DaveJohnson

I'm sure you adapt this old sign and scare then off !

Looks like we been buying good old sheep, lamb, goat or even pig everytime we thought we were buying Chamois (Good news for the 100 Chamois left in the wild I guess) Chamois leather From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to: navigation, search Chamois leather (pronounced /ˈʃæmi.lɛðər/), sometimes known as a 'shammy', is a type of porous, non-abrasive leather. In the 19th to the first half of the 20th centuries, it was very commonly used for gloves. It is commonly used as a drying material or polishing cloth on jewels or shoes, for example. It is also used to make leather jackets and small bags or pouches, it has medical uses in orthopedics, and can be used for filtering fuel. It is also used for sports grips for its excellent water absorption properties; field hockey and golf are the two largest users of chamois grips. Contents [hide] 1 Great Britain 2 United States 3 History 4 Properties 5 Uses 6 References // [edit] Great Britain The British Standard BS 6715: 1991[1] is widely considered to offer the correct definition of chamois leather. This defines chamois leather as: Leather made from the skin of the mountain sheep or chamois Leather made from the flesh split of sheepskin or lambskin, or from sheepskin or lambskin from which the grain (the top split) has been removed by frizing, and tanned by processes involving oxidation of marine oils in the skin, using either solely such oils (full oil chamois) or first an aldehyde and then such oils (combination chamois) [edit] United States In the USA the term chamois without any qualification is restricted to the flesh split of the sheep or lambskin tanned solely with oils. (US Federal Standard CS99-1970[2]). The term is often mistakenly used to refer to soft leathers made from the skin of other animals or to synthetic materials with a chamois-like hand-feel, but these are not considered 'genuine chamois'. Chamois leather is often counterfeited with goat or pig skin, the practice of which is a particular profession called by the French chamoiser.[3] [edit] History The term chamois as used to refer to specially prepared leather originated in the 1800s, referring to the prepared skin of the European Antelope—commonly called the "chamois"—and exclusively used by the glovemaking industry of southwest France. It was discovered that when tanned in the local cod oil of nearby Biarritz, the result was a material of unprecedented absorbency. This leather was fashioned into soft white gloves designed for carriage footmen, who were responsible for the care and polishing of carriages. This industry usage later transferred to the chauffeurs of the "horseless carriages" invented in the early 1900s. The popularity of chamois leather greatly increased with the advent of mass-produced automobile windshields, which needed to be washed frequently for visibility purposes, but were inconvenient and time-consuming to dry through alternative means.[4] [edit] Properties Genuine chamois leather has almost no abrasive properties, and can be used as a very absorbent drying material for any auto surface. This has made it a very popular product for car cleaning and drying throughout the world. The stretchy pores of the skin, which are very close, allow it to be used in micro-filtration. Its water absorbency makes it good for other uses, such as in cycling shorts (although most modern cycling shorts now use synthetic "chamois" leather). It was also used in purifying mercury, which is done by passing it through the pores of the skin.[3] When soaked with clean gasoline, chamois will not allow water to pass through its surface fibers. This property is used to filter fuel that has been stored in drums (always prone to ingress of water) or from any other doubtful source. The technique is to provide a large-mouthed funnel with a wide outlet surface that supports a woven wire base, or metal plate with a grid of holes. The lower part of the funnel is tapered to fit the receptacle or tank-filler aperture. A suitably-sized Chamois skin is soaked in clean fuel and placed over the grid in the funnel and brought up the sides, forming a bowl, to prevent any leakage past the skin. Fuel can then be pumped into the top of the funnel by the fuel dispenser and watched for signs of water accumulation. The process can be stopped to lift out the assembly from the tank and the trapped water removed so that the job can be continued. Like this Chamois leather is used as a fuel filter by boaters,[5] auto detailers—and aircraft refuellers, particularly of a past age where aircraft were flown into very remote areas. [edit] Uses Small pieces of chamois leather are commonly used as blending tools by artists drawing with charcoal.[6] The leather blends the charcoal more softly and cleanly than the artist's fingers, which can leave smudges.[7] The charcoal can be washed from the leather using soap and water. Chamois leather is popular today around professional film and video camera viewfinders, as it provides comfort and absorbs sweat from camera operators who spend a long time with their eye planted on the viewfinder.

Hi Tanya Great adaptation of Makintosh's rosesto leatherwork !! Recognised them imediately - the Mackintosh's painted and designed in the village next to ours - Port Vendres - in France for some time before they returned to Glasgow. Margaret Mackintosh painted scenes that remind me a bit of the famous "Sheridan Lady" on this site. Keep it up they are beautiful !! Dave

That is a really great piece of work Crystal - if that is the "practice" piece, I'd love to see the "real" pieces !! Depending on the actual size, I would work it into a panel as an inlay - like a panel in a hope chest or another piece of furniture that would do it justice and keep it around for many years to come. I've been trying out some of Paul Bernett's Victorian Style carving exercises, which are similar, but am still a ways off from this quality -- great inspiration though - thanks for sharing it. Dave

