Tugadude

I agree and pointed out that they look like slits and not diamond-shaped holes.

Welcome! Doing as well as can be expected in this mixed-up world.

thanks for taking the time to do that. It shows what I was saying, the angle of the slits is consistent with respect to the lines.

I think they do. If you look at them individually they are uniform. If the OP had used a Portmanteau iron on one side they'd look the same. I'd like the poster to do one side from the rear and see how that appears. I'll be it will look like a mirror-image.

I agree that Rocky Aussie has it down to a science. I was just wondering what you learned and thanks for sharing that.

Cute idea and I like the colors. What differences did you notice in working with the alligator leather?

It doesn't appear to me that those are diamond-shaped holes. They are more slits to my eye. Regardless, I guess the thing to focus on is how the slits are oriented to the lines and not to each other. I agree when you look at one side and then the other it looks weird. Stitch it up and then see how it looks.

Looks like it reads Patent Heeler, so perhaps it was a sewing machine after all.

Depends on what you consider a "money clip" but Make Supply Leather has a free template which features a "cash strap" on one side. It is not a clip, per se, but it functions to hold cash. Some of their other wallet designs could be modified to include a clip quite easily.

Very classy. The creaser adds a look of quality and refinement.

Nobody should be afraid to show their work here. The whole point (I hope!) is to learn and to get honest feedback. Most of us do that kindly and gently. Getting back to the subject, your briefcase, it is outstanding, in my opinion. I love all of the little details you covered. I really like the zippered compartment, that is a nice touch. I'm glad you showed the interior, sometimes people only show the exterior and it makes you wonder what pockets, etc. they might have inside. I also like the address tag that is integrated into the case. Just nice touches all the way around. Congrats on a nice piece of work.

A nice thing about Springfield Leather Co. is that they will sell many of their leathers by the square foot. So if you need 4 square feet, you just order it that way. That, to me, would be an economical way to try new leathers out. Committing to a whole hide or a side sucks if you end up not liking it.

Are you focusing on the toe portion, or are you working the entire shoe evenly?

It helps to know what quantity you are trying to source. It also helps to know where you are located as some sources might not be so good when you factor in shipping, etc. Some tanneries have strict minimums so if you are looking for a side or two, you need to consult with a dealer.

I made a recent trip to Springfield, MO to move my youngest daughter into her college apartment. It was the first opportunity I've had in a while to visit Springfield Leather. I was amazed at how much it has changed since my last visit only two years ago. Changes for the better. They had all kinds of "specials", both inside and outside the store. When you walk in, you pass by a number of tables loaded with odds-and-ends and a lot of great values. I got several wallet backs in exotic prints for $2.00 a pop. They are pre-cut, corners rounded, the works. I also bought one of their $25.00 sides. Couldn't believe the quality. Unfortunately, you pretty much need to be there to rummage through what they have to choose something appropriate. But all of the sides were of tremendous value. While there I saw Jeff T., who usually is out on the floor helping people. He is very kind, patient and knows his leather. I also saw Kevin, the owner, working out on the floor as usual. I know things are crazy right now, but if you ever plan a trip to or through the midwest, consider stopping in. I guarantee it will be worth it.

That's a nice touch. Extra pockets like that come in handy when you don't want to open the buckles. That would be good for boarding passes, for example or anything you need to access quickly.

Thanks! I always like to see how folks detail the interior. I see you thought out the pockets to fit specific things. Some just put some pockets in and later find out they're either so big they aren't very user-friendly, or they are too small to hold specific items. I know because that happened to me once. :( The resolene is what is causing the high gloss. I was wondering about that. Nicely done.

Very nice! I think we'd all like to hear more about it, type and thickness of leather, etc. Looks hand-stitched, is it? We'd also like to see the interior. At least I would! Good job!

I suspect the Craftool Pro stamps were just not big sellers. I looked at them in person and I felt they were of great quality, but I don't stamp or tool, so I'm not a customer for them. I've purchased the Craftool Pro Diamond Stitching Irons and a Craftool Awl and Haft and they are great. They listened too, when the irons were first introduced they had a one-tooth and then jumped to 4-tooth. I told my local store they needed to provide a 2-tooth in order to do rounded corners more efficiently. Apparently others suggested it too because very soon after, they introduced 2-tooth irons.

I found this article very interesting. It deals with running shoes, which if you haven't checked lately, cost on average around $120.00 per pair (for popular, performance-quality shoes). https://www.solereview.com/what-does-it-cost-to-make-a-running-shoe/ I think it applies to many products , perhaps even leather working tools.

Chuck, regarding you last point, sure, it would be nice if Tandy could source all of its tools domestically and be competitive with China, but it simply can't happen. Not in the current environment. Now having said that, they COULD offer a line of U.S. made tools in addition to the cheaper alternatives and at least offer a choice. Last year I was in the market for a new pocketknife. Like I really needed one having a drawer-full already. But I'm one of those that thinks the proper number of knives to own is N + 1. So anyway, I narrowed the search down to Kershaw. And I narrowed my choice down further to a model called Dividend, which is made in the U.S. Kershaw sells knives made in Japan China, but this particular knife is from Oregon. I chose to pay a little more than I could have for a comparable knife because it was domestic. My choice. I was just happy they made that choice possible. The thing is, some people get frustrated when a company can't be all things to all people. Tandy will never be perfect. Still, they are responsible for bringing more people into the field of leather work than any other company, bar none. They may not cater to the professional in every way, but they know their audience and they cater to the beginner very well.

Coincidentally I received an email just now reminding me that my local store is open for business. It also laid out the things the store is doing to keep its workers and customers safe during the pandemic.

I'd be surprised if their net isn't very favorable. Here's something I found online. Gross Profit Margin (TTM) - - 34.64% - - - EBIT Margin (TTM) - - 4.35% - - - EBITDA Margin (TTM) - - 8.11% - - - Net Income Margin (TTM) - - 0.50% - - - Levered FCF Margin (TTM) - - 4.38% - - - Return on Common Equity (TTM) - - 0.77% - - - Return on Total Capital (TTM) - - 3.38% - - - Return on Total Assets (TTM) - - 0.30% - - - CAPEX / Sales (TTM) - - 3.27% - - - Asset Turnover Ratio (TTM) - - 0.95 - - - Cash From Operations (TTM) - - 123.03M - - - Net Income Per Employee (TTM) - - 465.18

Tandy Leather Factory has a market capitalization of $27.70 million and generates $83.10 million in revenue each year. Tandy Leather Factory employs 562 workers across the globe. They do pretty well selling junk.

Unlike most of its competitors Tandy is a publicly traded company. If you've been paying attention you have noticed big changes in their website (for the better in my opinion) and in their everyday "honest" pricing. Janet Carr has been on board I think about 2 years now and there have been big changes during her tenure. As far as experience with leather, she had several positions with Nine West in which she was responsible for the marketing of leather goods. That doesn't mean she understands all of the intricacies of leatherwork, not by a longshot, but then as CEO she doesn't have to. She has people on staff that do. She is a businessperson and is beholden to the shareholders, that is what she needs to be focused on, like it or not. Regarding classes, depending upon local covid restrictions, there wouldn't be an opportunity to even hold classes in most of the U.S. at this point. They'll return when they are able I'm sure.