Oakley

Hello, can somebody tell me if this old handbag is made out of genuine Alligator or embossed fake one? I was told it's crocodile but i think it can't be. Especially the second picture the bottom irritates me. I hope someone can help. Regards, Oakley

I will make no second one in the same leather. It's too soft and buckles too much, but i want to make a pair in the same design. At the moment I try to find good leather for a reasonable price and probably another pair of lasts which are a little bit larger. If i get no new pair i have to increase the size with a layer of cork.

The back part where the heel is is nailed with wooden nails. The front part is handsewn through the upper, lining, (in a part the stiffeners) and the insole.

Thank you for your kind words. Unfortunately i don't have much photos, but here you can see a few steps. Drawing the pattern on the last: The finished upper and lining on the last: Already lasted and including the rand: The footbed If you wanna see a step by step tutorial go to Youtube and search for Andrew Wrigley Shoemaking. I did exactly the same steps. In my opinion it's the best tutorial out there i found. Regards, Oakley

Hello, finally i finshed my first handmade shoe. The upper and the lining is sewn with an old Adler 30-1 all other work is done by hand. It's my first closed shoe. I did one pair of flip flops before but never tried a shoe like this. It's made out of 16 Parts and was for sure the most time-consuming leather project i ever made. The instructions came all from Youtube videos and websites. Unfortunately the shoe is very soft. That's why i will try another one in a thicker leather. I thought that stiffeners made out of 2,5mm leather are enough but now i know they are not. But for the first try and the second time sewing with a machine i'm satisfied. Critiques and ideas about what i can make better are welcome. Regards, Oakley

Hello, i bought an old Frobana outsole stitcher. Unfortunately I've got no manual for the machine. Is somebody out there who can help me and email me a copy? I think it is similiar to the Gritzner outsole stitcher. Thank you in advance. Regards, Oakley

Hello, I bought a few old shoemaker machines. One of them is an old Rafflenbeul machine. Can somebody help me and give me advice which was the function of that machine. Is it still used in modern shoemaking shops? Thank you in advance. Regards, Oakley

Hello, i never tried to burn Latigo but i don't think that you get a nice look. Which gives Latigo a quite nice rustic touch is when you carve the uppest darker surface. Here you can see it on a book mark I made a few years ago. The only problem is probably that it gets dirty a little faster. It was done with a Dremel tool. Grooving Latigo is no problem at all, here I used a common groover. Another option to Latigo would be if you get a high quality Leather which is used for example for alpine boots. They are most often extremly waterproof and can be cleaned really easy with a brush. The only negative fact about these kind of leather is that it isn't easy to get vegetable tanned leather which is complete waterproof. Most stuff I saw was chrome tanned and has something like a laquered surface. I hope that helps you a little bit.

My Flip Flops have a rubber sole beyond the sole leather, too. If you watch the left one on the picture you can see it a little bit.

@Blazin: I don't know exactly what you mean. I think on the photo you can see it quite good. First of all i drille a hole into the sole leather then i covered it with the blue horsehide. Into the horsehide i punched a little bit smaller hole to get a nice edge. On the bottom side i split the kangaroo strap, which is made out of two pieces which are handsewn. These pieces (around 2 inches long) were glued to the sole. I hope that this construction lasts but i think it will be no problem. I hope that's the answer to your question, if not just write and i can send pictures or try to explain it.

Thank you for your advice. I appreciate advice and critique. I'm sure there's much more which could be improved. Thank you for your kind words !

My first pair of shoes ever. The flip flops are made out of blue horsehide, standard sole leather, black boxcalf straps which are padded with kangaroo leather and a stingray leather inlay. The straps are sewn with a Adler 30-1 the rest is handsewn. The extremly hard sole is carved out, where the straps are fixed and where the seem runs to get a flat surface for a better fit of the rubbersole. Positioning and designing the straps took me a few houres till i had the "perfect" fit. Nevertheless i will change it a bit if i try a second pair.

That's one of the most beautiful jackets out there. Is there a chance to get the pattern? I never tried something like that but this design would be worth the effort. I hope you post more stuff soon.

Hi, is goatskin or springbokskin suitable for cushions, or is it loosing too many hair, if you sit on it? Thank you for your answers. Regards, Oakley