Ok....what Do I Need To Get Started Doing Leatherwork?

[mcdanielCFL]

Hi there, My name is Tim McDaniel and you have guessed correctly. I am new to this stuff. What do I need to do the SCA stuff and Guns and Knife Sheaths. I do some leather work with Scissors and brass rivets. Please help me out. Oh please, help me out.

Thanks,

Tim McDaniel

[Dwight]

Tim, . . . most leather workers I deal with are pretty much "self" taught. By that, I mean that they have purchased a couple of say "Al Stohlman" books, maybe the Bianchi video series, or taken a couple of classes at a Tandy shop.

They then take what they are shown and run with it.

Leather work is far more akin to having a picture and a 20 pound bag of Lego blocks than it is a recipe for fudge and a kitchen to make it in. There simply are no "recipes" in leather works, . . . just more or less a compass pointing in a general direction, . . . you have to figure out how to get around whatever obstacles jump up.

If you happen to be one of those people that believe there should be a school for every thing, a precise recipe, a perfect trip route, etc, . . . then basket weaving or snake handling will be better for you than leather work.

I haven't the foggiest notion of what SCA stuff is, . . . hope it isn't contagious

If you are going to do knife sheaths, belts, holsters etc, . . . the first thing you will need to learn to do is make patterns. If you can make a good pattern, . . . you can make a good product. If your patterns are less than optimal, . . . well, we both know where that will wind up.

Start in holsters with a simple pancake, . . . go to gun shops and inspect them hanging in their plastic bags on the wall. Look at how that craftsperson put it together. Then go look at Al Stohlman's holster book, see how he showed making one similar.

Knife sheaths are the same way. You can also get some good tips and ideas at flea markets and yard sales. Buy a holster or two that you might like, or a knife sheath, . . . take it home, . . . use a razor knife to cut the stitches, . . . tear it apart, . . . see how that other guy made it. Then in YOUR mind, . . . figure out the steps needed to make it. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE VARIATIONS, . . .

DON'T make the fatal mistake many do starting out in leather work, . . . buying cheap leather scraps, . . . bargain hides, etc. Buy good leather, . . . and resign youself that you WILL throw away a couple hundred bucks worth of leather learning how to do this stuff.

Tools? Start out buying ONLY what you need for THIS project. There are tons of "kits" out there, . . . most have tools that will never be used again, or couldn't be sold any other way. As you move up, . . . your tool inventory will increase, . . . you will know what you have, . . . you will know how it works, . . . and you will know how to use it.

Finally, . . . don't be afraid to ask questions here, . . . most of these folks are of the Southern "good old boy" cut, and are more than willing to help out.

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited January 17, 2013 by Dwight

[mcdanielCFL]

Thank you Dwight.

And no, I don't need a class for everything. I love to create, I love to think about what it will look like in the end.

The SCA is the Society for Creative Anacronism, or the Club were everybody dresses up in they're famous medieval costumes. We have craftsmen like leather workers, Blacksmiths, Bards, Fighters (leather stuff") Armorers, just like the Middle ages. I would like to make armor. That is just me, and bags for toting money and other valuables. And hats, the big floppy kinds.

Again, Thank you Dwight, your input was Helpful.

[Dwight]

I made my own armor for my "Centurion of Capernaum" alter ego, . . . sandals, skirt, lined a steel helmet, made a shield, . . . if the Romans ever resurrect the 6th Legion of Megiddo, . . . I'll be ready

Sounds like you are in with a bunch of fun people. I'm gonna dabble a bit in some blacksmithing (hopefully) beginning this spring, . . . can't find a hawk I like, . . . can't find a knife I like, . . . just figgered I'd up and make one.

FWIW, . . . gimme a holler if you get stumped or whatever, . . . take a look at my website www.dwightsgunleather.com and you can see some of the stuff I do, . . .

May God bless,

Dwight