KenJWan

Ha. No... but I've actually thought about it! Just a lot of expensive material to screw up on! LOL!

Thank you. The black harness boots are my fifth pair. The brown engineers were my second. I have a pair of black engineer boots that were an evolution and my favourite.

I actually started because I realized how much I was willing to spend on decent boots and thought, "I'm handy! I wonder what it would take to make my own?" I then looked for some resources online to understand the process and once I understood the basics from start to finish, I just decided to try it. There was one decent post I found on Imgur https://imgur.com/a/VGPyZ where a guy basically did something similar that I found very helpful in understanding the process. I basically looked at the nicer boots I owned (the style I wanted to tackle) and mentally dissected the components, figuring out how the parts were put together. I got a few basic tools to get started. Hand cut the pieces and just started assembling. A must-have tool would be lasting pinchers. You'd also need a leather sewing machine (most importantly, a post bed machine... which I had access to). You don't need to wet the leather for lasting (shaping on the last). The top is a skived strip of leather, sewn and then rolled over the top. These are Horween CXL but with a bit of research, you can find out what types of leather are typically used for good boots. Weight would be 5-6oz (or a bit lighter or heavier, depending on the type of boots you are making (dressier vs work). Hope that helps. By the way, these are the second boots I made. Each time, I've refined a bit more. Thanks! But I'm pretty sure Angelina Jolie wore different boots. LOL!

Thanks! Yeah, my first leather project and I decided to make boots. LOL! And now they're done!

Thanks! It’s been a fun learning process. the uppers are machine stitched with a post-bed Adler machine I have access to. excited to finish them!

So, this is the fifth pair of boots I am making. The previous four pairs were an evolution of engineer boots and so I decided to make some harness boots this time. They are ready for the midsole, soles, and heels!

Hey, just saw your post. It’s a synthetic last with a hinge. Originally started as a longer, narrower lace-up last. I sanded down the toe to make it the rounder shape I wanted, as well as flattened it a bit. I’ve since refined it a bit more and will send it back to the manufacturer to get it properly made. As for the machine, it’s an Adler post-bed I have access to at the shop. I’ve further refined the style and when I get the new last, plan to make up some new ones.

Many thanks!

Thanks! I made one. Thank you!

It's a hand-modified last from a mexican manufacturer that my bootmaker friend hooked me up with.

Rocking the boots I made

You mean the nails? Reinforcement to hold side of vamp/heel cup to insole and half-sole to midsole.

The only really good machine is a post-bed Adler leather sewing machine. Otherwise, a hydraulic sole press, a MacKay stitcher, and sanding/buffing machine. Hand cut pattern that I designed, hand lasted, hand channeled insoles, hand welted, etc.

This is my fourth leather project and fourth pair of boots. Each time has incorporated new techniques and tweaks. So far, I’m the most pleased with these.

This is my fourth leather project and fourth pair of boots. Each time has incorporated new techniques and tweaks. So far, I’m the most pleased with these.

Why can't you? I just decided to try!

Toe is not hard reinforced and will flatten a bit over time for a vintage look

Well, in case anyone is interested and haven't noticed yet, I just finished my second pair of boots. HUGE improvement over the previous version. I'm extremely happy with them! Take a look: https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/89001-my-second-leather-project/?tab=comments#comment-608792

I started online mostly. Did a lot of research. Started getting tips from a local boot maker who I’ve become friends with and now have access to additional equipment. They actually fit me very well! Well, there was a time people did this stuff by hand so I figured why not?!?!

So, 10 months ago, I posted my first leather project... a pair of engineer boots. I didn't expect to end up with something I could wear and didn't care about the mistakes in stitching, pattern, etc. However, the end result was something unexpected and so I decided to do it again, this time with better materials, more care, a better pattern, etc. So, here are the results. My engineers, version 2. Very happy with how they turned out. Brown Horween Chromexel Horsebutt Japanese buckles Neoprene soles with Catspaw heels Unstructured toe

So, 10 months ago, I posted my first leather project... a pair of engineer boots. I didn't expect to end up with something I could wear and didn't care about the mistakes in stitching, pattern, etc. However, the end result was something unexpected and so I decided to do it again, this time with better materials, more care, a better pattern, etc. So, here are the results. My engineers, version 2. Brown Horween Chromexel Horsebutt Japanese buckles Neoprene soles with Catspaw heels Unstructured toe

Thanks!. Working on my next pair!

Thanks for the positive comments. Regarding the things I had the most difficulties with, I think it was translating what I see in my existing boots to patterns that might replicate and tweak what I wanted. In the end, I learned that it was important to get this right in order to properly last the uppers. Additionally, I'd say once the uppers were all put together, the need to build the soles was intimidating. That's when I reached out for help. I was lucky in that the bootmaker I reached out to was impressed enough that he went completely out of his way to help, even supplying the soles and heels to get the job done... at no cost, other than a bottle of scotch (and he poured me some of his scotch and beer too). With all that done, my plan is to tweak my patterns and perfect my next pair. I already have some Horween horsebutt and Japanese buckles all ready.

Jones and Vining http://jonesandvining.com https://jones-vining.myshopify.com/ They have many more options and can guide you if you send them photos of what you’re trying to make.

Because it was a “learning” project, I just bought them on eBay of all places. Think they’re the same ones as on Amazon. The leather really isn’t anything special. If you have a local leather supplier, they probably carry what you’d need. As for resources, I found this one helpful: https://m.imgur.com/a/VGPyZ I’d also research the various types of sole construction as there are many for different applications. I ended up using something different from the one shown in the link.