JC2019

Nice thank you! Do you know if they sell these in "fonts"? So I can stamp letters

Excuse my ignorance. What are 3d stamps and where can I buy some? Or are they 3d printed?

@bikermutt07 Okay thanks , did look at springfield but they are all out. Will likely buy from Rocky Mountain, I believe they have another one from Japan that I was looking at.

1) Sorry to bring this old topic up but what kind of awl would I buy for something like 0.6mm thread and 3mm spacing pricking irons. I am also interested in the wallet style above. 2) I am looking to buy a 1 ton press + KS Blade Punch Pricking Irons and maybe these "Leathercraft Pricking Iron Stitch Punch Kit for Sewing Leatherwork" on amazon. Mostly to reduce noise. 3) Is there a good source image for what wallets look like with various widths of thread and spacing, side by side (same image so easier to tell)? Thanks

What did you buy and would you do the same today? What made you go all in so early?

Nice, I have purchased Armitage video subscription on vimeo and they are great. I am going through them and noting the tools used. This is going to get expensive. At the very least I will be getting the student knife he uses and maybe the sharpening system. It doesn't seem he mentions what awl he is using? I will likely get a better awl along with a 1 ton press + some pricking irons to reduce noise. Though I did notice he uses a white mallet/maul that I believe everyone recommends and it seems less loud (Berry King?)? I'm trying to look into the weight (48oz?) and shape? Maybe round?

I ended up buying a skiving knife for now but I will wait on the splitter, those seem to all be quite pricey :(. Thanks all

Interesting. How do you do it by hand without noise? I have a pricking iron set but that requires noise or the press? I am doing everything with an awl right now to avoid noise for the neighbors just in case. I see, will bees to investigate machines much later then, I will read up on the forum here. So far I found a Cowboy brand and another Techsew. I see the name Juki all over but havent researched their machines yet

Sorry to bring up such an old thread but is there a new site for getting this now? The old site seems to be down?

1) I am just starting to research sewing machines. Eventually I want to work on larger projects but I believe I can do without a sewing machine while I'm just getting started and learning. I'm curious how long had you had been working with leather before you guys got one? Which one did you buy and why? Are you happy with it? 2) One thing I'll probably get soon is this press I've seen recommended in the ten leather lessons blog: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E0NFWW4/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_10?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1 I would like to press letters and maybe use it to cut wallet shapes, but primarily to not make any noise when punching stitching holes. I don't know if this is what I need and what other parts I need to buy so I'll have to do a ton of research but I've read it can do the stitching holes with certain pricking irons. Thanks

Awesome thanks will check them out!

Thanks, that was an interesting video

Interesting, I see a few garments made with it online. Never heard of brain tanning

I found this post a while back and I could never find much info on this Native American buckskin or it's properties. I don't think I'll work with it any time soon but I'm just curious how it differs from other tanning methods like veg tanned? Is it available anywhere? " Based on the cost per hide, (factoring in average square footage) the most expensive type of leather irrespective of the animal it came from, is traditional Native American buckskin, or its European equivalent, chamois. Their high cost is due to the work involved rather than the rarity of the animal as most are made from deer, which is common place. But it has to made by hand without any machinery or modern chemicals, which makes it very costly. The next most expensive is alligator, with Australian salt water crocodile being next. After that comes other exotics like shagreen (shark), elephant (usually the ears of animals killed because they were violent “trouble” elephants). Shell cordovan, which is actually a tanned muscle from the rump of horses and donkeys rather than actual dermis, when you can find it, is somewhere between the crocodilians and elephant. Of the more standard leathers their relative cost in ascending order are (generally), lamb, goat, cow, calf, and American bison. That being said I have seen book binding goat leather is is far more expensive than calf by square foot. " https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-most-expensive-leather

Great thanks all for your info. Will check the youtube videos out. I am going with the cheapest veg tan leather possible (advice from 10 lessons blog posts) so I think practicing with good thread and kneedles will be my way to "splurge'. I didnt realize SPI and thread mattered until I started reading that post. I wanted to sample the Rocky Mountain stuff anyway at some point just to feel the quality, so I will get their thread too.

Great thank you.

