AlexOstacchini Report post Posted March 26, 2023 Hi all, A bit of a photo dump as I haven't posted anything here in a while. I've had to compress the pics to pretty lousy quality to get them all in but you get the idea. Here is a load of stuff from the past year or so, some of it stock things and some of it custom work built to client specs. One of my bestsellers since I started making them has been cases for vernier and digital callipers, so lots of those, as well as cases for scalpels. Then various belts, pouches, knives and sheaths. I upgraded my tandy swivel knife to one from leather wranglers, quite a big investment once you add UK customs fees but it is a big improvement, stays sharp for much longer. Ditto for Barry King stamps, I am a little jealous of the US for leather tools as shipping etc has cost me a fortune, but oh well, I doubt I'll have to buy them again. Stitching here is all by hand with waxed linen, and edge lacing is with kangaroo lace. I had never double loop edged a belt before the one here, did not realise quite how long that would take... My real interest and most of my day job is making historical things, and so there is also a replica here of a Tudor archer's bracer from the British Museum. I made quite a bad version of this years ago when I was just getting started so it was nice to give it a revisit with better tools and experience. It was asked for with a lining, which the original does not have, and mine has no gilding where the original probably did, but otherwise a fairly close copy. Hopefully more stuff like this to come. Anyway thanks for looking, any queries about particular pieces or tips for me to improve then fire away Cheers, Alex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Littlef Report post Posted March 26, 2023 W Quote wow, that's beautiful work. I love how you used the background stamp, it really makes all the carvings pop! The carvings are exquisite. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samalan Report post Posted March 26, 2023 WOW, that's some beautiful work thank you for showing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sheilajeanne Report post Posted March 26, 2023 That is indeed awesome work! On the belts and other pieces with the black backgrounds, do you dye the background separately from the rest of the piece, using a fine brush? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hags Report post Posted March 26, 2023 Very nice work Alex. Thanks for sharing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert03241 Report post Posted March 27, 2023 Wow!! Just WOW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gezzer Report post Posted March 27, 2023 Absolutely stunning !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted March 27, 2023 How much of it is embossed? All of it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PastorBob Report post Posted March 27, 2023 Very sharp!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handstitched Report post Posted March 27, 2023 Looks nice......but Glad its not just me HS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigBore Report post Posted March 27, 2023 Well I can see why 'you haven't posted in a while'...you've been busy! And you are seriously talented. Great work on all! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuck123wapati Report post Posted March 27, 2023 1 hour ago, Handstitched said: Looks nice......but Glad its not just me HS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert03241 Report post Posted March 27, 2023 Why are you guys glad its not you? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredk Report post Posted March 27, 2023 woweee! all that deserves at least two Some really fabulous tooling I wish it was me, or at least that I was able to do any tooling even 1/10 as good Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlexOstacchini Report post Posted March 27, 2023 (edited) Thanks for the compliments all, glad you like it 21 hours ago, Sheilajeanne said: On the belts and other pieces with the black backgrounds, do you dye the background separately from the rest of the piece, using a fine brush? Yes, exactly that. The black dye tends to bleed but will naturally stop at the cuts as long as the brush isn't loaded up too heavily, so I always paint a few mm away from the carved lines and it will bleed up to them. 18 hours ago, JLSleather said: How much of it is embossed? All of it? Most of the stuff I make tends to be tooled to some degree, though not always and I often get asked for plain things too. As a process I really enjoy it but the look isn't for everyone. 3 hours ago, fredk said: I wish it was me, or at least that I was able to do any tooling even 1/10 as good I'm sure you can! The tool upgrades for me made a big difference, but the bread and butter tooling techniques, eg bevelling and decorative cuts was picked up from youtube tutorials and lots of practice. Still plenty out there better than me! 21 hours ago, Littlef said: wow, that's beautiful work. I love how you used the background stamp, it really makes all the carvings pop! Thanks, that is a Barry King bar grounder, it's become my default pretty much. I've looked at lots of ways people orient these stamps and experimented a bit when I first got them, but quite liked the look of angled even rows so that's what I do most of the time now. Alex Edited March 27, 2023 by AlexOstacchini Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomE Report post Posted March 27, 2023 Like the rooster! ...and everything else. Beautiful work. Thanks for showing us. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyV Report post Posted March 27, 2023 Quite a unique collection and exquisite work! