AndersenLeather

Thanks alot. Actually I'm just about to make a duplicate of that briefcase. I made a us mail bag if you havn't already seen it: http://andersenleather.blogspot.dk/2015/05/us-mail-bag.html I get you with the pricking irons. I have it exactly the same way. I would really like to try a VB to see what the fuss is all about.

Why do you need Vergez blanchard pricking irons? Your stitching looks very good so in what way do you think the blanchard pricking irons will change your stitching? This is 632 and 8.5 SPI:

I know that this idea requires tools that most people do not have but maybe you can make something similar in another way. I have tried to reshape an awl using only sandpaper. It can be done but it takes a lot of time and it is very hard to maintain the angle. Therefore I decided to make a device that holds the awl and use it in combination with my sharpening jig http://andersenleather.blogspot.dk/2015/05/round-knife-sharpening-jig.html The device that holds the awl looks like this: I have access to a 3d printer so it is easy to make. I should be possible to make it out of wood also. You then attach a file to the sharpening jig and flip the awl holder so that you can grind on all 4 sides. I will let you know if this works out.

I use a "MOLOTOW™ empty marker 311 EM" for applying dye to the edges. This is by far the best method I tried.

Your welcome Thats very good advice. I will do that the next time I set a rivet. Hi Simon, Thank you and thank you for your advice regarding the leather thickness It's a shame that you no longer work for skindhuset. I liked the service you provided.

Thank you Josh. I used 2mm natural veg tan shoulder which I dyed. Thank you

So you dont have a car a tv a mobilephone or any power tools?

Sure. Will do it tomorrow.

I have never heard of that definition of a head knife. I do not think that is correct. According to al stohlman: "The ROUNO KNIFE has a more rounded blade and usually is much wider between the points. The HEAD KNIFE is not so round and features sharper swept back points which are better for fine cutting." This is in line with what you see on c.s osbornes webpage http://www.csosborne.com/l-knives_1.htm ROUND KNIFE: HEAD KNIFE: Others says that if the blade is more than 180º it is a round knife and if it's les than 180º it is a head knife.

Thank you! Yes it is hand stitched. As this bag is for myself I dont sell it. I havent sold anything this big so I dont know what it should costs.

Velkommen til. Altid dejligt med andre danskere :-)

I have tried to make a 1:1 pattern. Let me know if it works. Us mail bag pattern real size.pdf

The bag is made based on the design of a old U.S mail bag which was meant for heavy duty use. The different design features must therefore be for either strength or ease of use. 1. Having the strap attached to the bag makes it easier to open. If they were in the side the flap would rub against the straps. 2. When the bag is full it is the side straps that takes the load and not the stitching at the top of the gusset. Some of the older bags also have a rivet at the four top corners of the gusset to further strengthen it. 3.When there is something in the bag the bulging will be less. You could make the flap a bit wider no problem. This was actually something i thought about doing myself.

Thanks! The color is actually a bit lighter than what I aimed for but you never know exactly what you end up when you dye. That being said I really the color I ended up with.

Thank you all for your kind words Yeah "oh sh_t" moments is what really helps your learn things the hard way.

I ended up making the pattern myself. Get it here: http://andersenleather.blogspot.dk/2015/05/us-mail-bag.html Link to show off thread: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=63827

I'm pretty happy with the result allthough I made som mistakes along the way. You can see a ton of pictures of the process along with the pattern here: http://andersenleather.blogspot.dk/2015/05/us-mail-bag.html

Thanks. No I dont have them but it is pretty simple to make. new link to the video (I deleted the old one by mistake)

That is one scary mask. Really impressive!

I have never seen a jig for sharpening a round knife which is strange considering the skill it requires to sharpen one. As I have no intention of spending the time learning to do it free hand I made a jig: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3pp-kn6MpM more pictures and video here: http://andersenleather.blogspot.dk/2015/05/round-knife-sharpening-jig.html

The stitching has nothing to do with holding the lock in place. It is there to secure the backing piece of leather. The brass pins will hold it together no problems. The lock itself is rather thick so it protrudes something like 5-8 mm from the back of the leather. Also the edges of the box is sharp so you really need som kind of backing leather. If you glue it with good contact cement I think it would hold without stitching. in the leather working handbook by Valerie Michael she shows how to install the lock.

You can trust them for sure. Regarding the quality of their leather I have tried "Double shoulders - natural" and "Sides - Natural". The shoulders are from italy and are better then the sides which comes from brasil. The sides I would not buy again. Their Double Bend are also from italy so I would buy that instead. I do not know how good quality the leather is as I have nothing to compair with. This bag is made of the "Sides - Natural" http://andersenleather.blogspot.dk/2015/04/classic-english-briefcase.html

I'm from denmark so I have been in their store and and also bought from them online. They are real nice. What do you want to know?

1) I made mine 2 mm oversize and trimed it down after it was sewn together. I think you could go down to 1 mm. 2) Hand sew 3) Fil au chinois thread size 632 (0,51mm in diameter) 8.5 spi 4) It does not mean much. Some say that sewing across will weaken the strap but I don't think that straps that have been sewn across has a tendency to break. I don't do it though