Ulfberht Leather Works

Posting in here because I am interested to see some good glue options. This is prototype #1 for a collar I am making to sell in my shop(please ignore the fact that some rivets are uncentered and backwards as it is unfinished and I just placed them in the holes to get an idea of the end look). I attempted to sew the rabbit fur on, after glueing it on with Tandy Eco glue(which smells like watered down Elmers). However the fur pulled through the stitch holes and came out the front. I cut the stitches out and am working on ideas for stitching it. Is there a glue option that will last and can actually be worn without worry of it coming apart? I do not want to make a product that only looks good but is strong and functional that will last. I have several folks waiting already so any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Agreed on all points Tandy. I grabbed my first set from them and see their place in the business if you will. A great place to start for crafters and the like. My friend and I started after coming across a Tandy booth at a steampunk convention recently. We had been talking for a while about it and the folks that worked for Tandy were awesome guys. Full of info and reccomendations. Not to mention they made it clear to buy THEN as they had what would be considered their 'Elite' level membership prices, at the show. Come to find out later, I can buy pure copper rivets from Zack White and they are cheaper than Tandy's plated metal crap(of which I have already busted several when testing pull strentgh). Gotta start somewhere though. I am a tool guy and already see myself needing/wanting better quality stuff.

Thank you all for the help. I have noticed a handful of those sellers on Etsy that get what I would deem far too much and in some cases far too little for their work. What matters most? It is likely that they are at least selling their wares and I imagine loving what they do. I see that time, materials and profit are key. As with any product there is a lot to say for confidence in pricing. If you ask a cheap price for something that looks far superior to its pricing, one may think it cheaply made and not to last. Whereas blowing myself out of the water and putting $35 plus price points on such a simple 10-15 minute item like those cuffs just seems obsurd(even though I have seen people selling a lot near that price). First things first at least, I have to knock out all of the items to put in the store ASAP and see where things go from there. Waiting on a shipment of hardware and I am burning a hole in the floor!

Total newb here but I was at least glad that I had a better than average understanding of tools before I went in. Sold tools for over 3 years at Sears. Talk about marketing! Anyways, I kid you not, I spent an entire week scouring the internet looking for the best price on the appropriate tool or type of tool. Even picked up a few of those cheap chinese punches and re-ground them myself. Might I go so far as calling Tandy one of those marketers too? Half of what I ordered from them(Thank God it was 60% off or more) was no better than the chinese stuff on Ebay

Thank you, someone else PM'd me and used a similar method. Gives me a great place to start!

Good stuff, how did you affix the rabbit? I actually did this with a collar last night but could not sew it on since the hairs pulled through onto the leather side. I ended up glueing it in place for now. Not sure if it will stay however.

I just realized that the other day. Thanks for the heads up man, still learning here. Started oiling right after I dye and have not tried to oil before. Experiencing all of this has me wanting to try vinegroon for black. Gonna give that a go here soon.

Ello Ladies and Gents, I was wondering on a little input. I am new and starting a small Etsy shop and building up from there. This is one of the first items I will be listing. A very simple leather cuff with a stamped pattern, simulated stitching and a tiny bit of tooling(a couple in the pic are unfinished). What is a good and genuine price point to start these at? $10? $35? I have no idea. Any help is always appreciated! Thanks in advance -Ryan

I just googled that term and got a lot of great info. Thank you both for the input. Definitely gives me a great place to work from. Also read up to use a hair dryer to liquify the beezwax mixes so they soak in better. Several sites had folks saying that animal products will cause degradation in the leather over time and to use non animal based products. I had never heard that before and most of the old time dubbin recipes seem to use neetsfoot or lard as the oil portion, mostly animal products either way.

I was wondering if anyone has a good recommendation for a homemade sealer recipe. I made a nice little bees wax/almond oil mix that works great for a finish and to soften things up a bit. Is this okay for a "sealer" also? I have not had issues with color coming off when using Feibing's spirit based dye's, however when I made a few pieces with Eco-Flow I have killed a roll of paper towels already while trying to buff it out. I can buy sealers but am looking for cheaper and homemade alternatives. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Newb and my input here is only about ten cuff bracelets worth of experience. Feibings has a spirit based application and an oil based application. I have not yet used their oil based but have read that many prefer it over the alcohol/spirit based dye. The spirit based dye WILL dry out your leather and make it rock hard if left long enough between projects or depenging on the amount of dye that you used. I have a couple pieces which I had to lay out and little by little re-apply oils to soak in. No Bueno, a time and results killer! IF however, you dye them and oil them lightly immediately after you can keep them flexible and soft. I have not tried neetsfoot beforehand but will definitely do that ASAP. Eco-Flow...... unless my results change when finishing up this bottle I plan never to use it again! I used it on one application and absolutely loved the color and way that it kept the leather soft and supple. However, it just keeps rubbing off, even after trying to seal it with a bees wax blend that I made. Reading that it fades in the near future I will stick with Feibings! Side question for anyone here: Is there a good recipe for homemade sealer or way to seal these finishes with standard store bought products? I like the natural finish and do not want a high gloss shine.

I'm digging the notebook cover! Nice work.

Dropping in to say hello to everyone. This forum has been a wealth of information already and I look forward to the future with my work! Just started a couple of weeks ago and planning to open an Etsy store soon. If there is a Leather Bug or addication it seems I got it. Starting small and move up to some of the bigger idea's that I have. The pic is my first works, from left to right. Well, my second through fourth technically. The first Cuff ended up being cut incorrectly from a poor piece of leather and I tried to work it when it was far too wet. I love how each piece will show me little things to remember on the next and how the mistakes of one end up being a success with the next.

You guys have a great selection and I already see a few things I could use. Thank you for the info

I like it, thank you!!!!!!! I have seen montanasilversmiths stuff in person and I like theirs. Buffalo had some nice things that already gave me ideas!

First off you are all AWESOME! This site rocks and you all are more than a resource, you are appreciated. I am new and litterally just finished my third piece so far. A simple bracelet. I am however wanting to expand and get deeper, I will be working with celtic/viking/norse designs and found this awesome site: The Antik Corp Can anyone recommend other concho suppliers past the obvious couple or few large leather manufacturers and their A-typical design work? No offense, they fill a specific need. Alas I am looking for higher quality, different types and concepts along with the possibility of even custom manufacturers of conchos, rivets, etc.

Last night was my first venture into stamping. Newb here! Took a piece of leather and just started playing with all the tools I ordered and realized I needed some tips. Thanks for what you all posted, I am looking forward to getting home today and seeing how it all works out now that I read this post!