bermudahwin

That's intruiging, if you look at the way chefs use it for binding proteins, it should work, if there are residual proteins after tanning. If it has enough shear strength, even if the bonding worked, would be another factor. H

https://www.artisanleather.co.uk/saddlers-single-head-knife-1716-p.html I understand that English and Huber disappeared prior to fitted carpets being popular, BUT I am happy to be wrong. I know the carpet layers knife is a hook knife, and the picture looks to have a bit of sharpening on the hook, but if the outside blade is sharpened, I'd still go fo Head Knife. (never head Bird's head knife before, its a better description) H

Osborne no. Head knife 73 is very similar

Bruce Johnson has a picture of a draw gauge and some pincers on https://brucejohnsonleather.com/about-me/my-tool-collection Harry

English and Huber, think they disappeared way way back. Supposed to be very good if properly maintained

It is a head knife, like half of the circular knife you were offering. Its similar to an Osborne no. 73. Best Harry

Just ARSE!!! excuse my language. Harry

As none of the following is 'tasteful' and none of the skins given with known consent, you may want to stop now if you are easily offended. John Osborne, one time Governor of Wyoming, has a pair of shoes made from the skin of a criminal that was lynched. They are in Carbon County Museum in Rawlins, Wyoming. The Nazi were known to have used human skin for a number of artifacts (and it could well be that a number of antagonists did this to the opposition), in various museums there are Lampshades, Notebooks etc. In the various collections of leather, say at tannery museums or technical schools there may be samples of Human Skin. I saw some when I was a student, but we were not allowed to handle it as it was fragile. also it was claimed that the source was unknown.

Ok, I know I am going to get shot for this, but based on historical use, dogskin was sought after by glovers for very soft gloves, as it has no obvious pore structure. Sealskin is both very soft and longlasting. I genuinely do not know if anyone is producing either today, nor their availability, as I would not use either. Easier to get and more acceptable would be kangaroo, pared thin and used as a lining. By sheepskin, I presume the previous poster was meaning 'wool on'? H

Thank you Bob, I bought it to take off the table and motor, but its to good to split up. H

I have a fully working 188K1 in good condition, in the UK. Can anyone shed any light on what it would have been used for originally? It stitches very fast. Thanks Harry

I do not crease the gusset, as I rarely want the concertina to be that tight.

Most bags with such gussets have some kind of forming or light stiffening inside the leather. Many from the likes of Tusting in the UK have a fabric inside which helps to 'form' the gusset. Others are lined with a light board or light texon type board, with either a fitted or loose fabric lining. The triangles come from the way the pieces are pulled through the sewing machine, so if hand-stitching you may not have the same problem with unlined bags. Away from my workshop for 6 months, else I could have provided photos Harry

Norfolk boys! Chilled. Hopefully we'll meet one day Chrisash. Harry

As in all things, you produce and sell (or give) to your market. I was lucky enough to do a 3 year college course at Cordawainers in London, and was taught by some of the very best crafts, and trades people in the industry (including the Queen's side-saddle maker and the man that made the cricket balls for test matches). I choose to only make goods to give as gifts at the moment, as I am in full time employment in another industry, so I choose to use my skills to the fullest, and am my harshest critic. I have also been a designer / pattern maker for leathergoods and luggage companies, and understand making to a cost and to a market. If you are happy, the customer is happy and they come back for more, you are making it good enough for your market. If you want to join the Guild of Master Craftsmen, or the Worshipful Company of Saddlers etc, maybe the technique, quality of materials and finish will matter more. Personally I want to enjoy what I do, not get bored of the making the same thing over and over and learn from the great ideas that others are having -in all material design, to see if it can be done in leather. Personally I was blown away by the work on a mallet and a maul by one member - because they look great and I would never have thought of it. There are hundreds of other craftsmen examples as well, but they stick in my mind. Have fun (and make money if you can) Harry

Or you have to clean the glue from your wife's iron, when she uses I on clothes she is making.... It may be sold as Vilene if it was from the footwear industry, cannot recall the other trade names. Harry

Excellent work. I love repairing, and your knife case is a ringer for my (departed) Dad's that he used for his pocket whittling knife, now its my younger sister's pride and joy. Lovely restoration pieces. Harry

I love it, clean, traditional and so well made, brilliant

Fredk I think your riddle answer is a bridge But I have nothing to follow it with Harry

OK silly one for now In which state is it legal for a man to marry his widow's sister? Harry

That looks well cool. Harry

Yup, really makes me grin.

I've always used water, and dye, for 30 plus years, only found gum tragacanth since I joined here, have some in the workshop to try. If the veg tan is tight grained and you've used a sharp edger, you'd get a shiny edge.

It's often a good idea to finish the edges as much as possible, in the way Mattsbagger says, before stitching, so you can do the whole piece, without the stiches stopping you.

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