TwinOaks

Well, I listened to Kathy, I think, and worked more on the 3-D modeling of my figures. Tell me what you think. Mike

Welcome to the club, we're glad to have you. You need some basic tools to get started, and actually, a small starter kit isn't a bad way to go. I think that very few leather workers went out and dropped a few grand to get tools to see if they were any good. Plus, when you start with fewer tools, you learn that you can use just the toe, just the heel, one side only, etc., and you can still do quite a bit. That carries over to other tools as well, and you'll find that one stamping tool can actually do more than you thought. A good mallet is a must and here it's better to err on the light side of things. The leather you'll be working ( 2-5oz I think for seats and watch bands) isn't all that thick, and a lighter touch can keep you from going all the way through. Swivel knife- spend enough to get a good one. I'll leave it at that. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for, and while Tandy has plenty of good tools, other folks make them too, and some of theirs sell for ~$60 per stamp. I'll presume that you have studio space, so that's covered, and you've signed up here. So now you only need leather. As you progress, you'll get more stamps, knives, dyes, et al. Start small, both in tools, designs, and leather. That way, you'll get what you need and know what to do with it, instead of having a box o'stamps and not knowing how, where, or why a particular tool should be used. Don't be surprised for some extensive lists to be given here....the above is just my .02. Ahhh! One last thing.....when you start dying leather, wear an apron, and get some disposable (latex?) gloves.

Hi, I'm new to leather, but I like figure carving too. On some of the scraps I've made, I've found that using a modelling tool in place of the knife works well. It gives you what you want ( a feature) without the definition you get when you cut the leather. Around the eyes and nose, in my limited experience, I've found I can use the spoon and the undercut tool to achieve the look. That way I get a softer look to it.

I'm in LA....lower Alabama, in the Mobile area.

Thank you for starting this site! It's a wealth of knowledge, all for the asking. Keep up the great work.

Hi to all, My name is Mike. I'm new to leather working, and found this site whilst searching for info on leather. My primary interest was to make an IWB holster, which I did on my own. Then I found this site and discovered that chrome tanned leather is just about the worst choice I could have made. So I'll be unstitching that holster, and remaking in vegtan. The holster is the first thing I've ever done in leather work, and the second was a pic of a friend's Arabian: I find this type work very relaxing and rather satisfying so I'll probably keep doing it. I look forward to being a part of this community....and trust that I'll wear out this keyboard typing questions!!! P.S. I've been informed by my boss, er...wife, that I'll be learning to make tack for her...and her friend...and some other people she knows....