Leahlovesleather

Look out!! Aussies everywhere!!,

Hi Coopergee, Try www.simonmartinwhips.com. He is based in Tasmania. He stocks veg. tanned kangaroo and also has thinner cow hide (which aren't showing on his website - but I know he has them :)). Simon is very helpful and happy to hunt around for something if it isn't in stock. Kangaroo is really good for wallets. I only buy small quantities. Mention that Leah from Perth sent you.

Thank you for the comments everyone. The croc has arrived and various things you have said makes more sense now that I can see/feel what I am working with. A folded edge might work... will ponder it for a while before cutting anything.

Hello all, I have ordered a baby croc. skin and this will be my first time using this leather. I will make a watch strap and maybe use kangaroo to line it; so I was wondering if I would be able to burnish thin croc and kangaroo together???? Any one know??

They both look really great. I love the dragon story ;).

Hunhunt, that is good to hear. The blade wasn't "scary sharp" so I have sharpened it a bit, but had to work too much over the weekend to spend any time on it. It is better, but will buy a good oil or wet stone in the next couple of days and really get stuck into it.

I got the knife from. https://www.carbatec.com.au/marking-and-measuring/marking-knives/kiridashi-marking-knife The packaging is basic, everything is in Japanese but there is the name TopMan on it. It has a 21mm blade.

Don't know what happened there. I don't have a head knife as I have only been interested in leatherwork for a few months. , They look a bot serious for me at this early stage and from what i have learnt, you should invest in a good one. This is the knife I bought: hopefully it loaded.

I'm uprised you could understand a bloody word I said! I have turned auto text off in my settings, and I am starting to think it was a mistake. Head knives might be something I invest in later on. They look a bit scary.

This is what I bought. The angle is very strep but I an gring that out a bit over time. Similar Japanese metal to yours garypl.

Thank you for the comments. I found one locally, similar to garypl's and will have a look at it today. Cheers, Leah

I want to buy a skiver. I am using a safety beveller from Tandy and want something that is not disposable and holds its sharpness longer. Hobby Tools in Australia have this wood knife https://www.hobbytools.com.au/kirschen-carving-knive-with-long-wide-blade-skewed-edge/. Does anyone think it would be good for skiving? Has anyone used a ceramic blade? Sounds like they stay sharp longer but take a lot of effort to sharpen. Any thoughts welcome.

I will try the Schik Injector blades. Thanks Howie for the suggestion. I live in Perth too,so hopefullythey aren't expensive here. Do they stay sharp longer?

That's how good I wanna be! Especially like your lanyard. Did you keep track of how long it took to make? Leah

Hi, I am new to leathercraft and bought a safety beveller, like the one Tandy sell (see second image). It is great for the first 5 minutes but the blade dulls quickly. I mainly make wallets and small goods. Is it worth sharpening the replaceable blades, or can anyone recommend what they believe would be the best skirver to buy. I was thinking maybe a french skirver like the one in the first image.

Hello Damien, Etsy is cheap to get into. I think I pay .20c per listing and a listing lasts for 3 months. Might be worth listing a dozen or so pieces to test the water?! I have a silver jewellery site on Etsy and have not sold much, but am selling a bit more of the leatherwork.

Thanks Rockoboy, I had a look at the Leatherworker's Assoc. of WA and there is a heap of things there. Mightcheck out some of howie696's posts now.

Hello from sunny Western Australia, I have been dabbling in leatherwork for only a few months but have taken to it like a duck to water. Ironically my mother's maiden name was Last - so maybe there is something in my DNA. Virtually everything I have learnt is from youtube. A big "THANK YOU" to everyone on this site who has placed information on youtube. Even little videos on things like thread comparison are really helpful and can save money. I have watched so many tutorials that I am sure I have seen at least one of everyone's. I note gmace99 is on here (UK Saddlery) I have watched lots of your videos and learnt heaps. Thank you so much. PS: you're not that bad a cameraman. Don't think I will ever take on making a saddle, but... who knows.... I have just opened an Etsy shop: LTLAustralia I only do small leathergoods and don't charge much compared to the time it takes to hand stitch, etc. Until I feel I am reallllllly good, I will be happy to sell cheaper. I don't want to use any machinery - I enjoy the traditional ways. The range of info and the knowledge base on this forum is fabulous, and I look forward to learning a heap more. Cheers, Leah