I want to try this more rough leather, is this something like an oil tanned? Or what type of leather do you guys guess gives this look? (I had more images but restricted by 1.4mb sorry) Thank you

As I am learning and read the 10 lessons articles, I've been finding that a thread can make a big difference in stitch work enjoyment. Currently since I'm so new, I just want to try out some colors to play with designs. I've bought some tiger thread (I like the look of this), I think I've read that linen thread is suggested? Anything else you guys like or suggest? Would you recommend this thread if I want variety? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DWQGNSP/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2CR9PKLRKNEYA&psc=1 I know I also want to look into the thickness of the thread and SPI but I still need to research that a bit more. Any resources (especially video guides) that you find particularly handy please let me know. My applications will be mainly wallets + moving onto bags. I know there are no fast rules only guidelines but would like to know the general idea. Thank you!

Great thank you, sent you a note via PM.

Nice, I had lost that video, was just trying to find it. I just ordered some ostrich crust from you guys to try out a similar concept (another video of yours). Ping me when you have the new crust skins, would love to check them out. I don't see the orion calf LTD product listed yet? Any idea on approximate date it will be out and the video? Thanks

Very insightful. Thaks for that info. Are you selling anything now?

Ah, didn't realize you went that far. So the dyes that are used will usually rub off if I do it on my own? And acrylic paints might crack? I also wanted to ask you if there is anyone else working with exotics you'd recommend I follow or checkout their work?

I see okay thanks. If you do get mold is it hard to get rid of or is it mostly localized? Since I will be shopping at thrift stores for scrap leather I'm wondering about this since it's possible I might miss this. I've also been offered free leather goods but they mentioned they had started to form mold so I didn't take them.

Note: I will mostly be focusing on alligator but I think it would apply to other skins too. I know this is a long shot. But for fabrics, there is a term called "Jobbers" that will take excess fabrics for jobs that someone might not need. You likely won't be able to purchase in the exact same style again but it's a good way to buy at a cheaper discount for one off projects. I am seeing a few sellers on ebay and etsy that must be getting similar products for leather (alligator, etc). From reading the pan american leather article on alligator, if you get huge, you start buying in large quantities and get discounts. For the time being you buy from distributors. But my guess is there is a third source? My first thought was to call up a few places in Florida. The skins I am seeing will typically not be grade A (or have chunks taken out of them) but be more in the $100-150 range for a ~25cm wide skin. The prices I see from distributors for similar skins (but probably closer if not grade A/One) are in the 230-$350 range (which I've paid just to see what they are like and the quality, I am a not ready for these yet). I hardly see anything go below this price from the more established sellers. I understand everyone has to make money. For now I am buying through Springfield leather since they have good prices all around (except no alligator) but I am just trying to do a bit more research, maybe there is something I've missed. If I'm supposed to be paying $230+ for 25cm alligator skins then that's fine, just wanted to know if this is expected. Mostly out of curiosity. At what point does a tannery start working with you and give you good discount? 10 skins? 100? 1000? more? I realize that many will buy from over-seas, so maybe that's part of the answer, and hopefully they aren't cutting corners (personally, I'd rather stay local to the USA if possible). I've seen huge disparity in prices from: $10 to $45+ with the same exotic skin of similar size / quality (i.e lizard, to ostrich leg, etc). This leads me to believe there is room to shop around. Maybe I am too new, I realize sometimes it's quality that affects, price, the person you are dealing with, etc. *** I suppose my ultimate question is are there any seller anyone could refer me to that is good but sells maybe lower grade skins? (I have the list of exotic dealers here and I've shopped from them too and will continue to do so for certain projects, especially as I get better. They are also very good about advising me with my projects and answering all my questions). * ** My last other option is to buy beat up leather goods and try to extract exotic leather from that (someone here was helpful in pointing this out) so if you know a good source for those too.. I'm also interested... I'll try my local thrift stores. I'm not sure how viable this will be but I'm okay with being creative and finding a way to work while I'm just getting started.. Thank you, and sorry if it this sounds a little whiny

How common is mold for you guys that have been working with leather for a long time and might store stuff away for a while? Are there any good solutions if it does happen and ways to prevent it? Do I have to worry about buying old leather and it "contaminating" other leather ? I was recently reminded I could buy old thrift store items to play with while I learn.