Hi There When looking at Louis Vitton and other "names" in industry, there is no logic or justification - look at this Hermes Braclet for $520 - insane and no justification - no special hardware in 18k gold - no tooling or even machine embossing, no exotic rare leather used, no famous hand craftsman's name attached ....Purely paying for the Hermes rentals in large city shopping centres, advetising in glossy magazines, paying supermodels or famous sportpersons, actors etc to endorse etc.. and hey why not if wearing HERMES blows your hair back and you not selling your kids education to pay for it -- go for it and enjoy it. Coming back to selling custom tooled leatherwork - you have to be happy with what you charge - you have to feel uncheated and you have to feel proud of what you ask for your work. Work on hours taken to complete rate and be fair. If the article is unique or a one off custom made - add a little on for the disruption to a production type run. However having said that, there are many amongst us with MASSIVE talent, but are also in a position of need to feed and clothe a family and in order to make ends meet, charge less than they may like to get the sales. The selling price of anything, is finally determined by what the person you selling to is prepared to pay - if the people you are reaching won't pay what you ask, you have two choices - find the right people (use internet or get to wealther areas etc..) or drop your prices (to do this you may have to use less tooling, less stiching or simpler designs) - it can be disheartening, but that's "business". I most times end up giving my stuff to folk that appreciate it but can't afford it - but then I also have a day job so I'm lucky - and it's a great feeling to see the reaction of people that really know the work and time and skills that go into our projects, when they get it. My secret fantasy however is to one day sell something to a rich and famous person for a ridiculous amount of money because they are desperate to have "the only one in the world" Cheers Dave

Hi There Came across this site - some good inspiration and ideas here. Cheers Dave http://www.classicleatherdesigns.com/homedecor.html

Hi There I think the toolingould be effected by the boiling and shrinkage and tooling after it has hardned would be near impossible. I've seen stuff on deviant art were guys have made the amour of the boiled leather also called "cuir bouilli" and then added decorative overlays and straps with tooling on them - so the hard stuff still protects but there is some decoration over it. Have a look at the bottom of this page http://plantigradecorp.net/chaspirine/index.php?2008/10 to illustrate what I mean and check out www.deviantart.com under the arts and crafts and leatherwork section Cheers Dave

Hi There It all depends how complicated you want to go -- but remember that most really top bespoke shoes are still hand made today - look on You tube for some of the videos on shoemaking. I was at a few of the custom shoemakers in Italy a while back and you can not believe the quality they produce ALL handmade with very rudimentary tools, old wooden lasts and basic sewing equipment - but these guys where born doing it. Have a look at these books too http://www.shoemakingbook.com/ There are a few tutorials here too - Johanna has pasted a e-book on Western Boot Making and there are some Viking Boots in the Historical Reinactment Section. Cheers Dave

Hi Guys I haen't had a chance to try one yet, but found this somewhere and saved it - seems like a good tutorial http://www.mamut.net/gjknives/subdet1.htm Cheers Dave

Sorry about not putting up pics - done in a rush yesterday and and travelling today - when I'm back I'll take some pics and also colour and finish the pieces and then post all. I've also heard of a few other small tanneries in the South and South West of France plus Vic in Spain, which is the centre of the Spanish leather tanning industry, is not far from me - I'll check them all out in the next few weeks and let your friend know too. Yeah it is difficult getting info out of other craftsmen here - they think you gonna steal there business and then there the "etranger" (stranger) factor too. But they soften eventually and most become quite helpful eventually - I've been here two years and people in the village I stay are only starting to accept me now. But hey it's a great place and the safety and security aspect beats the hell out of South Africa were I lived before. Cheers Dave

I'm based in France and am currently looking around for local suppliers - I have not yet tried any local product and have been getting supplies form Tandy in UK. During one of my recent country trips, I came across a tiny tannery and took down the contact details - everyone was on lunch between 12 and 2pm - C'est Ca - it's the way it is. Anyway wrote to the owner and explained what I needed in the way of veg tan leather for tooling. A few weeks later I received an envelope with ten or so 2 inch square pieces of leather in various finishes and colours among which was a product called Natural - 8,5% Fatted. At first I thought that this would not take water and hence be of no use - but it had a good look and feel. Yesterday I pulled out the pieces again and gave the Natural stuff a lick - and found that it absorbed "spit" - so dunked the two pieces I had in water and tooled an oak leaf on one and stamped a basket weave on the other -- hey this stuf works real good - swivel knife slides easy and clean and it takes and keeps the shape when tooled. Once it dries I'll see how it takes Eco-flow dye and finish. Has anyone else ever used a "fatted" leather - is it common in the USA ? I think I'm going to order a side and see how it works on a bigger project, but I'd be interested to know from you guys if you have any experience with it and what the longterm wear and ability to keep shape is. Thanks Dave

Love your work Boma - clean simple and very stylish. If you ever bring out a book on you carving patterns I'll take the first copy. Cheers Dave

Good Day Admin What is the procedure for entry to the adult section? Regards dave Name: Dave Johnson UserName: DaveJohnson IP Address: 90.14.157.21 Email Address: dmjohnson@orange.fr

Great belt and well carved = only crit I would have is the number of holes punched for the end point - I counted 9 - use 4 max - if making for someone specific measure and punch one on the exact measurement and one either side an inch (25mm) apart - excellent work on the design and carving !!

Great Realistic looking Rose Will, but my wife took one look and said .... please make me a bunch !!! So now you've started something ... any chance of a short tuturial on the basic shapes and method of assembly ?? Thanks for sharing Dave

You can try this - its worked for on other stuff - wash with lots and lots of soda water really lots !! Then allow to dry (must be dry before going to the next step) - the smell should be better but may still be there. Cover with a thick layer of Bicarbonate of soda (if the material or leather is wet, the strong alkaline formed by the Bicarb will damage it) allow to stand for a day or two and then dust the bicarb off - hopefully all is well ??!! Dave

Geez the detail is freaky - man some of that stuff is only three times the width of the thread or one stitch wide - that is awesome !!!! The guys here would go wild about the Fleur-de-Lys symbol too !! Keep them flowing Dave