books out there that have impressed you

[Jordan]

I just finished reading The Leatherworking Handbook by Valerie Michael for the second time and I am impressed. After the purchase of quite a few other books that seemed stuck in the 50's (which they are cause thats when they were written) it was quite refreshing to read one that has excellent, fairly up to date information. I recommend it to beginner and old hand alike. Are there any other books out there that have impressed you, are well written, or have excellent information and the like. I would like to hear about them. Some times I buy a book sight unseen online and it would be nice to make a purchase and not be disappointed by rehashed and old info.

[Warren]

Thanks for the info. I will try to find a copy here in town.

[wolvenstien]

Jordan, I totally agree with you. And me being the type of personality that has a very tough time learning from text, the older "less modern" books are extremely hard for me to get through, much less learn from. I have borrowed several books from my library, but everything they have was 1970 or older, and nothing pertaining to carving or anything that I am really interested in learning anyway. All mention of tools for the most part are of tools that have been updated and replaced with newer tools and such.

I will take your recommendation and seek out this book.

Thanks

[Jordan]

1st publish date 1993 last reprint 2004 I got it at the local Tandy store I think the author is english as some of the terminology is a little strange to me, but is a useful book for me. Covers alot of things from edging to wet moulding.

[Regis]

I wonder why it is $160+ on Amazon and $24 on ebay?? Maybe hand leatherbound vs paperback???

[HorsehairBraider]

Here it is for $20 bucks - http://www.amazon.com/Leatherworking-Handb...s/dp/1844034747

This one is a paperback version. I can read paperbacks just as well as I can read leather-bound hardbacks... :biggrin: It's a little easier on the wallet too...

[Jordan]

I think I paid 19 or 20 dollars at tandy store How about any other newer books that you have found helpful? I don't have any connection with tandy the publisher or the author by the way I just think it's a good book Jordan

Edited December 13, 2007 by Jordan

[Skipknives]

Thanks for the heads up Jordan,,I'll keep an eye out for that one at the store.

Thank you for the link "Hairy or should i say braider"

Edited December 13, 2007 by Skipknives

[Kevin]

At last I can add something that may be useful. For years Ihave been trying to find a better way to burnish edges. This book says to use paper gum. After trying to figure out what in the world that may be, I decided it must be mucilage. So, off to the office supplies stores for something very simple and cheap. I guess it's too simple and cheap 'cause I couldn't find it anywhere. I finally broke down and bought 5 or 6 different types of glue and tried them and ABC children's glue seems to do the trick. Goes on easy with a little practice, slicks down faster and with less labor than gum tragacanth and seems to stay burnished. I don't think the tragacanth we get is the real thing, seems like I read somewhere it is a powder and comes from Iran. An English shoemaker I know says they use gum dragon and it smells like vomit. OK 'nuff said on that, Kevin

[Art]

Hi Kevin,

You need to go to a paper mill to get paper gum, it is a wet end additive in the paper making process. Daughter says it is also used in fabric printing. It is a natural product I think, but why they would think anyone would just have some laying around is beyond me.

Art

At last I can add something that may be useful. For years Ihave been trying to find a better way to burnish edges. This book says to use paper gum. After trying to figure out what in the world that may be, I decided it must be mucilage. So, off to the office supplies stores for something very simple and cheap. I guess it's too simple and cheap 'cause I couldn't find it anywhere. I finally broke down and bought 5 or 6 different types of glue and tried them and ABC children's glue seems to do the trick. Goes on easy with a little practice, slicks down faster and with less labor than gum tragacanth and seems to stay burnished. I don't think the tragacanth we get is the real thing, seems like I read somewhere it is a powder and comes from Iran. An English shoemaker I know says they use gum dragon and it smells like vomit. OK 'nuff said on that, Kevin

[cem]

I just got this book out from my local library and I found it to be very helpful as well, I must say I was very surprised to find any leather books in my local library as they usually don't have anything I'm interested in.