Paulsleather

Yes, crimping. In case you want to dress it up a bit you can wrap the recessed portion with a thin piece of leather to match or contrast the color of your project. I haven't tried it yet but would like to.

in particular, the edges and gusset stitching shows a VERY high degree of skill and craftsmanship. Please keep posting your work. I also would enjoy seeing the interior. Outstanding!

Glad to be of service... It's a great feeling when you find exactly what your looking for!

Hi folks, This is what I use... comes in different styles and finishes. Have fun! http://www.hudson4supplies.com/sc-503-leather-stud-brass.html Best, Paul

Wow, that bound edge looks great. I've got a Cobra 4 cylinder arm machine and have been trying to find a binder attachment. I haven't had any luck yet locating one, though. Seems like I"m going to have to take a page from your book and make my own - thanks for posting this!!

Wow, the patience needed for a project like that blows my mind. Keep posting your work and those fabulous tutorials!!

Great job! Classy, stout design, and the color is just right. Keep posting your work!

Hi Jason, I chose to stitch mine onto a Rather panel first the perimeter stitch that to the cover. My only regret is using a hard plastic shell vs a softer one. The corners crack overtime as they are a bit brittle. I made the holes in the case with my drill press and marked the placement with a stitching awl first. Good luck! Paul

Thank you, and again, excellent work.

Guilty as charged, Monica. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=54455

Monica, love that lap seam! I hear you though, when I finished the duffle I swore it was the last. Keep up the great work! Paul

Hunio, thanks very much for posting the picture of the gusset construction. I had been trying to create a similar profile at the base of the gusset and now (thanks to your photos) understand the technique. You work is a pleasure to view!!

Really like the contrast in color and texture. Great job.

Thanks all! Not sure how to go about getting something pinned but that would be fine with me.

Top notch, Monica. Thanks for posting.

Incredible ! Thanks for posting

Thanks, Francesco!

Thanks 73 and Benlilly. LTC I'm not exactly sure but I would guess 5, maybe 6 lbs. Thanks, Trevor. Yes, all hand stitched. I posted a few pics that will help highlight the construction. Hard to document it all in words but I'll try. I started with a long strip which spans the length of the handle and attaches to the d rings. I then glue a narrow strip down the back of that. Next, I glue the raw flap of the handle on top. Oops, Prior to that I run two grooves for stitching the flap onto the underlying center strap. Mark with a wheel, punch the holes and then stitch. I then glue another two layers to the bottom side and then clamp it all for a spell. The subjective part comes next. With a knife I round off the edges and check the thickness and shape. When I'm happy with that I turn Down the flaps and cut them to length so that they meet in the middle. Then I run a groove on each side, mark it with a wheel and punch the holes. Lastly, I tie the handle flaps together with a baseball stitch. Hope that helps! Paul

Hi folks, Here is another recently completed hand stitched 16 x 11 x 3 single gusset, lock and hasp briefcase. The bag contains two internal pouch pockets, separate front and back flap pockets, solid brass feet and hardware done in a matte nickel finish, a five layer parallel stitched solid leather handle, and an adjustable 1¼ shoulder strap with buckle and padded suede lined shoulder guard. It was cut from a double bend of 7 ounce black water buffalo hide with the internal pouch pockets of 2 ounce black velvet pig suede. All exposed edges hand beveled, sanded and dyed in USMC black. Hand burnished, sealed with Resolene and then waxed. The customer did not request a lining for this bag as the flesh side of the leather was essentially a short nap grayish sued. I was relieved! I put in a reinforcing bar this time as the water buffalo did not have the stiffness needed to support the handle and flap. The handle itself took a fair bit of time to shape the layers and then stitch in a center welt. The center didnt sit up as high as I envisioned but there was no way I was going to build that thing again. Anyway, thanks for looking / reading appreciate your comments and feedback. Best regards, Paul

Hi jfirth, apologies for the delayed response (technology issues). Yes, it is a separate straight strip. The large size of the flap radius eliminates the wrinkling issue when bending to fit the curve. With a tight radius as on your satchel, then cutting the strip to match the shape would appear to be the only way to avoid the wrinkling. Thanks ramrod. Good luck on your lawyers briefcase!

I don't know if this method would work for cycle bags as i'm not sure what type of seams you are making, but it would work on a satchel style bag. Lightly dampen the gusset and form it into the basic "u" shaped curve you desire. While damp, begin to bend the long edges of the gusset back about 3/8ths of an inch or so. Assuming the gusset runs along the sides and bottom between a front and back panel, when dry you should have a "u" shaped gusset with a rim on the front and back edge that you can now glue and stitch to the front and back panels. It doesn't have to be perfect, just close enough so that your not fighting with the leather so much when you are attempting to join the pieces. Good luck -

Another masterpiece... zheesh! How can you breathe up there on Everest? Everything you post is first class and completely refined.

Bob, that tooling is outstanding - really. + 1 on that background for the flower it adds such depth. Way to go!

MAGNIFICENT! That is what I call high end leather furniture. Can't imagine what your customer will feel like trotting around on that... probably like the queen of all she surveys. Holy mackrel! Great job, Bob.

Love the action shot - way to go!