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.
432 topics in this forum
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I found a Singer 7-34 it dates back to 1924 it will sew over 1" of leather. This machine was rebuilt in 1995 by the Singer Company and was set up with reverse, the gentleman I bought it from used it to make and repair saddles and harnesses in the Upper Peninsula of MI. This machine is in very good condition I was very lucky to fine it. The drive up there from IL was about 6 hours and was worth the ride.
Last reply by simran, -
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Well, I finally built a slide-on table for my old machine and thought I'd put up a couple of pics for your viewing pleasure . She's an old Duerkopp Cl. 18 I brought with me from Germany and got all cleaned up and going again last year. The serial number (4910) and nice acanthus leave paint make me think that she's a real early one. In the third picture you can see some stitching on a scrap piece. Top row is really fine, next is about as coarse as she'll go and the last two are a nice medium length stitch. Enjoy!!
Last reply by Constabulary, -
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I became interested in leatherwork when a demonstrator at an exhibition in Brighton said I would never be any good at it in 1973'ish. I moved to Cornwall to explore surfing then I moved to the Moors where I met a leather worker who made black jacks and was equally dismissive about the possibility of me being a leatherworker. My partner bought me a kit for my birthday and after making and selling a couple of clutch bags I realised that I could slide right into leatherwork as a hobby. Then I replied to an advert for a craft cooperative starting in North Devon and we moved there. I had to learn from day one and I did learn quickly. I even had help from visiting saddlers…
Last reply by humperdingle, -
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Hello All, I have been searching for a good stitching horse to use and ran across this one yesterday at an antique show. It is very sturdy and appears to have been well used in the trade. It has an adjustable seat that can be swung out to the side. The big screws under the seat are made of wood and the big nut holding the seat on is also wood. Everything is in tact except that the leather strap is broken and a few tacks are missing here and there. It looks like the seat was recovered a couple of times as there are what I think are the original tacks as well as some newer brass tacks on the remaining seat cover. The jaws are of the straight variety and have what I t…
Last reply by Tramps Leatherworking, -
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Here are two pictures of the old "Leather Craftsman" magazine. These were the precursor to "The Leather Craftsman and Saddlers Journal" That are now out there. These are both Sept/Oct and Nov/Dec of 1965. I have had these since I was a little kid. I remember that you would get a years subscription if a kit was bought from Tandy. I still wish we had the prices today that was back then. In the back of one of the magazines it said "Prime #1 Heart-O-Hide." That was a from the butt end for $10.25 for the whole hide. Archery arm guard kit was $1.25 and a zippered gun caddy was $ 5.95 a kit. There was patterns and everything just like today. I thought everyone would enjoy s…
Last reply by robbin52, -
Embosser Deal 1 2
by papaw- 1 follower
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Here is a deal I found, we 've all been told [ why don't you come and see some old tools ] I 've got and see what you think well there not all false hits. Here is part of what I found by checking one out, and there was so many other fine tool that had been setting for 43 years untouched. C.S. Osbone Embrosser with wheels, good cond. hope to re finish it this winter. Sometimes it pays to check out what you think is a goose chase.
Last reply by raysouth, -
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I am trying my hand at putting together a 1960s Bona Allen leather mail bag and i would really like to know if anyone has any knowledge on how they were made. The type of leather used back then and how they were stitched? Some of the leather, especially on the spine of the bag which is almost 1/2" thick! It looks machined rather than by hand but i'm guessing. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Last reply by wlg190861, -
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I have two stamps I've come across, had some Leather Masters look at them and they believe them to be F K Russell stamps I have had contact with Bruce Johnson about these already. These are not for sale but would be interested if there are any others out there that have knowledge of these, all info welcomed and does anyone have a ideal of there worth. I have looked on the internet a found very little info. on Russell stamps, I did find a catalog for Russell tool but they was not listed there I know these stamps are over 45 years old as they was in storage for that long at least. I think they would be 60 years with the damage to the end of them. Any help would be apprecia…
Last reply by papaw, -
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Found this pic while surfing depicting two stamps. Anyone able to ID these for me or perhaps provide a source.
Last reply by Fonzarellis, -
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I'm getting ready to start using a round knife for cutting pieces. I've watched a lot of videos on sharpening/care for one, but none of them addressed whether you can use one of those pull through sharpeners. With the coarse and fine sides. They have always worked well for my other knives, but will it work for a Round Knife. Thanks in advance for any replies.
Last reply by camano ridge,
