OGL

Yes, Reassembly went off the rails early. But I know more today than yesterday. The pocket pieces are very thin which made finishing them a challenge. I opened up a kit I had been gifted some time ago. Already making improvements there. Thanks to everyone! This forum and the feedback in this thread have been very helpful!

I'm calling this experiment complete. Ignore the fact I didn't stitch it. Down the road when I get better tools I might revisit punching new holes. But I mangled this poor thing enough I think. I'm most pleased with the finish. I glued the pieces together. Slicked and sanded to 400 grit. Final slick with tokonole. Remember, this is my first time touching leather with the intent to fashion something out of it.

A few thoughts from my first time applying tools or finish to leather... Workspace is important! Everything must be clean! And I understand why I've seen people wearing gloves working with leather. My pieces look thoroughly manhandled, which of course they. I felt like a fingernail scratched some surface every time I moved. I already know what I'd do different. I beveled the edge. Smooth, even passes are critical. I presume I'll get a feel for the right angles and pressure. I sanded with 240. I tried to go "one way" but again, I'll figure out the grain. More like wood? Or steak? 😉 I did one pass with tokonole. Clearly I used to much. But I see what one application did and how to make it better. Even for a first time, I think it looks better than it was. This weekend I teach myself saddlestitch!

You guys have inspired me. I started deconstruction. Clearly not glued anywhere. Gluing is common, no? Clearly had to start a new thread midway through the pockets. And the inner pockets have some weird single knot holding them in place.

That's disappointing especially considering where it came from. I realize I said "skive" in my original post. I meant bevel. I bought some basic tools. I'm going to try to give it an upgrade. Edit: I double checked what I received against your comments then went back to the source and what they sell online is consistent with the product I got. So yeah...my amateur eye was not wrong in feeling a bit duped. SOOOO glad I did not pay full price. I'll chalk it up to price of education which is pretty much what I was after anyway.

Full disclosure: I have not sewn a stitch or cut a single piece of leather. But I'm definitely curious and looking to find a way in to the craft. I recently bought this wallet from a well known crafter. I hid the mark, I don't want to malign or criticize or disparage anyone in any way. But I was a little disappointed. I did not pay the full ~$100 retail price which is common. If I had I would have been very disappointed. To be fair, I bought it as a grab bag/mystery sale item. I don't see any obvious flaws, so I don't know why it got sent from the retail shelf to the grab bag bin. But since it does have the maker's mark on it I take it to mean it was approved to be sent out into the world. Questions: 1) Is the level of finish typical of a $100 product? 2) Or should I assume, since it was a grab bag item, that there is some flaw I am not trained to see? 3) I was thinking of using it as a practice piece. Can I skive it? Sand and burnish it to look pro? Thanks!