Leather History
Do you have pictures of an old shop? Antique tools? Stories of long ago masters? Information gleaned from dusty forgotten books? We are the keepers of a ten thousand year old tradition, and we enjoy learning about what was as much as what is.
437 topics in this forum
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I looked up the old Los Angeles business white pages from the 50's and 60's. This was the address of the old Craftool location. It's an industrial building, so I guess this was where they made the stamps? Then they moved to Texas. If you're interested in a property, it was for sale last I checked. I would be interested to hear from anyone who worked there or knows more about the history of stamp making in California.
Last reply by OdinUK, -
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Hi all, I found this hand-crank machine for sale and I'm trying to identify what it actually does before deciding whether to buy it. Plate marked "United Shoe Machinery de France - Paris", with a model reference that looks like "UP.639" (hard to read exactly, photo attached). Seller dated it to roughly 1915, and suggested it may have been used by a cobbler, glove-maker, or leatherworker — but wasn't certain themselves. What I'm trying to figure out: is this a full-width leather splitter (reducing thickness across a whole skin/piece), or is it built for thinning/paring the edge or width of narrower bands/straps specifically? The mechanism: a blade/disc engages in…
Last reply by Digit, -
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Dated to 1540 to 1570 It will be on loan to Coral Gables Museum in Florida https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1eydpx6020o
Last reply by SUP, -
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I just found out that one of the best saddlers in the country, Bob Klenda, passed away last month. I had hoped to meet him, but sadly that will not be possible now. I know many folks in the leather world have had great experiences meeting with him, learning from him, and working with him, and many more (myself included) have purchased his books and patterns. He was a legend, and by all accounts a really great person. His obituary is posted here.
Last reply by alfredleatherworks, -
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I aquired this machine nearly 4 years ago. I have had problems logging in and locating my initial post. AI came to the rescue today. I am trying to find someone who can either visit or WhatsApp video with me to rewind and fit the spool under the bed/table. I manage well with my Singer 99, even stitching an ultravilot strip along the luff of my large barge foresail. The portability of the 99 means you can lower the sail on deck, on a calm day, and do the job there and then. But if this machine worked I could take on really big remote jobs. John
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Last reply by Northmount, -
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Fascinating bit of history! The gloves were made from the skin of unborn calves. The stitching was extremely fine - 32 stitches to the inch! https://limerickslife.com/limerick-gloves/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPffeJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFpWGNPdkZadGxEMDUxQUJNc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpjhkY4VkujaZbZBxHD_F-wk-QmRrvpSSdjtY6mlOLb_SbQgXo4CkygvN7Me_aem_p9tNbWgEBS2Yl2smZs-1MQ
Last reply by Sheilajeanne, -
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I received a buttload of tools and hardware from a gentleman who taught leatherwork at a local high school in the 70s+ he spent over 35yrs teaching. These wooden tools were in the same drawer as some strap cutters. First thought is clamps but they don’t work intuitively like that so figured someone here might be able to shed some light.
Last reply by chuck123wapati, -
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A friend brought me tool that was found in a bunch of old harness parts. Brass head and handle like a hammer but has slots instead (about 1 1/4" wide and 1/4" or so tall) in either end of the head made like a strap would pass clear through. Ridges on bottom side of slot I figured for gripping and the hammer head is curved I thought for leverage. Anyone have any ideas what this tool might be?
Last reply by Cumberland Highpower, -
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So i have been doing alot of research and reading about leather work and I wanted to find some books but online they are quite expensive. About a week ago a very kind guy locally listed he had leather books and patterns. He so graciously held them while I got my money in order and I picked them up last night. When I say this Rubbermaid bin is a treasure trove I am not kidding. I don't know where he got this stuff but he asked if I only wanted some as alot of it is not that useful. I told him I wanted everything and I'd look through it and decide later what I didn't want to keep. He sold the entire bin to me and I assumed what h…
Last reply by fredk, -
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Here are photos of every page of a 1940-1950's era US Navy Leathercraft Manual. It includes patterns, locations to purchase supplies, and much more. I tried to take the best photos I could, if you want a close up of something let me know and I will try to accommodate.
Last reply by bvdv,