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Littlef Report post Posted March 27, 2023 1 hour ago, AlexOstacchini said: Thanks for the compliments all, glad you like it Yes, exactly that. The black dye tends to bleed but will naturally stop at the cuts as long as the brush isn't loaded up too heavily, so I always paint a few mm away from the carved lines and it will bleed up to them. Most of the stuff I make tends to be tooled to some degree, though not always and I often get asked for plain things too. As a process I really enjoy it but the look isn't for everyone. I'm sure you can! The tool upgrades for me made a big difference, but the bread and butter tooling techniques, eg bevelling and decorative cuts was picked up from youtube tutorials and lots of practice. Still plenty out there better than me! Thanks, that is a Barry King bar grounder, it's become my default pretty much. I've looked at lots of ways people orient these stamps and experimented a bit when I first got them, but quite liked the look of angled even rows so that's what I do most of the time now. Alex Nice, thanks. I'm gonna have to pick a couple of those up! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert03241 Report post Posted March 27, 2023 So is it all hand carved and tooled or is it mostly embossed ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted March 27, 2023 (edited) 3 hours ago, AlexOstacchini said: 21 hours ago, JLSleather said: How much of it is embossed? All of it? Most of the stuff I make tends to be tooled to some degree, though not always and I often get asked for plain things too. As a process I really enjoy it but the look isn't for everyone. 1 hour ago, Bert03241 said: So is it all hand carved and tooled or is it mostly embossed ? Yeah, I think no answer IS an answer "Tooled to some degree" is no answer. I could machine press a design, put a couple of knife cuts here n there, bob a couple o mulefoots in it, and call it "hand tooled" leather. It's not new - all been done before. SOMETIMES if you git wonderin' what's actually tooled, ask for something mirror image. Not rotated around by spinning the die in the press, but actually REVERSED. Or better yet, ask them to quote and do YOUR design you will provide... That said, "stamped" or "embossed" is fine - nothin' "wrong" with that. I just like to see it called what it is. Here's one that includes both... Edited March 28, 2023 by JLSleather Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handstitched Report post Posted March 28, 2023 2 hours ago, JLSleather said: Tooled to some degree" is no answer. I could machine press a design, put a couple of knife cuts here n there, bob a couple o mulefoots in it, and call it "hand tooled" leather. It's not new - all been done before. My gut instinct was right. HS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlexOstacchini Report post Posted March 28, 2023 (edited) 7 hours ago, Bert03241 said: So is it all hand carved and tooled or is it mostly embossed ? 5 hours ago, JLSleather said: "Tooled to some degree" is no answer. I could machine press a design, put a couple of knife cuts here n there, bob a couple o mulefoots in it, and call it "hand tooled" leather. It's not new - all been done before. 3 hours ago, Handstitched said: My gut instinct was right. Sorry this is just a semantic misunderstanding on my part, I just read embossed as tooled. No there is no embossing in the sense of a big plate to do repeated designs or press in an outline, and no laser cutter etc to lay out patterns. I thought the original question was if everything I made was tooled. The 'tooled to some degree' comment I realise now implies vagueness in the context you desrcibe, but not trying to hide anything, I simply meant that I mostly make tooled items as opposed to plain/untooled! Everything here is 100% hand carved. I draw out all my tooling patterns either directly onto the leather, or for anything where I need repeats (ie the coasters or swiss army knife cases above) it is done on paper first so it can be traced on. So no, no embossing. Just swivel knife and bevelling stamps. You will see slight differences between all of the pieces above. 5 hours ago, JLSleather said: SOMETIMES if you git wonderin' what's actually tooled, ask for something mirror image. Not rotated around by spinning the die in the press, but actually REVERSED. Or better yet, ask them to quote and do YOUR design you will provide... I know what you mean, it is most telling on belts which use a rolling press, as the strap end can never be finished properly and the border and pattern will not taper down into the point. But yes a mirrored version of anything here would be no problem, and aside from the repeated items (which I sell frequently so keep a stock of), many of the items pictures are exactly the one off client designs you mention. Hope that clears things up! Alex Edited March 28, 2023 by AlexOstacchini Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert03241 Report post Posted March 28, 2023 Very good you do amazing work, sorry for the skepticism Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PastorBob Report post Posted March 28, 2023 Stunning! Absolutely stunning! Thanks for sharing these beauties!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted March 28, 2023 5 hours ago, AlexOstacchini said: it is most telling on belts which use a rolling press, as the strap end can never be finished properly Some have moved to using a PLATE IN A PRESS for belts, instead of the rollers, for exactly that No matter. Certainly we'd all agree that your coloring is quite nice Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
