Jaxx1024 Report post Posted September 6, 2022 Hello. My name is Jonathan. I started leather crafting a year and a half ago and started with some key fobs. I’m nowhere near good yet. I have made some wallets (slim card wallets), a belt, arm bracers, shoulder pauldrons, a knife sheath, bookmarks. Now working on another belt. Could always use new advice on where to find good designs, what the best tool to use is for certain projects, how thick leather to use , etc. I appreciate it and glad to be here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PastorBob Report post Posted September 6, 2022 Welcome to the forum. I am about 2 hours south of you in Carthage. There are many answers to your questions on the forum. If you can't find the answer you are looking for, ask away. If it has been answered, someone will be kind enough to share the link to it. Thanks for sharing some of your work. One thing I noticed was some of the item's edges are not burnished. Do you have an edge slicker? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaxx1024 Report post Posted September 7, 2022 Yes. I do have a slicker. I tried burnishing the belt as best I could. But only using water and my wood slicker for now. I do still need to dye the edges of that belt as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PastorBob Report post Posted September 7, 2022 7 hours ago, Jaxx1024 said: Yes. I do have a slicker. I tried burnishing the belt as best I could. But only using water and my wood slicker for now. I do still need to dye the edges of that belt as well. I will sometimes use dye to slick edges. I put a coat of dye on and while still wet, rub it with the wooden burnisher. I gets pretty good results. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaxx1024 Report post Posted September 8, 2022 16 hours ago, PastorBob said: I will sometimes use dye to slick edges. I put a coat of dye on and while still wet, rub it with the wooden burnisher. I gets pretty good results. Could homemade leather conditioner work as well to burnish with? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PastorBob Report post Posted September 8, 2022 Not sure. worth trying. grab a piece of scrap and go at it. Let us know what you find out? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaxx1024 Report post Posted September 14, 2022 On 9/8/2022 at 5:51 AM, PastorBob said: Not sure. worth trying. grab a piece of scrap and go at it. Let us know what you find out? Thanks Bob. I did dye the edges and burnished some more. I think it looks and feels a lot better. The only problem I am having right now is going from a rivet for the buckle to a snap. I snapped the rivet off and took the buckle off for now, but need some good snaps that will go through the thick leather I am using. I tried some 20 line but they are a little short. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJole Report post Posted September 14, 2022 39 minutes ago, Jaxx1024 said: The only problem I am having right now is going from a rivet for the buckle to a snap. I snapped the rivet off and took the buckle off for now, but need some good snaps that will go through the thick leather I am using. I tried some 20 line but they are a little short. Have you skived the leather to reduce bulk where the snaps are located? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PastorBob Report post Posted September 14, 2022 1 hour ago, DJole said: Have you skived the leather to reduce bulk where the snaps are located? +1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northmount Report post Posted September 14, 2022 7 hours ago, Jaxx1024 said: need some good snaps that will go through the thick leather I am using Consider Chicago Screws. Available in several lengths. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaxx1024 Report post Posted September 16, 2022 On 9/14/2022 at 11:41 AM, DJole said: Have you skived the leather to reduce bulk where the snaps are located? Thank you. I will skive first and if all else fails, I may do the Chicago screws. Thanks friends. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Burkhardt Report post Posted September 17, 2022 You could also hit the wet edges with a piece of canvas or old denim to get a better edge before trying to slick it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaxx1024 Report post Posted September 19, 2022 On 9/16/2022 at 10:54 PM, Burkhardt said: You could also hit the wet edges with a piece of canvas or old denim to get a better edge before trying to slick it. Hmmm. Never thought of that. Know where I can find some canvas? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaxx1024 Report post Posted September 20, 2022 Hey guys. I found Some post screws. Do those work the same? Also, I found some canvas as well. Thanks! Next question I have in this piece I’m carving and dyeing. I’ve done this multiple times, but do I carve and then dye a piece? Or should I dye and then carve and tool? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PastorBob Report post Posted September 20, 2022 2 hours ago, Jaxx1024 said: Next question I have in this piece I’m carving and dyeing. I’ve done this multiple times, but do I carve and then dye a piece? Or should I dye and then carve and tool? Carve first, dye second. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaxx1024 Report post Posted September 20, 2022 Thanks Bob! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
