My First Real Project - A Messenger Bag

[andyb]

I have made a few small projects (like a pocket watch holder to wear on a belt and some other very small items), but this is the first project I have ever attempted with more than a couple of dollars worth of leather. It came out exactly like I envisioned it, but my vision at this point is limited, since I am a leatherworking newbie. I really need to start learning how to do carving and stamping, as there are some beautiful examples posted here by others.

I had the bag partially sewn, and decided it was too long, so I cut it apart and shortened it by a few inches. It didn't affect anything, just took me more time, and I ended up using the cutoffs as the strap guides and some other items, so none went to waste. It is Craftsman 8-9 oz veg tanned tooling leather from Tandy, and all hand stitched because I don't have a sewing machine that would work to do this. I still have to soften the leather a bit and use it to give it a bit more worn appearance, but it came out pretty good.

The one tip I would be interested in, is how to soften the leather. I know veg tanned stuff isn't going to be as soft as other types, but any amount of softness would be good.

EDIT: I forgot to add, one half of the shoulder strap is a section of military sling. I liked how the hooks for adjusting the length worked, so I used the sling instead of pulling the hooks off of it.

Andy B.

Edited March 4, 2012 by andyb

[benlilly1]

Nice looking bag....I especially like the hooks.

[NoahL]

That looks very nice! I really like the hooks, too! As for softening it up, just use a little extra virgin olive oil, mink oil or neatsfoot oil and work it into the leather and you should find that it softens up and becomes more pliable.

[Mijo]

really nice, particularly since it's your first.

[Suicide]

Wow! Thats great!

Agreed on hooks

[chancey77]

Pelican hooks!!!!!!!!!!!! SWEET! Are those copper ones? I have only seen brass and nickel! Sailing shops have them, they are for lifelines...I get almost all my brass from sailing supply. Great idea! Very nice looking bag, just add some olive oil to that bag and it will be good to go:)

Edited March 5, 2012 by chancey77

[andyb]

Thanks for the positive comments! I definitely learned a lot about fitting and matching up stitch holes while doing this. I have never wet-molded anything, so that is something else I will try with one of my next projects.

Yes, they are pelican hooks. Just plain brass ones. I saw them on a belt a few years ago and just thought they were the coolest type of "buckle", so had to use them. The down side to them is you can't use them with wide straps (at least I never saw them large enough to work), but that was fine for this project. The snap clips that hold the shoulder strap on were too narrow as it was and I ended up cutting the ends off and silver soldering on a wider rectangle to fit the shoulder strap.

Andy B.

[ramrod]

very nice job! well done with the hardware, too.

where do you get the pelican hooks?

[chancey77]

Thanks for the positive comments! I definitely learned a lot about fitting and matching up stitch holes while doing this. I have never wet-molded anything, so that is something else I will try with one of my next projects.

Yes, they are pelican hooks. Just plain brass ones. I saw them on a belt a few years ago and just thought they were the coolest type of "buckle", so had to use them. The down side to them is you can't use them with wide straps (at least I never saw them large enough to work), but that was fine for this project. The snap clips that hold the shoulder strap on were too narrow as it was and I ended up cutting the ends off and silver soldering on a wider rectangle to fit the shoulder strap.

Andy B.

That s a great mod Andy! Much respect for that! Cutting off the ends of the hooks and making it work, that is what it is all about! Pelicans are designed for ropes for lifelines so they are always round. In your picture they look copper, maybe just the way the light it hitting them.

I love sailing and equipment and use pieces from boats all the time. I never thought about using them for latches (really kicking myself right now), I always use the big brass clips, but now you have me thinking. Thanks for the share, and keep up the great work!

As far as tooling stamps and using a swivel knife go, you are in the right place to get tips and advise for that!!!!!

Take some of the scraps the you have left over and give it w whirl...practice, practice, practice...If you are not sure what you need there is a place on the forum here about tools for beginners, and there are a lot of videos on Tandy's Web site, that should get you up and running before you know it. Stamps are all about consistency, the amount of force made to make the stamp last and repetition along with rhythm for things like backgrounders. Swivel knife work, best rule is to cut 1/2 the depth into the leather and bevel the knife cuts to make it from 2d to the glorious 3d that you are searching for.

It seems you are not a novas when it comes to tools , so just like everything else work and tool related let your tools do the work they where designed to do, a hammer has different weights for a reason, let the hammers do their job no need to over work your arm:) I have 3 different weights depending on what I am using the stamps for.

Looking forward to your next project:)

[chancey77]

very nice job! well done with the hardware, too.

where do you get the pelican hooks?

Since you are in Up State NY there should be a couple sailing shops around but you will probably save yourself a big headache by ordering them from online. The best Brass sailing stuff is made in Sweden, so look for hooks and brass parts labeled SWEDEN.

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=pelican+hooks+brass&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#q=pelican+hooks+stainless&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=imvns&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=SbpVT8TDItTQ4QTW3MyhCg&sqi=2&ved=0CEoQrQQ&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2b804fcc0c4a780a&biw=1399&bih=856