Schpacko

Unfortunately, the price of the plough gauge went up too high, but in the meantime, i received the one pictured above. Damn, that thing works fine! I've seen this tool before, but i just couldnt imagine that it would work that good, so i didnt buy it. earlier. Thanks for the tipp guys. BTW: how much would you pay for a used plough gauge in good condition? cheers Schpacko

I guess you're talking about this leather: http://i.imgur.com/UOzdZ.jpg Thanks a lot for the replies guys. I'll give the wooden one a try and if the price of the plough on ebay doesnt get too high, i'll probably buy this one too.

Hi guys I use very thick veg tan leather for my belts (14 oz). I simply use a straight edge and a knife to cut the straps. It "kinda works", but it's a real pain. I own this strap cutter but its just impossible to cut leather that thick. I have seen strap cutters on ebay germany, like this one: http://www.ebay.de/itm/Riemenschneider-15cm-Breite-Sattler-Schuster-Leder-Gummi-Messer-Riemen-/150671132377?_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D5%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D3373665544420422217 Do you think this would work? How do you use this tool? Just pulling like the other ones? cheers Schpacko

Hi guys Today, i read a post in a forum about clothes. A guy wrote something about washing leather belts in hot water to achieve a nice, kind of antiqued look: "It's the easiest thing in the world, and with high quality leather, the results are terrific. Turn your tap on to the highest temperature, and soak the belt in it for 5 minutes or so. Take out, wring out the leather, and then pull to get it back to it's original length, flatten out the leather with your hands, and let it dry for a day or two in a cool, dry, place. I did this with a navy belt that was just a bit too dark, and it took out just enough dye, and the color became a little less uniform, and the leather looks fantastic contrasted with the brass buckle. I've actually gotten tons of compliments, and more than one offer to buy it." What do you guys think about that? Would it damage the leather in any way? Any other side effects that could occur? Thanks in advance

One of my costumers asked me about how to care of natural, veg tanned belt. I usually clean my belt with water and saddle soap and when it is still damp, i apply a thin coat of skidmores or obenaufs. After about 24 hours, i buff it, thats it. I do this about every 3 or 4 months. What is your cleaning routine / frequency? What do you recommend to your costumers? I found this artice which i found very interresting, what do you guys think about it? http://www.jarnaginco.com/reenactor%20leather%20care%20article.pdf Cheers Schpacko

Man, thats awesome Unfortunately, i dont have a press.... But maybe i could make some handtool to use them. Thanks for all the replies

Received mine some days ago, i like 'em a lot! Kudos to Spinner for a very nice and affordable product. Cheers Schpacko

Hi Guys I am looking for a couple of sets of alphabet stamps, but it seems that every single store in the internet only has the Tandy ones. Do you know a supplier that sells different alphabet stamps? I'm looking for some "nice" ones, not just the plain, Arial-like letters. I would be especially delighted about a set of lower case letter stamps... Thanks a lot in advance Cheers Schpacko

Dude, these things look beautiful. You could sell them just as decoration I guess you will receive an order within the near future... again: thanks for the replies, i love this forum

Thanks for the replies, guys. I'm talking about a single Layer of 4oz leather for example. To me, its just too soft and instable, The leather bends and the saddle soap or the gum trag gets everywhere it shouldnt. Still the same procedure in this case? cheers schpacko

If you guys use fairly thin leather, like 4oz or 5oz, do you burnish the edges or do you cut them and just leave them that way? I dont like that unfinished look and would like to slick or burnish them, but i havent found a good method yet. any tipps?

Today i went to a drugstore and asked for paraffin, expecting to get some kind of block or bar, but the lady told me that they only have liquid paraffin. I bought a small bottle to try it. Is this the same stuff you guys are talking about? Wouldnt liquid paraffin be much easier to apply? Cheers

Sounds brutal, i like it Thanks for the tipp, i'll give it a try.

Hi guys Can anyone tell me how to achieve this kind of "distessed" look? Thanks a lot in advance cheers Reto

Hi guys First of all: Have been lurking for a while, Great forum, lots of good advice and so many good folks. Thanks to all of you, i learned a lot. So, here we go: I'm pretty new to leathercrafting and i want to specialize in making belts. Since i'm from switzerland, i want to use a swiss leather. So i found this leather called "cowbell leather". According to the tanner, it has been stuffed with fats in hot air, and the fat is then being "burnt in", whatever that means. Its also rolled or compacted or something like that Its pretty thick (about 5mm) and really, really hard and stiff (See last picture i attached). It gets much softer with use and i actually like the belts made out of this leather. http://imgur.com/JAO8i http://imgur.com/CFcZI http://imgur.com/GxoD0 http://imgur.com/qeP2W The problem is: SKIVING. It's incredibliy hard to skive, its almost like wood. Is there anything i can do to increase the workability? The only real skiving tool i have is the super skiver from Tandy. Do i have to take a completely different approach? A planer? thanks in advance