billybopp

I haven't tried shoe making yet, but I'm thinking about it! From what I can tell, lasts can be used for quite awhile at least until they get enough nail holes in them to make them unusable. Lisa Sorrell has a limited selection of new lasts at https://sorrellnotionsandfindings.com/product-category/shoe-lasts/ . You can make your own, but I'm planning on purchased lasts as I'm no good at wood carving! Harry Rogers has a few videos about learning to make lasts and shoemaking on his YouTube, and has also written a book on the subject. - Bill

A priest, a minister and a rabbit walk into a clinic to give blood. The nursed asked the rabbit "What is your blood type?" He replied "I am probably a type O." -Bill

The Secret Life of Machines was a really great series from the 80s! One of the best at explaining how things work with a slightly gritty edge. Those old shows are all on his YouTube! Check out some of Tim Hunkin's new videos from the last year or so. He has a series from his workshop on practical engineering for makers covering everything from pulleys and levers to basic electrical and electronic design ... from his own experience rather than from a formal engineering point of view. Really enjoyable to watch. - Bill

It almost reminds me of Porter Wagoner. - Bill

I've actually put something like this to use in my house. We have some plumbing that can sweat like crazy in certain weather conditions. A couple of those run right over the breaker box and would occasionally drip onto it: Not a good situation! I shredded up a towel and tied it to the pipe upstream for the box, so now the water hits the towel and stops there - the towel gets wet up near the pipe, but the water dries out even before it can drip to the floor. - Bill

You are correct. Fringe was intended, originally at least, to give water a place to go where it wouldn't soak through the main part of the leather, and allow it to dry more quickly due to the increased surface area. Attractive nor not, it served a purpose. - Bill

No project is complete until there has been a blood sacrifice. - Bill

https://tandyleather.com/collections/tools/products/replacement-blades-5-pack Injector razor blades should work as well.

Welcome aboard! - Bill

Volume III has some scabbards and zippered cases. They are available from Tandy Leather at $14.99 US each. https://tandyleather.com/collections/supplies/products/the-art-of-making-leather-cases?variant=31977098838147 They should be available on Amazon as well, but probably more expensive. - Bill

Agreed! There are three books, and they are excellent. The projects are mostly outdated (unless you're still using an instamatic camera), but the principles in it are still as valid as ever. - Bill

Welcome aboard! You'll be surprised how woodworking skills can be helpful with leather! - Bill

I've seen a couple of those shells in the Smithsonian. They're really cool! - Bill

It might be interesting, but probably not very do-able! The Stohlmans have both been gone for many years, as is (I think) George Hurst, who would have been a good author and knew them well. At least in later years, the Stohlmans were VERY private according to Hurst, to the point of even rejecting business meetings with Tandy for months on end! But I have no doubt that there would have been some fantastic stories is such a book! - Bill

Several years ago, Serge Volken did a video on incision knife carving on YouTube that was fairly interesting. - Bill

You're probably right. Some leather shops "back in the day" may have had dedicated tools for tooling, but I have no doubt that folks decorated their leather - maybe around a campfire at night when on the trail or whatever. I remember reading that Al Stohlman did some of that sort of thing. He served in WWII and did some leatherwork then - and when he returned home didn't have access, or couldn't afford, proper tools so he made his own from nails, screws, bolts - whatever could be found. - Bill

LOL! It's probably like anything else - when you do a thing occasionally and for your own gratification it can be relaxing and satisfying. When you do it for a job, not so much! I have friends that liked to make home-brewed beer, and got very good at it. They decided to go into business brewing, and took all of the joy out of it. To quote one of them "The best way to ruin a perfectly good hobby is to make a business out of it." - Bill

Cellulose kitchen sponges don't seem to work well with dye. They get hard quickly and can crumble after awhile too. When I can, I dip dye. Spraying is a good option if you have the equipment. I also sometimes use sheepskin, a brush, or a foam brush. - Bill

Welcome aboard! - Bill

YIKES! I had no idea they'd be that expensive!! LOL Got a pig farm nearby? :D - Bill

Sone shoe makers still use boar whiskers for some sewing. You may be able to get some of 'em. What could be a better whisker than an actual whisker!? - Bill

I'm with you. It mostly come from the idea that anything that has no wording - and just the noise of the activity is ASMR. It's not, but folks seem to like that "buzzword". - Bill

When I worked in an electronics lab, we had non-static labcoats with a bit of metal fiber woven in. Possibly that thread would be used to sew that sort of thing? - Bill

Try 90%+ isopropyl alcohol, found at drug stores. - Bill