DavidL

16 is very low for a belt. The issue is when you price too low and you get known for being the cheap alternative its hard to get that image out of peoples minds. I use to go to a barber that cuts hair for 8 dollars, at that shop she employs 3 barbers. Problem was rent in Canada is expensive and the wages for barbers are slightly more than minimum wage. Knowing she wasn't making a healthy profit she tried to raise the price by 50 percent to 12 dollars, which was what the competition was charging. It wasn't taken well since the place was know for decent quality for a low price and was the image that was given. Customers didn't see the haircut worth 12 dollars. A belt at 16 dollars is like selling a haircut for 4 dollars, you can still make a profit, the price of rent will be paid and more people will come to your store, you will be over worked and underpaid which is only slightly better then regular priced and paid slightly less. How this ties back into leather working is once you establish a price range, the customers base everything on that price, the longer its been at that price the more it is solidified at that price. Why the raise in price was not taken well was the fact that was discussed in this thread, people have an expectation, although unreasonable that prices should be cheap and below actual cost and that was the norm. The fact that there was no renovations or improvement in quality also played a role. Only companies that are well established and at the top of the chain can raise prices and not have too much of an impact, but even then they can be in trouble if the price raises too high where its no longer a reasonable. Nike shoes somehow implanted the idea that a pair of shoes are worth 300 dollars. Back in the day Nike shoes were worth 80 dollars and they raise prices to 120 and everyone still wanted the shoes but it was unreasonable, so they lost customers and lowered the price to 100 and no where during the change did any one feel cheated since they were glad prices went down from 120 to 100 even though its still 20 more than standard. Other ways companies do price changes is gradually increasing the price by 30 cents a year until they hit their target price point, more common for food products, where the change can't be spotted as easily. Also goes w/ changing brand logos where the image is slightly altered ever year. So before you continue selling at 16 dollars a belt and are known for selling at that price ask your self if you want to continue at that price point and will be stuck their unless you do the following. (Once you establish price - raising price means that quality is improved/ add new components or better parts, or that demand has risen so price rises so that supply can meet your demand) If you are trying to raise your price you have to have a high demand of your product and set the price right before you start selling. It should go from natural instinct to rational thinking then to practical thinking (if this makes sense). - maslows hierarchal pyramid in essence. Natural instinct is to make as much money as possible with as little work as possible. To rational thinking which is you can't price a belt at 100 dollars if its perceived value is 45-50. Practical thinking will tell you to find ways to convince the customer that your perceived 45 dollar belt is actually a 80 dollar belt or a 120 dollar belt thats priced at 80 dollars or by lowering your cost while keeping same perceived value. Most businesses that do well either have a top notch product or they know how consumers think and are in control of the consumers in the sense that the company dictates where they are in the market place and always tries to maintain position and to improve position, which in turn improve profitability- marketing, brand image and prestige. They aren't wishy washy in presentation and know what they are doing from the get go and consumers can sense that they are professional and make and sell professional products. Thing is you should first understand how a business maintains itself like the basics of finding your true cost of an item, to the rent, if you can get cheaper alternatives, what the customer cares about keep and what the customer doesnt care about take away. Then understand the market place and how to take your product to market and maintain a good product image and a good plan. Writing out a business plan is a must for every business. Takes a few hours but will give a foundation to your business and can be a tool for money from the government for your business or a business loan.

With the splitter (manual) is there usually a guide or ruler to set the blade to a certain ounce? Is this the same w/ manual skiving machines? I was in a workshop where they had a skiving machine but didn't get a chance to see it work.

.

