Leatherworking Has Peaked My Interest

[RTW]

I live in north west New Jersey and the state fair was in town last week and I walked through the craft tent and saw the leather worker, now I am interested in having a new hobby. I spent a few hours on google over the weekend and did some reseach on this subject, it seams like a fun and fairly inexpensive hobby to jump into and I am only interested in making small projects. I have a background in construction/wood working and dabble in welding, so I love working with my hands and being creative. I guess my point is the standard start up questions like what tools to buy, books or 1st projects. I may take a course in leatherworking next summer if the local art school does it, in case you experts recommend that or just to jump into right away.

Thanks in advanced

[Ferg]

First stop? A Tandy store if you have one close by. They will instruct you and have classes. You can buy a starter set of needed tools.

Please do not get the idea that leather crafting is a cheap craft to get into. Once the leather bug has bitten you, all brevity is off.

If you are married, brace yourself for an uphill climb when you see a tool or book you simply must have.

Al Stohlman books are fantastic for beginners. "Tech Tips" and "How to carve leather" are just two of them.

ferg

I live in north west New Jersey and the state fair was in town last week and I walked through the craft tent and saw the leather worker, now I am interested in having a new hobby. I spent a few hours on google over the weekend and did some reseach on this subject, it seams like a fun and fairly inexpensive hobby to jump into and I am only interested in making small projects. I have a background in construction/wood working and dabble in welding, so I love working with my hands and being creative. I guess my point is the standard start up questions like what tools to buy, books or 1st projects. I may take a course in leatherworking next summer if the local art school does it, in case you experts recommend that or just to jump into right away.

Thanks in advanced

[TacticallySharp]

I make knives, got tired of having cheap looking sheaths made for my good looking knives. Found a leathersmith who made a few for me and he convinced me to make my own basic ones. I found it not to be too hard, and the fun began.

Two months ago I started carving and tooling. The bug got me!

108 midas vintage tools, 2 round knives, 1 jeff Cook Cobalt custom on the way, 3 Barry King swivel knives, and a clicker on the way later. You are right it is fun and I have not mentioned the 40 vintage Crafttools, punches, dies, and stamps. Nor the Basic 7 set that sits on the shelf.

Yep, it sure does not cost a whole lot, and THANK GOD , the wife likes me having a hobby in leather as it gets me away from the steel for awhile.

Tandy is a good place to start but, if you get lucky and find a true leathersmith as I did you will learn a lot faster and have more fun starting up.

Thank you Lui at Daddy's Leather Supply in Miami, Florida.

My very first attempt at making something out of my first solo piece, I will wear it with pride as I at least tried my hand at it, newer stuff is looking better.

[RTW]

thanks for the replies. The closest Tandy's is about an hour away maybe I will take a ride and check it out.