KingsCountyLeather

Lol. I did wonder about that... was a good story though!

I have a curved shaped knife very similar to yours, it’s sharpened on the left side like yours but flat on the right. I love the feel of it in my hand but when cutting leather it tends to drift to the right. It’s very sharp and when I asked the maker if it was for a left handed person he said no. I think it might be? Wonder if it could be ground on both sides?

Ahh... you’re messing with me? I’m on my iPad now and neither of the links open for me. all the knives look great but what’s the difference between the other head knifes to the French?

I’m sorry... that should have read “I would email Nigel Armitage” If I we’re you. Nigel doesn’t know me from Adam!

I am a new leather worker and truthfully I am in the hole for about 5000 euro already. And only yesterday I was thinking that I don’t need a lot of the cheap tools I started with and if I selected the better tools I have I could make more room to work in. when you buy a really good or sharp tool you take better care of them and your work seems to be neater because you’re more aware of the quality of the cut or bevel... i often think ill make a knife from tooling steel or ill turn a burnisher in a lathe or ill make something else but the truth is I’m always happier when I buy a really good quality tool. i follow lots of leather workers on instragram for inspiration but there one outstanding leather worker of them all and his workshop has only the essential leather tools but you can tell they are of real quality (and old) and the quality of his work is amazing. As they say... Less is more! Sometimes.

I could email Nigel Armitage and ask him if he knows? He has often suggested people to email any problems you have. He is also a member here but doesn’t visit the site all the time @Dangerous Beans

Doesn’t play on my iPhone. have you a pic of your knip French?

That is really beautiful! Excellent work. It would be great if you would share the process? How is the shape held to the frame and are the studs on the back side decorative? What padding did you use?

I think this is where a lot of us are... its call experience. In my day job a lot of people look at my work and say wow as I do when I see fantastic leather work. But... I have been doing it for 40 years. And even now before I go to work i am always working out the project in my head before I even get to the site. And even now, 40 years experience, I still have butterflies in my stomach before cutting my material. I think that’s what makes a better craftsman. I never like to hear an over confident craft person. Everyone needs a little encouragement no matter how bad the work but dont lie. (Difficult at times...) @Tugadude Thank you for the nice comment. I personally like constructive critique but always use the show off section because I already know most of my mistakes, i just failed to get it the way it should have been. Last thing... When giving critique, I think you have to judge what stage the leather worker is at and give critique accordingly.

It’s turning out really nice! Lovely work. I bought a set of inverse stitching chisels so as I could line up pieces like you and they work very well.

Didn’t think you were that old Ferg? 1776? Nice work! You should hang it up again.

Personally... I look for the most amazing workmanship I can find and try to emulate that when I’m making my leather projects. I know I’m not going to get even close in quality but I feel I’m getting better each time. Also... I’m old enough now to know that I’m not a creative person. I’ve tried and tried to create my own style and it never works out. So... I have to copy! I know it’s frowned upon but I can’t help it. I look for other people’s work and I try to copy it, usually it turns out a bit different, so the original designer shouldn’t be too angry with me?

Well said. Thank you.

I feel like we’re hijacking @shedhunter thread but I hope he doesn’t think so and takes it as more information for him. i watched your video and was very impressed! I actually remember reading a conversation you and another LW had about charging for information... While I’m new to Leather crafting and I need soo much information and I haven’t figures out which direction I’m heading in the craft yet, I scower the internet for free content. I pay for very little yet and anything I learn I’m happy to pass on to anyone who will listen. If I end up heading in the direction of tooling I would be very happy to pay for your expertise and expierence in leather tooling. Thank you.

@immiketoo your work is beautiful! I’ve done very little tooling but may in the future. Since there are a lot of LW here learning the art of tooling... have you thought about doing a video of you working on a piece? Like an instructional type of video? I’d love to see that.

That’s such a nice complement to you! It must be a great feeling to have someone think that much of your work. Well done!

Hi, Welcome to the forum. I started leather working at the beginning of last year and love it. I am starting to make bags too but started with wallets, belts and book covers. I think everyone should start with small projects to see if they will continue to have the love for the craft because it can be an expensive hobby. I have literally spent thousands of euro already and I dont sell anything yet. For me its a hobby that I hope someday it will pay for itself and if it doesn’t no harm done, its what I like to do. You can start making bags with a small selection of hand tools but they should be quality sharp tools. Do your research and dont make too many expensive mistakes. Best of luck with your new venture. Ger.

Thats a great looking bag. i like the way you have the two zipper pockets back to back and only one stitch line. Have you thought of using a gusset? Maybe that would change the design too much? Great job!

Yea... but that’s not “hypothetical” and You should keep an eye on your “friend”.

I think it’s for branding cattle with?

I will try some small pieces to see how it reacts to the heat. how does someone “hypothetically” iron the wrong side?

The lights were out for two hole days and all you and your wife could think of was “read”? They must be very good books!

Very nice work! Welcome back.