Repairing Dents ?

[lawnpotter]

Hi I am a new member here. I am not a Leather creator but a leather lover and I have an inquiry please.

I live in Vancouver Canada, could you please advise me what type of person I should be looking for to repair my all leather brief case. It is actually in very good shape except I stored it carelessly and it has all kinds of scratches and dents. I think the scratches could be dealt with but what about the dents. Should I try a blow dryer with leather lubricant or should I seek a professional? If professional what kind? shoe cobbler or upholsterer or a luggage speacilist? or should I look for a local leather maker club? Bye the way I think the dents and scracthes are only cosmetic but I am beating my self up cause the damage could have been avoided with more careful storage

As a side note, I dont really feel that this briefcase belongs to me cause my mom gave it to me about 25 years ago but it originally belonged to my sister and I believed she used it for university. For years I never thought much of it but as I get older I realize how wonderful it is and I would use it if i felt it truley belonged to me. Since my mom originally gave it to my sister as a gift I feel that it belongs to my sister still. It is possible that my sister told my mom to get rid of it I dont know. Generally my sister is not a sentimental person and I am.I love the bag but I am going to offer it back to my sister and I would like to present it in the best shape possible . The briefcase has my sisters initials on it but her and I share the same initials.

Finally for members that own a leather brief case, how do you view cosmetic dents and scracthes? Do you consider them to be flaws or more like well earned battle scars like a baseball glove or Willie Nelsons old guitar with a hole worn in to it.Do you feel the scratches make it look and feel ratty or are you kind of proud of them cause it shows you use the briefcase? I heard that good quality leather scars easily and this brief case certainly does. I wonder if this is like buying a new canoe, at first you cringe at every scrape but eventually you give up and except the scatches.

Thanks for all your help.

Edited November 25, 2012 by lawnpotter

[Cyberthrasher]

I couldn't say how to have it repaired without seeing it, but my thought leans towards the battle scar aspect. I don't know about others, but I want my stuff to be used. Granted, I like to hear that things are being properly cared for, but at the same time I wouldn't want to see it locked away in a display case not being used for its intended purpose.

[lawnpotter]

Thanks Cyberthrasher.

Another bit of info. actually there are no scracthes that penatrated the surface. What i have are various dents and long thin impresessions. I made one with my finger nail to see how easy it was to do, it was easy.The leather seems tough but also soft at the same time. As I said, it is still very shinny, no marks penetrated the skin.

They are marks with some deeper and thicker than others.I am not sure if dent is a good word, maybe small dents.

Edited November 25, 2012 by lawnpotter

[JLSleather]

Is it in the leather, or the padding under the leather? Pretty tough to "dent" dry leather, but under that is probably masonite and some sort of padding.

[lawnpotter]

There is no padding. Just one peice of thick leather. I can access and see and feel both sides(outer and inner skin) The inner skin looks and feels perfect. It is a very thick sturdy piece of leather.

[HellfireJack]

Post a picture of it. You might just have to clean and brush it with a natural fiber brush.

No way to tell without seeing what it is.

[lawnpotter]

I will try to post a picture tommorow, but in the meantime, imagine pressing the end of your car key hard against a thick piece of car leather for a minute. It would probably leave an imprint and that is what it might look like.

they look something like the dent in this video except mine is a small breif case with thicker leather. I beleive the briefcase made constant pressure contact with a buckle on my guitar case.

[benlilly1]

Good video, lawnpotter!

[lawnpotter]

Leatherworker,

Thanks. that is just a random video i googled yesterday

[lawnpotter]

I meant to say your name as benlilly1.

Stupid me.

[KCrimini]

You might be able to lessen the appearance of these by coating the leather with saddle soap -- the inside, too, if you can. Then work it with your hands, bending and pushing it, you can work the surface out a little bit. It will probably never be perfect, but you can lessen the appearance doing this for sure.