knashville

First of all I searched, and found so many different threads with different opinions contained within that I got overwhelmed. So I need a strap cutter and I was told that Tandy's is not accurate any longer(even though it's just slightly off) and that I should avoid it. So even though it may only be a slight problem, I don't want to deal with it. So who should I buy? Why? Also is there a difference between a Strap cutter and a draw gauge? I know a plow gauge pushes not pulls, other then that I'm unsure. Thanks LW.net!

Thanks. When I posted this it told me it needed approval. Which I'm ok with waiting. The mods volunteer their time here so I can wait.

First off I am willing to travel, but ideally I'd like to work with someone here in SoCal. I'm in Los Angeles. I'm still fairly new to leather work, but have found a love for it(haven't we all, that's why we're here, right?) and would love to really learn the craft from someone who has mastered it and has been in this business for a long time. I want to learn as much as I can about anything and everything. From the planning stages, to putting that finishing touch on a piece and even the way you price your pieces. I'm willing to work for fairly cheap or even free if need be to learn this craft/trade. I'd like to think I'm a fairly resourceful person so if I did have to travel away from Los Angeles I could find housing and a part time job in addition to the apprenticeship (if it's unpaid) to pay for food/housing/etc. I have some of my own tools that I've accumulated over my short time working with leather and would be able to bring all of my supplies and tools with me if that is needed. Even if no one here can help me, perhaps someone can direct me somewhere or to someone who can? Thanks so much!

Thanks for chiming in! I do not mean hand stitched versus machine stitched. I mean the actual quality of the leather such as those shitty belts that you can buy at a mall kiosk versus something like a pair of shoes from Timberland.

For instance when shopping and looking at a belt, or a watch band, or a jacket even. If something just says "leather X" or "Genuine leather" how can I or someone else tell if it's good quality?

Where can one get a hold of this stuff? Where can one get a hold of this stuff?

So I've seen many websites offer leather wallets that protect against RFID, I've even seen Kickstarter projects offer RFID blocking wallets. However, I've never been able to find an actual solution. I even checked the search box here and didn't really come up with anything other then some wire mesh. I figure that now that this stuff is becoming more and more popular maybe someone will know something more? I'd love to be able to prevent my credit card from being wirelessly skimmed while it's in my wallet. Cheers, Knash

Just picked up a small bottle of Fiebing's from Sav-Mor this moning. Didn't ask for a resale certificate. Maybe it's the bigger bottles that need that for it? Anyways this stuff is so great. The leather takes hold of the color really well and easily. Sadly though they were out of black. I picked up a dark brown though which with a second coat looks pretty damn black!

Yeah Eco-Flo is decent for beginning but I want to move on from being a beginner. I'll look into Angelus thanks.

Sometimes I hate California laws. They make no sense/are kind of stupid. But that's beside the point. I've got some people whom I can ask about there dyes. A guy I know uses Fiebing's I think in his products, he does high end jackets, and I'll ask him about where he got his stuff. As for which Eco-Flo products I'm using, I use these stain from Tandy. The professional line, I also use the gum trag and neatsfoot from Eco-Flo as well.

Is this the Eco Flo or some other dye? Well technically Eco-Flo isn't even a dye now is it? It's a "water based stain".

Howdy folks! I live in SoCal and Fiebing's will not ship out here due to some law or something. This leaves me in a bit of a tough spot because I've been using Eco-Flo with decent results but would like to move on to something better. So any suggestions? Thanks! P.s. I used search but didn't find anything, sorry if I missed something obvious.