That clears things up. I didn't do a french seam where the inside is also folded over.What I have is just two pieces of leather stitched grain side to grain side and then folded over what I meant by my previous post is the thicker the leather that I'm going to be rolling over the more length I will need. For example I take tape and bend it over the edge to measure it out for the pattern, when I take that piece of leather cut from that measurement it will be slightly smaller then I need it since the thickness of the piece I'm rolling over doesnt bend as easily as tape. If only I had a skiving machine. By rolling the edge I mean the way the front side of your wallet bends over the edge and stitches connect the back and front side. The picture below adding leather pieces in the middle.

makes sense. Is there a way to calculate how much you need to add to the pattern because of the thickness of the leather you are folding - folding a piece of paper you can get an exact measurement - folding a 1.2mm leather means that you will need to add some length, but I can't figure out how to calculate it. For the inside french seam/ invisible seam it create extra material on the inside. Liner- How can I fold over the edge on the excess the french seam makes and not create another excess from the folded edge? Most bags that I own Inside they use a separate piece of material and fold over the french seam, from there they do another french seam on each side.

How do I line the inside of a bag using a pattern. How many mm do I add to the piece I want lined? Does the lining attach to the bag regularly or does it hang loosely?

You can create surveys on your website or through newsletter updates. In Canada they give out business grants for small business, they also have no interest loans for those who qualify. In the USA they may have something similar.

thank you il try that out.

Would you say that VB modern pricking irons are the same quality as vintage vb pricking irons? Vintage dixons look like they are equal to modern vb, but hard to find in good quality. Also does anyone one have experience with creaser tips that are added to soldering irons. I have the option of getting a soldering iron w/ the tips or an adjustable vb w/ an alcohol lamp, both are around the same in price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Handwork-Multi-Size-Brass-Shape-Soldering-Iron-Tip-To-Burn-Edge-Decorate-Leather-/221206907299?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item3380f589a3 Do all the soldering irons have the same size hole?

home depot has long rulers w/ clamps for woodworking that can work

shoe shops may have crocodile leather conditioner.

Anyone here live in malaysia or Singapore and found a leather working class on intermediate to advanced teachings? So far I have Atelier lodge as an option.

if you know all the techniques (rolled edges, adding extra length for the curves, knowing leather characteristics) then when it comes to making a pattern it is easier for you. Search product design on youtube for a quick look at how to get an overall idea of the look and then break it down into sections.

old dixons look like vergez irons.

thanks.

I had a piece I finish come apart at the backstitch. The thread is not poly so it can't be burned. How can I finish the stitch the next time so it won't come apart.

I relooked at the bag and theres more stitching than my first impression, almost a ridiculous amount. I stitched a computer case and it took 2 hours, but it was a lot less stitching. Skilled leather workers stitch purses at the same rate your doing. I plan to use a sewing machine to get the holes and stitch by hand to knock down the time , maybe thats something you want to look at.

Really beautiful stitching. Must of taken at least 1.5 hrs to stitch. European pricking iron or japanese pricking iron?

angelus dye comes pre diluted, ready out the bottle. Fiebings dyes are concentrated dyes that need to be thinned out w/ denatured alcohol.

Do you know how the back of the snap looks like it has a piece of leather "burned in" without any stitching?

I use the same size awl for 5,6,7 or 9 SPI (slightly less than 3mm) and it works well for me.

My vergez awl is sharp and polished like the bob douglas blade. Sharpen on a rough stone only on the tip to get the profile, grind on a finer stone to refine the grind marks, green compound on strop on the tip of the awl and finally jewellers rouge on the whole blade. Takes roughly 1 - 2 hours. Steel quality is similar on bob douglas and vergez only difference in price is that bob himself takes the time to grind and polish the blade professionally, which anyone can learn and should learn to keep their tools at top condition. I have a knip knife and was considering whether or not I should have went with a cheaper knife, quality is very good as far as I can tell. Probably will keep this knife for several years. Does anyone free hand straight lines on a awl scratch w/ a head knife?

Thanks for the video, gave me some ideas.

you could use a thin sheet of rubber, place it in the middle, pull it through and cut the hole on the tapered end remembering to use contact cement or a natural non toxic type of glue for added safety. cut excess on the top and fold like a turned edge over the edge and cover it up with the leather overlay. the horn can be airbrushed or maybe dyed w/ natural type stains.