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gesa

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Posts posted by gesa


  1. Hello,

    last week I restored/repaired an antique riding crop. It was the first time hat I was asked for, so I took a lot of pictures to remember how it was made.

    First the damaged parts

    The flap and the button with the braided loop

    post-130-0-80909100-1366536890_thumb.jpg

    post-130-0-58358200-1366536944_thumb.jpg

    The braided loop was a "mystery braid"

    post-130-0-13532200-1366537057_thumb.jpg

    I replaced the loop with a 4 strand braid, because my lace was slightly smaller

    post-130-0-78877900-1366537207_thumb.jpg

    The finished crop. The white stuff at the button is a bit of glue to secure the lace.

    post-130-0-12125300-1366537324_thumb.jpg

    post-130-0-45103000-1366537550_thumb.jpg

    post-130-0-75582300-1366537730_thumb.jpg

    Gesa


  2. Hi Dutch,

    I also buy leather at Kobel Tannery, if you are ever in Hamburg or north of it. Give them a call and you can pick your leather from their storage. They also show you around if you like. If you don't mind a few blemishes, ask for their " Untersortiment Blankleder Hälse" , sort of half shoulder piece. They are their cheapest leather and great for small projects.

    Suppliers: I never bought at these shops, yet

    expensive, but hight quality

    http://www.mehr-als-werkzeug.de/category/Leder--und-Papierwerkzeuge-3871_3822.htm;jsessionid=2003582E39BC85942CA489A2F3FE3633

    http://www.sattlerbedarf-shop.de

    http://www.rickert-werkzeug.de/de/Leder-Lederwerkzeuge

    I buy here sometimes, because it is close to me. I prefer to look at the items I would like to buy

    http://www.kappey.de/

    Gesa


  3. Hello Ray,

    how do you sharpen your other tools? Do you use a machine or do you use a stone?

    If you use a stone, I have no advise because I am spoiled at work with this maschine:

    post-130-001432500 1311148393_thumb.jpg

    I can sharpen every type of knife and scissors with it.

    For scissors besides the edge there is always important that the blade is polished, because any kind of residue like glue , dye or rust will prevent that the blade can cut. Be very careful that the blade remain strait, do not polish the blade edge from that side!

    This one need polishing:

    post-130-014033800 1311148844_thumb.jpg

    To sharpen the blade is not more difficult than a knife, the only difference I make is that I don't polish it. I only use the sanding belt. This is because I usually sharpen leather scissors, if they are polished the leather slips sometimes.

    Gesa


  4. I may be caused how you hold the strip when you skive. I was tought to hold my hand low at the edge of the table. It will help to have firm and stable grip and the hand that hold the knife ( skiver or like I use a roundknive) will not interfere with the left hand.

    I took two pictures without knife to show you the difference.

    low at the edge

    post-130-041965500 1301816475_thumb.jpg

    on the cutting surface

    post-130-019912200 1301816506_thumb.jpg

    Gesa


  5. Oh I know....I used an edge guide. :blush:

    I started at the non-carved part and had too much distance to the edge, so the stitches hit the carving. There was also another problem: at one part the thread got caught and now there are a part with smaller stitches. :(

    I know I can do better and I would have redone the full belt, if I had charged more than the leather and buckle blank. I have major problems pricing my works if friends/colleagues ask me.


  6. Hello Ray,

    I can only tell you about the IfolG show 2006 in Butler, PA. I think it was not a large show, but as here in Europe are none (exept there was the Leather 2000 in the Netherlands) it was great to talk about leather a whole weekend.

    It was an impressing experience and I have seen so many inspiring works. I entered some items at the competition and attended a workshop. But most important I met a lot of nice people like Johanna. :wave:

    If everything going well this year ( horse healthy, car running) I am probably attending this years IfolG show in Albuquerque again.

    Gesa


  7. I ordered several years ago some buckles and liked the quality very much. I remeber that I had a very good communication with them, because they had to send it to Germany. I can not tell you anything about their tools, but I would buy there again. Ask them any question you might want to know about the items you want to purchase.

    Gesa


  8. Hi Art,

    The belt grinder turns away from me, its a special model sold by a local saddlemaker supply shop. About the heat, there is always a bowl of water to cool the blade. I use the water every few seconds.

    Unfortunatly I had difficulties to translate "unsupported belt" and "platen support" :dunno:

    To sharpen a new knife it is not easy . Especially to learn it without someone to show and assist, no matter what kind of sharpening system is used maybe frustrating.

    Gesa


  9. Another note about undervaluing an item.

    If the custom officers think the item is worth much more than it is written in the papers ( a custom seat for 60$ :blink: ) they will determine the value and your customer will be accused to avoid customs and will be charged with high tax fines, at least here in Germany.

    I already ordered a lot of goods from the USA and insist on declaring the real value of the items, and to send it with insurance. For me the items always worth the money I paid.

    So far not a single package got lost the last 8 years and I was always happy to get my goods without any trouble.

    Gesa

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