First Ostrich Wallet Build, looking for critique on construction and edge finishing

[Curious Observer]

I made this favorite of mine minimalist wallet/card holder. This time  I used black ostrich for the shell. Because the ostrich was fairly thin and soft, I laminated it to a thin natural veg tan to give it some structure. The interior pockets are a 4 oz black veg tan. The result was not stellar, but the wallet works, I started carrying it myself today. It has its upside, but it also has like I like to say, my signature all over the place (that is what I call my mistakes). I would like to make this same, or very similar wallet in such a way that I can feel proud of it and try to sell it.

One of the biggest problems with it is the edges. There were spots where the lamination did not take well enough, or maybe the construction messed it up, but the thin ostrich peeled away slightly on a few spots on the edges as one of the pics I believe shows. I mentioned the construction because punching through the stack, which consited of the super thin ostrich, the thin veg tan and the mostly double stacked 4 oz black veg tan, created a sandwich that my pricking irons would barely get through. Once through, I had a very hard time removing them as  my irons barely made it through the stack. Though not quite Excalibur I suppose, I had to wrestle every removal which did not help the lamination I'm sure.  Punching around this little wallet was frustrating, which turned into some rushing and maybe carelesness, and it shows in the stitching

Another visible signature on the edge shows in the form of voids or gaps. Even though I sanded with my dremel tool, I did not achieve a uniform a flat and uniform surfaces which showed when I died and burnish the edges. I'm definitely not proud of my craftsmanship on this one, but would like to make a better one, one that I would feel ok trying to sell. I'd like to hear your suggestions or things which have worked for you when facing similar issues.

Thanks for reading, and TIA for any suggestions, 

Mario

[chuck123wapati]

That's a good wallet; it'll look a lot worse as it gets older lol.

You didn't do what almost everyone doesn't do with their first wallet: skive all the pieces down along the sewn edges. I would also work on getting your stitching straight and even with the edges, especially around the corner, then use a color of thread that doesn't stand out so much until your sewing gets better.

[AlZilla]

We are our harshest critics sometimes. It looks quite functional.  Chuck's observations are, as usual, spot on.

I think you did my favorite trick, not holding the pricking iron exactly vertical. That results in a nice straight line on the entry side, but a wandering line on the exit side. Especially with a thick piece, a small angle has a long way to deviate.

I struggle with wallets so I haven't tried many. For some reason my card pockets end up tight.

[JDFred]

It’s not as bad as you think. You need to work on getting your stitches straighter and as far as edges I still sometimes make edges that look like that it’s ok. On your chisels getting stuck problem I got one of these from Tandy and it makes all the difference removing chisels their website says they’re sold out right now but maybe your local store has one or you can probably find on somewhere else on the internet. Good luck I hope this helps.

[Curious Observer]

3 hours ago, JDFred said:

It’s not as bad as you think. You need to work on getting your stitches straighter and as far as edges I still sometimes make edges that look like that it’s ok. On your chisels getting stuck problem I got one of these from Tandy and it makes all the difference removing chisels their website says they’re sold out right now but maybe your local store has one or you can probably find on somewhere else on the internet. Good luck I hope this helps.

Thank you JDFred, that little gizmo would have been super helpful on this build where I was pushing those irons to their limit. I'll call my local Tandys with the sku number and see if they have it. Super reasonably priced and potential for reducing headaches, hope I can find one.

[Curious Observer]

5 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

That's a good wallet; it'll look a lot worse as it gets older lol.

You didn't do what almost everyone doesn't do with their first wallet: skive all the pieces down along the sewn edges. I would also work on getting your stitching straight and even with the edges, especially around the corner, then use a color of thread that doesn't stand out so much until your sewing gets better.

Thanks Chuck!, skiving those 4 oz pockets would have made my job not only easier, but might have helped with the lamination of the ostrich issue I experienced. Appreciate your input.

Mario

[Curious Observer]

4 hours ago, AlZilla said:

We are our harshest critics sometimes. It looks quite functional.  Chuck's observations are, as usual, spot on.

I think you did my favorite trick, not holding the pricking iron exactly vertical. That results in a nice straight line on the entry side, but a wandering line on the exit side. Especially with a thick piece, a small angle has a long way to deviate.

I struggle with wallets so I haven't tried many. For some reason my card pockets end up tight.

Thanks AlZilla, if I may quote you again, your observations, as usual, spot on. As I strive to make things as perfect as I can not only am I demanding and critical of the work, but know exactly where every signature/mistake lies. I think that the attempt is necessary as mistakes have a way of compunding themselves and the result can be that major cluster I don't want to land in. With so many good things I could try to copy from you, why did I go for your favorite trick? Maybe I should get me a tiny machinist square to line the irons.

Really appreciate your insight, continued encouragement and support.

Mario 

[AlZilla]

4 hours ago, Curious Observer said:

With so many good things I could try to copy from you

Good things you can copy from me?? Very kind of you but copying me is hardly a recipe for success ... 

Actually, you've inspired me to take another run at a wallet.  I'd really like to make a head turner.

[Curious Observer]

22 hours ago, AlZilla said:

Good things you can copy from me?? Very kind of you but copying me is hardly a recipe for success ... 

Actually, you've inspired me to take another run at a wallet.  I'd really like to make a head turner.

Sounds good AlZilla. Please send me a picture of that head turner once you finish it.

[Renechaux]

I still use my first one, and my wife also 😄 And your work look much much better than what I got in the first few try's. It have some old rustic feel on it, dno why, but associating it with the game of thrones, that winter scenes, rugged black and dirty white.