interest. It wasn't until i bought a piece of leather and made my first "own design" project that i really started to get the bug...but be warned - its damned addictive!

happy leatherbashing!

adam

Edited January 3, 2013 by lightningad

[Dwight]

Ben, . . . welcome to the AWL forum (that is the Addicting World of Leathercraft,.......lol).

I teach a holster class from time to time at a local leather distributor, . . . it is a lot of fun, . . . get to meet some really neat people.

My first lesson I do with them emphasizes two maint thoughts:

1) if you can make a good pattern, you can make a good product, . . . but if you are sloppy with your pattern, . . . the end product will reflect it

2) Finish the project. Unless you "know" what you want for the finish, . . . play with some scraps, . . . different dyes, finishes, techniques, . . . as each one will have a different final effect. While you are finishing, . . . learn to properly square up the edges, bevel, sand, burnish, . . . etc. Use the proper size snaps, buckles, rings, etc. All of the hard work you did patterning, cutting, sewing, finishing, . . . can really be thrown under the bus by getting almost done, . . . and then just saying "Close enough" and quitting. Finish the project.

I'm a little picky, . . . granted, . . . but if the job is worth doing, . . . it is worth doing right.

May God bless,

Dwight