Railrider1920

Thank you all very much for your suggestions. I actually found a place to download the book that Mike mentioned. You do have to sign up for it though. https://www.scribd.com/document/98650425/Stohlman-Leather-Cases-Vol-1

Hi everyone, I saw a book for sale online about making leather boxes. I think it was from the tandy site, but now I can't find it. Does anyone here make boxes? Could you post some pics please? Are there any tutorials available online? Thanks, Rob

How about a leather destroyer lol

Wow Mike, that is so cool looking. Thank you very much!! I'm so stoked to start now. I'm going to try to find a piece of granite today and hopefully start some carving. I've been at work the last few days or I would have responded sooner. If you ever find yourself back in the states in New Orleans, New York or the Fla Panhandle, please let me know. I owe you at least a few beverages for the video. Thanks again! Rob

Thanks for the heads up Mike. I'll keep looking around.

Mike, most of the tools I have been looking at were identified by letter and number like V678. Is that the letter you are talking about? While looking for one of the brands mentioned, I found a site probably known to veteran leather workers, www.proleathercarvers.com They carry tools made by the following people / companies : James Linnel, Craft Japan, Barry King, Hide Crafter, Kyoshin Elle and some "vintage" craftool. Can anyone suggest other sites that carry tools that you would suggest? Either a single maker or various different makers. These folks seem to have a pretty decent selection too. Edit here: I just realized that the eBay Store is proleathercarvers. Didn't see the connection earlier Thanks again.

The blades shown in these pictures, they look like they are curved a little. Kind of like a wood carving gouge. Are they curved or is it just my bad eyesight?

Thank you all very much. Somethings mentioned I never even thought about, how crisp the stamp is, a plating that comes off, tools bending. At least now I have the names of different tools to look for. Such great info offerd. Thanks again Rob

Very nice!

So the 6 or 8 tools I have I got from tandy, swivel cutter and some stamps. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being great, where do tandy stamps and tools fall? Are they just decent, fairly good? What are some other brands of tools that are pretty good / good that won't break or break the bank? I was talking with immiketoo about Bob Beard tools. They sound like great tools, but I'm not likely to spend $50 or more for a single stamp. Not yet anyway. I found a set on amazon or someplace that was about $20 for about 20-25 pieces, stamps and few other things. Is it likely a crappy set of tools? I read somewhere on here about a company called something Japan, maybe Japan tools. Does this ring a bell to anyone? Decent tools? Are there any sets I should look at where I can get the biggest bag for my buck, but still get good tools? Where would you send someone just starting out to get tools? Thanks, Rob

Oh wow. Um, think I will have to wait for one of his tools. Want to make sure I stick with this hobby before spending that much on a single tool.

Tom, thanks. In general, how much do Bob Beard tools cost? $10-20 each or higher than that?

Bill, thanks for the info aND additional links.

If you have the time for the close up pic of the tools, that would be very nice. If you happen to have time to do a video on the celtic work, that would be great. Thanks! That Oden is something else. Wow. Beautiful work. So faces like that is called figure carving? Good to know. Are there other types of carving? All I know of right now is western/floral, celtic and figure. Let me know too if you would lol. Johana, thanks for letting me know about that site.

I remember moving around gravestones as a kid. Almost spent a night in juvi for it. Don't want to do that again. Just kiddin lol. What is a surfaceplate? Is that also granite? Is that what you are using in your videos? Is it basically a thick piece of countertop? Thanks.

Tom, you're quite right. JSLeather, thanks for the links, I'll check them out asap. Being honest is best. So far I've ruled out a couple "experts". No thanks on the bathroom videos, but if you pay me enough, I'll do the voice over lol. I am looking to do carving, but not the traditional western. I like the celtic/viking work Dark Horse Workshop does. Also things like the Iron Maiden "Eddie" mask immmiketoo did. But, have to start with something basic, probably flowers since most carvers could tell me what I'm doing right or wrong with those. Mike, I just watched a couple of your videos. Cut less, bevel more was the last one. What is the tool you use, I think you called it a swivel beveler. It looks a little like an aluminum knitting needle with a flattened end (but doesn't actually swivel). I also found Ian Atkinsons vids. Just watched one of those as well. Thanks for doing the videos. Raksha, thanks for the names. I'll look them up.

Hi folks, I've been watching a few carving videos here lately, trying to learn a little. Are there any particular youtube channels geared toward the beginner you would suggest I check out? Thanks, Rob

Hi folks, I'm new to the site and new to leather as well. Most of the videos I have seen, people are carving on top of a piece of granite counter top. Is this necessary? Could I use a piece of steel instead? Thanks, Rob

Kyrrk, nice looking work. Raksha, I currently don't have any work to show off. Hoping to start some carving this week maybe.

Hi Folks, I signed up here several years ago. I got some tools and leather then promptly set everything down. I don't remember why though. I found my tools last week and decided to give carving a try again. I have been watching videos from Dark Horse Workshop on you tube. He does mainly Celtic work from what I've seen. Well, I am off to do some reading. Rob

Thanks Sylvia, I'll take a look at that thread while I'm there. Is there a guide around somewhere that will tell me how much thread will be needed to do all the stitching with one piece of thread? For example, something like: if the threading holes are 1/8" apart, 6" of leather will require 14" of thread. If the holes are 3/16" apart, 6" of leather will require 12" of thread. Or maybe a calculator or something? Thanks, Rob

Hey Folks, I am trying to make a kindle cover for my wife. I am using a piece of 3-4 oz and a piece of 2-3 oz leather that I will try to sew up. I don't remember what the stitch is called, but it is the one where there are two needles used with one piece of thread. I think it's called a saddle stitch. I was thinking about taking some white upholstery thread and doubling it or quadrupling it and using it to sew it all up. White because I am hoping that it would take the maroon dye better. I'm going to try using Fiebing's 'Cordovan' dye. I am hoping to make it to tandy leather factory on friday. If they have something there that is better to use than upholstery thread, could someone please let me know? What type of thread is generally used for leather projects that need to be sewn together? Thanks, Rob

Thank you both very much. I'll see if I can get to TLF friday and see if they happen to have any examples of those colors. Rob

Hi Folks, I am in the process of making a kindle cover for my wife. She saw one that the likes online. The name of the color that they use is wine. If I want my dye job to have an end result like this, what kind and or color would you suggest? I don't remember seeing a dye caller "wine". I do think I have seen maroon. Thanks for any suggestions Rob

Hey folks, I was wondering if there is anywhere in new York city (manhattan area) or in northern new jersey to buy tools or supplies. I go up there a few times a month. I figured I could at least go to the shops and look around. I won't have a car so I would have to take the subway or new jersey transit and taxies. Thanks for any suggestions, Rob