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whipstitchwallets

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Posts posted by whipstitchwallets

  7. Posted · Report reply

    Funny... I grew up around the corner from a tannery and every day around 2:00 or so, they would vent the place or something and stink up the whole neighborhood. Recently I ordered a piece of chromexcel from Springfield, to see what the fuss was about. Before I even opened the box I could smell that same smell. It stunk up my kitchen and my wife made me bring it straight down to the shop. It's funny how opinions can differ on things like that. My wife and I both think it's horrible.

    I can't imagine! I do work with one person who says she can't stand the smell of leather in general and has to let her products "air-out."

    Either way, I would bottle up the smell of chromexcel and wear it if I could!

  13. Posted · Report reply

    smells amazing. so i received my order of chromexcel horsehide and it's the greatest thing i ever smelled in my life. because i sell my products exclusively online at this time, i was wondering if any of you would be able to help me describe the scent. It doesn't smell like just leather to me, smells like there are notes that belong in a fine cologne.

    What are some of these notes i'm smelling?

  17. Posted · Report reply

    A question and an idea:

    Q: To those that use beeswax, do you soften it somehow before using it to burnish, or just rub it along the edge. Some of the beeswax that I have is pretty hard stuff. It works OK on thread, but precious little seems to transfer to the edge when I try to use it for burnishing. Should I perhaps heat it a little, or would it be better to melt some with oil so that sets up a little softer?

    When I used straight beeswax I heated it up with a heat gun (a blow dryer would work). It worked ok, but that is why i started mixing in the paraffin and coconut oil. The result glides right on. This is important to me as I work almost exclusively with 2-3 oz leather

  18. Posted · Report reply

    hey here's what i do:

    1. sand

    2. apply water with finger...very lightly, and only to the very edge. wood burnisher

    3. apply gum trag (this is a natural product) with finger or q-tip, again very lightly, and only to very edge. wood burnisher

    4. apply blend of beeswax paraffin and coconut oil. wood burnisher

    5. canvas burnish

    from here I'll either apply fiebing's aussie or do another cycle of gum trag with wood burnisher...maybe some more wax...I sort of go by feel.

    This evolved slowly from beginning with hidepounder's thing, now it is completely different. I don't dye the edges so that sort of makes a lot in that tutorial unneeded.

    I'm not a leading expert, but what I do know is from my own experience

  21. Posted · Report reply

    I've been searching amazon for some leather history books. I'm especially interested in old photos and illustrations. Old tanneries, cobblers, saddle makers, anient clothing; everything! Any books that you all particularly love? I found one on amazon about Peabody that looks pretty good

    Thanks!

  24. Posted · Report reply

    I'm in the long process of trying to order some chromexcel horsehide from tannery row. From the samples I have, chromexcel flesh side is already sort of waxy; how big of a differentce would it be if i got the "waxed flesh" option? My concern is that the extra wax could make the insides of my un-lined wallets sticky/tacky after being sat on. However, if the waxed flesh is just a more finished flesh side, it might be a good option. Anyone have an experience?

  25. Posted · Report reply

    Im looking at the main picture and I see the slants going in opposite directions but we don't know what side they went through since that is a different piece of leather. Maybe Im looking at the wrong part :oops:

    But they do sell reverse pricking irons with teeth going the opposite way. Which could be what you are describing. You can do different parts of whatever project with the 2 different irons to create a different look with the stitching http://www.fineleatherworking.com/leather-tools/portmanteau-pricking-irons

    If your stitching looks good with how you are doing it than I would keep at it but I think if they were to punch both sides they would use a standard pricing iron and than a reverse so that the holes lined up perfectly.

    Honestly there are so many different techniques and ways of stitching leather goods that it seems almost endless but Im always trying to improve so I find this conversation very interesting and look forward to experimenting with different methods.

    Hey,

    I meant compare the main picture to the second picture. You can see both sides (front and back/inside) of the same stitch line and they look like they are going opposite directions. :dunno:

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