Stetson912

Sweet!

If you ever see videos or what not of people like Don Gonzalez, Chan Geer, Britt Nantz, Adam Tanner, or Jim Linnell just study it. Take what you like and copy it and use it. You'll come up with a fusion style all your own. Jim Linnell has a wallet tooling series on YouTube actually. It's under tandys channel I think but should be easy to find if you are interested

Can I see your tree? Hehe Joking aside, Barry King, clay Miller, Bob beard are all great tool makers. King and Miller are more accessible. It really depends on what kind of carving you want to do. You can certainly start with craft tool to see how you like carving. Just as important, if not more so, than the tools you use is the leather. Don't skimp on lower quality cheaper leather. Often it isn't much more to get a good quality leather and it will dramatically help. Wickett and Craig and Herman oak are safe bets. Springfield leather sells Hermann oak and makers leather supply sells wickett and Craig. You want to get tools that fit your work too. So eventually you will want a few sizes of different tools. If I were to say a basic tool set for floral style carving I would recommend -At least 2 bevelers of different sizes, one larger one for long straight paths and one smaller one for finer curves and areas -a pear shader or thumb print sized to fit the majority of your work size. They both taper but a thumbprint is longer and with some finangling you can use the skinny end as a smaller shader -a veiner. These have a few shapes. Lined, scalloped, scalloped and lined, Wigglers etc. I'd recommend a scalloped one to start. -a camoflage tool. Again one you'll like several sizes of. And again again, more pattern types. I like the simpler ones myself. -backgrounder(s). If you can get a larger and smaller one. These look like little triangles and are meant to give a texture to the background to make the carving stand out and give dimension. Bar grounders are used for this too, but that's more sheridan and harder to master. Small seeders can be used too. -seeders. These are usually used in flower centers and buds to, well, add seeds haha. Serge Volken uses them for backgrounding and it does have an interesting effect. These should be a good start. These tools are the bare bones basics but used a lot. Learning how to use them will be invaluable. There are a multitude of other tools. Too many to get into. Barry King does sell a few sets. If you have the money for them. They have everything in them for different sized work. Once you get established a bit in your style carving, you figure out more what you need to suit your work. Finally, there is a stohlman book I've heard good things about. "Leather crafter tools and how to use them" I think is what it's called, I don't own this book but many have spoken well of it. Hopefully more will chime in with thier suggestions. Hope this helps.

Correction, they are called inseaming awls. Lisa offers 4 sizes and hafts for mounting. For finer stitching I would assume the 2 5/8" awl would be best. However, she would most certainly know which one would be best for you

Lisa Sorrell is a well known bootmaker in Oklahoma. She has a website that sells a plethora of awesome shoe related stuffs. Under the tool section you may find what you need. The awl is simply a curved awl blade and handle. I think she has them too. https://sorrellnotionsandfindings.com/product-category/tools/ There may be other places to find what you need too, but this source is all I'm familiar with

1 tequila 2 tequila 3 tequila floor! My best stitching is done inebriated.... At least it's the best untill I sober up the next day... Hahaha

Yes @battlemunky is right 100%. Learning to make your own patterns is a valuable skill. There are many ways to make wallets. Designing your own template you can make what you want or need instead of settling for someone else's design. We'll put munky

The patterns he has are more basic. You could certainly make your own. Ian Atkinson (leodis leather) may have some patterns you can print on his etst shop of that's the route you want to go. You can also look at http://www.leathercraftpattern.com/Free-download-leather-craft-pattern-bag-sewing-pattern-leather-pattern-leathercraft-pattern -key-holder-pattern-leather-purse-pattern-DIY-leather-pattern-Free-No.1?search=Free This site has a few free patterns. But I didn't see a bifold (they call it a short wallet) they have one or two for sale though

What spi do you stitch at respectively? I know this is all somewhat subjective but I'm open to trying new techniques and such That sounds like nice thread already!

Very interesting topic. For me, I like .8 and have been content with that. that said I haven't tried heavier but I do like .6 for wallets and smaller items. I think most people will use the .8 and heavier as it seems to be the trend to use thicker threads but I still think the .6 has a place (albiet smaller) for those that like the finer stitching. Anything smaller than .6 is I think more of a "specialty" for those that do more luxury items requiring much finer stitching. Anywho, I think there already is a good range of sizes and it will only be better if the .6 is added. And I'd love it if there was a US manufacturer of a synthetic bonded thread. Couldn't say I wouldn't switch over.

Matter of fact ks blade sells round dent punches if you're so inclined. I know you said you know how to achieve both styles. Just throwing it out there haha

As Fred k mentioned,angled holes are a result of the awesome I blade shape and need for an angled hole. Both styles are " correct" If you like the straight look useing round holes makes it easy

Cool, nice pattern too

Found this too. It had a line drawing by jls in it

Jls also has a small notebook layout PDF on his website. His is for field notes but, he shows how to make the pattern so you could just scale it up. Or the one I made for my dad measured 19 3/4" by 12 1/4" .That holds a US legal pad.

Maybe this thread? I didn't look super close at it. But I saw measurements and explaination lol

I wish we had pictures of these things to laugh at haha. It's one thing to make something and try to sell it. Even if the quality isn't great but it's priced accordingly (maybe?).But to deliberately try and peddle some second rate crap and then try and convince everyone that it's great stuff is just sad and disgusting.

Thsnks @battlemunky, Im probably going to paint the edges. It doesn't burnish all that well honestly. But I'm not sure if it's chrome or not. But it dyed nice and finished well, so that works for me. I only wish I had a colored thread because I'm proud of the stitching on this one.

Thanks everyone. @JLSleather, I was using one of your minimalists for a long time. But thought I'd switch to this when I saw how that embossed leather cleaned up. And if anyone ever asks me what I make I have an example haha. I know how it is too. Get busy making every one else stuff you neglect the things you want... Then you end up with a $10 nylon wallet from Walmart... Hahaha! Just teasing ya Kind of a "everyone's car runs but the mechanics" situation haha

But on a serious note, it's done during the tanning process. I'm not sure how but the grain of the leather is shrunken and it gives a real cool textures look.

Ahh very cool. @ScoobyNewbie you srink them with Wonka vision...

Ooo shiney!

Shrunken bison on the bottom? Very unique texture

Nice! The bottom one caiman?

I've been making things for everyone else lately I decided to make myself this new wallet. Let me know what you think. Alligator Embossed cow hide dyed black (it was an insettling grey color to start) stuck to a 2-3 oz veg tan backer. Interior is 2-3 oz veg tan. 50/50 is mop n glo finish. All comments and critiques welcome.