MattB Report post Posted April 18, 2012 Hello everyone, I've been lurking around for some time And have finally decided that I need more help than reading other people's posts provide. My name's Matt and I'm from the south east of England. I've never worked a piece of leather, fabric yes, but leather no. I've had the idea of making many things over the years including my current obsession of some sort of belt pouch/possibles pouch. I have a definite project in mind for my first, something which on face value doesn't look too complicated. Basically I plan to reproduce the billykirk belt pouch http://store.billyki...e/product/090BP . It looks to be one piece of leather which is hand stitched on the two sides. I have studied this and studied it, scoured the forums here for what tools I might need and especially what type of leather I should use. Theirs seems to be a nice 5mm semi supple leather but I am hoping some of you sagely members might be able to advise on that (as well as a nice set of tools to create it). Can any other Brits here recommend some good places to get leather etc? There seems to be a wealth of suppliers in the US but over here it seems kind of limited. Anyway you all seem to be a very friendly bunch and I look forward to contributing to this already fab forum. CheersMatt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted April 18, 2012 IMO their stuff is way over rated. All you need to make that pouch is a awl, needles, thread, poster board to make your pattern and a knife to cut it out with. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chavez Report post Posted April 18, 2012 Hi MattB and welcome to leatherwork! LePrevo is my favorite place ot get leather & some tools. They are usually very helpful and have good quality leather at reasonable prices. They also have a huge selection of tools & fittings (most tools are unfortunately from the "cheaper" range, however they have some good quality british made tools too). I'd suggest getting all your basic stuff from there. If you decide to get serious, joseph dixon is probably the only place where you can get pro quality saddlery tools (at least I'm not aware of any other tool makers in the UK) though they are rather expensive. Used tools from e-bay are an option though they often end up being sold for almost as much as new ones from JD. Looks like a well looked after tool just doesn't depreciate at all. There is also handtools-uk.com website which sells some Osborne tools, though they seem to have a limited selection there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
celticleather Report post Posted April 19, 2012 Welcome to the Forum, Matt. Depending on where you are in the south-east, one of the best places to buy leather is J T Batchelor in Islington (http://jtbatchelor.co.uk/). They have just about every type of leather in stock, but I would recommend visiting them rather than relying on their rather poor website or a telephone call. You would meet Ted and/or Rocky, both of whom are extremely knowledgeable and helpful, and they would soon put you on the right track. They also have an amazing selection of tools and equipment. Le Prevo are also very good, but you can't beat seeing and feeling the leather before you buy! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MattB Report post Posted April 19, 2012 Thank you all, I appreciate the help. Celticleather, I'm just outside of Brighton and try to go into London as little as possible. I would make an exception to go somewhere to actually feel the leather because you're right, I'm hankering after touching it and getting a feel for it. I have no idea what sort of thickness I would need for that pouch. I have come across the leprovo website but find it rather difficult to navigate. They do seem to have a most comprehensive range. Dirtclod, yes I do agree, they maybe are a bit overrated, however, I do like their aesthetics and materials. They have a good feel for the way a product looks and will age. Whilst perhaps not being the most complicated of products, to me they do look very nice - doesn't make me want to drop $100+ for a small pouch though. Also, as an aside, how do I change the flag underneath my name Many thanksMatt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lightningad Report post Posted April 19, 2012 Hi Matt, its worth phoning Le Prevo and having a chat. I did and learned mor ein 15mins than in the weeks of web trawling. I bought my first proper piece of leather based on the guys advice, and i'm really happy with the leather i got. As for tools - one way is to buy on eof the Tandy starter kits. It comes with various projects and tools and some dyes etc. The tools may not be the worlds greatest but they provide you with a starting point. Often the kits are on sale at a price that is lower than just buying the tools alone. be ware though...leather work is addicitive and you may find yourself finding excuses to buy more tools and leathers. I have spent loads since my wife bought me a starter kit this christmas! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chavez Report post Posted April 19, 2012 be ware though...leather work is addicitive and you may find yourself finding excuses to buy more tools and leathers. I have spent loads since my wife bought me a starter kit this christmas! It is addictive, isn't it. I already overrun my starter budget 4 times since I started in October and I'm still lacking some of the most basic tools. Hopefully it will all pay off when I start trading part time=) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
celticleather Report post Posted April 20, 2012 I have no idea what sort of thickness I would need for that pouch. The pouch that you looking to make is remarkably similar to one that I've been making for over twenty years! I use 3-3.5mm vegetable tanned leather, which I buy as natural (russet) shoulders and dye to whatever colour I require. There are some clues about flag-changing at http://leatherworker...opic=32648&st=0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Leather Girl Report post Posted April 20, 2012 Hi Matt, That is one insane price for a little pouch. As others have said that is easy to make so go with it and good luck. Randi-Lee Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MattB Report post Posted April 20, 2012 That looks to be near identical to what I want to do. I'm happy to adjust my template (which at thmoment is absolutely appalling) to get something similar but at the moment it just doesn't do what I want it to do! 3-3.5mm leather is what I was thinking too. Right then, now that I have the information (thank you very much all) it's time I got the tools and the leather. Oh, and cut up my umpteenth template to get the pouch right. CheersMatt 1334881962[/url]' post='244357']The pouch that you looking to make is remarkably similar to one that I've been making for over twenty years! I use 3-3.5mm vegetable tanned leather, which I buy as natural (russet) shoulders and dye to whatever colour I require. There are some clues about flag-changing at http://leatherworker...opic=32648&st=0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smith and Son Report post Posted May 16, 2012 So Matt ? Have you started yet ? what did you buy ? I am a newbie at leather so am also interested. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
