AEriic

Thanks Pounder! Only been here about 30 minutes and have already learned new stuff and pick up some new tips/tricks just from reading the older posts! Yup you're right this is a damn fine site!

Thank you!!! My 'search-fu' is very poor I'm VERY interested in hearing more about casing boxes where did you learn of these? So am I to understand it's a bit like a humidor... basically a place to keep leather so that it remains damp in preparation for tooling? Fully casing is my preferred method.

Okay! My first 'big' post: I would like to discuss Leather Casing: What methods do you use? Why? How well does your method work? Have you tried other methods? A little background... I'm a researcher I love research and reproduction of ancient leather pieces... recently I've come across some interesting things involving 'casing' leather. The prime method I've found is this: You dampen the leather with a wet sponge, not soaking, it but good and damp. You then allow the leather to return to its original color and then begin tooling/cutting, and periodicity re-wet the leather while tooling. Another method involves wetting the leather with a wet sponge first of the flesh side, then the grain side, again you allow the leather to return to it's original color and begin tooling with the periodic re-wetting the leather while tooling. Yet another method involves storing the whetted leather plastic bags for several hours before working (sometime with refrigeration) And I've stumbles across something called a 'Caseing Box' while having discussion whit some 'old-timer' saddle makers... I'm still not quite sure what a casing box is.... From my understanding the whole idea of casing is to, for lack of a better term, re-hydrate the inner fibers of the leather allowing them to accept a tighter and cleaner impression. So I'm asking what are your experiences, your methods and why? Thanks everyone!

Good day everyone! I am new member here, but have been working in leather-craft for about 4 years now. I belong to the SCA (The Society for Creative Anachronism) A medieval historic group, one of my biggest interests is in historic recreation of leather finds from the medieval (and earlier) eras. My wife and I run our own small home business where I sell my leather-work and she sells her reproduction lamp-work glass beads: Caravan Creations I'm very excited to have a new forum to learn and hear everyone's tips and tricks! Se ya'all around!!!