Macca

hmm, maybe I got lucky with my set, might have to go Blanchard if this is common, just hate the idea of paying 3X the price ! heres the dixons I got

I got a set of 10SPI irons couple of months ago Cant fault them in all honesty, some of the other tools weren't great, creaser etc but the irons were spot on.

Its not a little though, its a huge amount more, buy a few sizes in different SPI & it gets scary expensive buying the Blanchards they may be finished a little better but I would question the usage or end result being any better looking at a single iron 1 inch, 12 SPI blanchard 180 euros dixons 66 euros

lovely work on those Walter Probably better now than they were new !

change your thread Only two I use & would recommend are Tiger thread, which is a waxed polyester braided thread or fil au chinois lin cable if you want a natural thread. Both expensive, but theres a reason for that, I'm sure other people will have some more suggestions for you.

hmm, half that still a fair bit, but it really is a nice find hurts less if I think about the cost per page ? Actually, no, that didn't help much

Dunhill/Hermes etc buy the best leather you can find in Europe, even then, there is huge wastage very little ends up getting used, most is scrapped http://manufactureandindustry.blogspot.de/2012/03/factory-visit-no-8-dunhill-walthamstow.html

its here at last ! http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=51356

very happy, finally arrived ! (long journey from Oz) & I didn't get totally screwed over with customs charges. all 48 pages complete & undamaged, bit rare to find a complete one for sale more info in this thread http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=27800&st=0 & this old auction has some decent pictures of it, its a bit nice ! http://www.ebay.com/itm/LE-CUIR-COMPOSITIONS-DECORATIVES-JEHAN-RAYMOND-FRANCE-/300474702403?nma=true&si=76aT2moNook2eGprAVKnFkRqTSU%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

If you are talking about pricking irons, Blanchard are a bit higher quality than dixons, finished off a bit better, I've compared them side by side But the marks they make on the leather ? I doubt you would notice any difference , tool longevity ? I doubt you would notice any difference, they are both very well made & made for pro use. However, price wise, there is a huge difference between them, if you are going to order a few different sizes the Blanchards quickly become crazy money. The goods japan ones are made for punching diamond holes, very different to the dixons/blanchards , still good, but a different tool entirely in my opinion & if you want to do high stitches per inch then dixons/blanchard are your only choice.

http://mando.fr/fr/17-fileteuse-manuelle

very nice really like these !

Social network marketing at its finest.

If you make items similar to things that are readily available elsewhere then thats your price find something to differentiate yourself & price accordingly A race to the bottom is no fun, don't compete on price alone and don't be afraid to charge a high price for a good product. Want to charge a premium ? You either need to offer something unique or be extremely good at social marketing (there are plenty of well known "marketing" makers out there, especially with small goods and accessories, extremely average products at premium prices)

Hopefully I dont get hit too hard by import duties I'll post when it turns up, see if we can figure out what is missing in yours

Got one ! ex library copy, all 48 plates & overlays in very good condition couple of weeks to get here

Can machines replicate the slanted, hand stitched look ? I see a lot of machine stitched articles with large stitch holes and straight stitching, like the wallet in the OP just wondering if its possible to get the same look with a machine ? to be fair, just because its hand stitched doesn't mean it looks good, I think a lot of hand stitched goods could do with much smaller stitches and thread, maybe its just a Euro taste thing..

That book is worth a lot of money, upload it & the value has gone, I wouldn't BTW, anyone finds a complete one of these in Europe to buy post up a link please !

very nice Schpacko, looks like a great tool you have there Nice job Walter !

I'd use 0.8 for 8 SPI, I wouldn't use 1mm, too big

Tiger thread Abbey sell it in the uk

Nothing wrong with using a laser, its another tool & can bring something completely new silkfatblues does some awesome stuff with laser engraving, look at these iphone cases http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=34875&st=45#entry278611 or this one http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=34875&st=60#entry289917 good luck doing those any other way anyway, this is a gun thread, I dont belong here

I posted pics of a few different types I have http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=42815&st=15#entry320732 If you can make it, I would recommend copying the second one, uses a leaf spring & clamps to a workbench the clam & the piece you are sewing are held very solidly the Blanchard type where you clamp the piece between your legs gets a bit tiring to use after a while, clamped to a bench you can work for hours.

indeed ! We should set up a "I saw it first" thread save a fortune !

would also recommend this thread http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=49437&st=0 Walter has an incredible collection of European tools, I doubt a better one exists