Scary Leatherworks

I don't know anything about them but I had them saved in my favorites http://www.charleshardtke.com/pages/fineleathers_product_group.php?view=b4084dfa16f43f0bcb6ef02c0473ed96

excellent if you got yours then maybe mine is coming soon.

I didn't want block letters either so I google image searched for different letter fonts. I came up with this and Jeff at Grey Ghost helped me finalize it. I just couldn't think of a good design that woud allow me to keep my name and still look expensive. After all if you are paying me $500 for a bag then it should look nice. I figured a simple monogrammed letter would do. I plan on stamping it on the shoulder strap and then stamping my other makers mark on a piece of leather the size of a business card and sending it, that way I have my business name (Scary has been my nickname since I was very young) sent out with the product. The S is a form of old english or "black letter"

I hope it clears customs in a timely manner. I am willing to bribe someone, although I'm not sure I would feel comfortable knowing that my measly bribe was enough to allow something to slip thru still, I am willing.

I just went thru the same dilemma I have a makers mark with my business name, city and state. but I wanted something more unique and less "craft" like. What is your business name?/ you could make a monogram, which is kinda what I ended up doing. Jeff at http://www.greyghostgraphics.com/stamps.html might be able to help also google images is great to give you ideas and you can filter for clip art as well.

I'm not sure what was used on the previous briefcase but what about Kydex from springfield Leather It's a hard plastic that can be molded with High temp http://springfieldleather.com/product/24597/Kydex-100%2CCalcutta%2C.06%2C3-1-2x7/

What Hilly said. I just use the same leather that I made the front/back with, which for me is 4/5 oz if you want the divider stiffer just use 2 pieces of 4/5 If you don't want to sew thru 4 pieces of 4/5oz (2 gussets and 2 pieces for divider) make 1 of the divider pieces 1/2" smaller on each side and bottom that way only 1 piece of 4/5 oz divider is attached to the gusset.

What you want is a full mortised or maybe half-mortised cabinet/case lock these aren't exactly what you are looking for but will give you a starting point on your search http://houseofantiquehardware.com/s.nl/it.A/id.6423/.f?sc=11&category=114 http://houseofantiquehardware.com/s.nl/it.A/id.6423/.f?sc=11&category=114 http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=9867 http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=9880 http://www.minksemporium.com/Keys-and-Locks.html#M_1881 this one looks close but doesn't show the face.

I'll second what Spinner said. There is a Tandy in Baltimore (I see you are in MD) I usually had good luck with Tandy and they ship fast it it's to far to drive. They have a decent assortment of differing qualities of veg tan depending on what you are doing. I also like http://springfieldleather.com/ they will cut most of their leather if you can't afford of don't need the whole side. plus they have a better selection of Fiebing's dyes. I also Like http://www.wickett-craig.com/ They have some very nice leather. You have to call them to order

I always trace with a ball point pen that way I know where I've been. Plastic on the back of my pattern keeps it from getting ink on the leather.

I wonder if Wickett&Craig could do a nu buck finish like saddleback uses. My cousin is addicted to saddleback leather Co products. He likes that nu buck finish that's so easily scratchable

I use http://www.buckleguy.com/ a lot fast shipping and decent buckles of course there is always http://www.ohiotravelbag.com/ but you need to sign up and a $30 order minimum, which isn't that hard with all the hardware to choose from they also have a sister company with limited products that doesn't have a minimum order http://www.hardwareelf.com/elf/index.jsp Also http://springfieldleather.com/department/100/Buckles/ carries a different range of buckles than tandy. That should keep you busy looking at hardware for awhile!

is this the style lock/case you were describing?

Ohio Travel Bag http://www.ohiotravelbag.com/ has some locks and corners but the corners are brass plated and the locks don't look old like the ones at Abbey, which is who you were referring to I think.

I'm not sure if their quality, since I have never ordered from them. http://www.beltbuckles.com/bucklesets.html

Yes, I understood you couldn't finish it but usually with most patterns they have a pic of a completed product so you can see what you will be making. I have a few books with "hobo" bag patterns and they are both different. unfortunately they are both for cloth bags also. well with what dirtclod put together it does have a similarity to a bag tandy sells as a kit http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/department/Kits/Handbag-Small-Bag-Kits/44307-00.aspx I've made a smaller version and it works quite well

All the wetting dries the leather out, so it needs to be re-oiled. Apply a coat of neatsfoot to it prior to dying and it will soften up.

Do you the pic of the finished bag your daughter liked? I find that pattern quite confusing. from what it sounds like the sides should narrow at the top similar to Tandy's "emily" purse pattern but like I said I can't envision it from the pattern.

Try this http://www.conchos.com/letalco.html

I'll second Wicket & Craig http://www.wickett-craig.com/ you have to call them to order, which I like. they will send you samples. I have only ordered one side from them so far a "chestnut Show Harness" it was a superb piece of leather. It has nice "pull up" but does scratch easily, though but with a bit of heat from rubbing it with my hand and it usually works most of it out. I'm making a briefcase out of it and they skived it to my specified thickness.

I guess I didn't understand your original post. Are you looking for an O-ring that has a split that you can pry open and then re-close? http://springfieldleather.com/product/8654/Ring%2CRound%2CUnWeld%2CNp%2C1-2%22%2C10pk/ check this at springfield leather. I can't seem to get just the picture to post.

I asked this same question about a year ago myself. I tried the minwax on leather and it does work but you don't get the same color as you do on wood, at least I didn't anyway. I tried a light (puritan pine) stain and it was lighter than what I get with wood and it smelled for a few weeks but if it's your only choice try it on a scrap piece.

buckleguy is good I usually get my order in a few days. http://www.buckleguy.com/o-rings/ and of course OTB. I finally made my first order with them. $30.00 minimum and takes a bit to set up an account but soooo much to choose from. http://www.ohiotravelbag.com/

I've never seen goat that thick personally. Tandy has some thin stuff http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/department/Leather/Tooling-Shoulders-Bends-Bellies/9153-00.aspx that's all I know of except garment goat, which is 1.5-2.5 oz

Thanks for the info Steve. I know I am anxious to get my machine, hopefully it lands in CA soon. We have already communicated about the possible arrival time and I'm sure it will be worth the wait. Scott McGary