Flip Flops Tutorial

[fks1]

Thank You! I want to try this 

[Reegesc]

On 11/22/2016 at 2:07 PM, fks1 said:

Thank You! I want to try this 

Holler if you have any questions.  Happy to help.

[Reegesc]

Mini Rant

Isn't it odd there isn't a unique term for those persons who are skilled in working with leather as generalists instead of specialists?     It's an esteemed occupation that has been around for thousands of years but the best we could come up with is "Leather Worker"?   That's the sort of temporary title that is used until a permanent, more discrernable title is invented like how "Computer Worker" became "Data Entry Operator" or "Programmer" and so on.   It's also the sort o term to denote the lower skilled class of workers  like "Farm Worker" versus the "Farmer" and "Factory Worker" versus "Factory Foreman".  There's tailors, blacksmiths, jewelers, bankers, grocers, bakers, chefs, teachers, herders, writers, artists.....and  leather workers?      I doesn't make sense.    Leathercrafter doesn't cut it either.   I mean crafts is what you do in elementary school, isn't it?   To be fair there are Cordwainers, Cobblers, Saddlers, Tanners, Currier, Booteliers, Girdlers, Lorimers, Malemakers, Shoemakers, Thongers, but everyone else is just a Leather Worker, not a Leathersmith, Leatherschmidt, , or Leathermeister.  

Personally I think it should be an occupation title that doesn't even include the word "leather".  Instead it should be a a unique word  that is only used for this line of work like Tailors instead of Cloth Workers, Chefs instead of Food Workers, heck even Escorts instead of Sex Workers..   Pontiers, Marlanes, Ceptuns, Tauthaffens, Fletchmores, Spuras.

 I dunno...just seems odd.   

Repost

Be that as it may, here's a repost from the  Show Off Section -- proof that if you can figure out how to make a pair of flip flops, there's no reason you can't also make shoes if you're so inclined.     I had never made a pair of Flip Flops until ust a few months prior to writing this tutorial and just figured it out by taking a pair of flops apart. Two years later I made these boots completely by trial and error, first progressing to sandals, then to shoes, now boots.   And the thing is after....geez how long has it been anyway?  Hold on I'll look it up....   Wow., 12 years as hobbyist and I still suck as a "Leather Worker".    Seriously, I should be a lot better at it than I am after 12 years.   The point is anyone with average, or in my case mediocre leather working skills can do this too.

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A surprise Welcome Home gift for a buddy returning from his fourth tour in Afghanistan -- two with the Marines and last two as a Security Contractor.    He says the pay is better but the duty is a lot more dangerous nowadays.  So these are his good luck boots -- he returns for a fifth tour in eight weeks.

The boots were made using the "Stichdown" method and are modified from my regular Chukka Boot pattern (last pic -- also a recent pair) with a higher top, exterior toe cap, and some tooling.   The treaded rubber soles are also handmade from conveyor belt rubber.  I didn't to take a pic but I carved the tread with lightening bolts on the front half of the soles  and the Marine's "RECON Seal" in the heels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Reegesc]

Having said I was going to make a Sandal Making tutorial and never did you shouldn't put too much faith in this pronouncement either, but I hope to make a shoe/boot making tutorial this Spring.   Been thinking about it a lot and have a lot of ideas to do something really cool and really helpful.   Something that will belie my mediocre leather skills.  I'm far better at showmanship.  Stay tuned.

Edited February 5, 2017 by cseeger
spelling and grammar/ When did we start having to explain why we are editing a post?

[Grey Drakkon]

Well, "leatherer" just sounds weird.

 

And oh yeah, you totally suck at this whole leatherworking thing.   Do you even see your stuff?  

[bikermutt07]

How about hidesmith, or skinwright?

[Reegesc]

On 2/7/2017 at 2:51 PM, Grey Drakkon said:

Well, "leatherer" just sounds weird.

 

And oh yeah, you totally suck at this whole leatherworking thing.   Do you even see your stuff?  

 

Well bust my buttons, if aint the one and only  Grey the friendly Drakkon.   You are too kind with the compliments Grey, too kind indeed.   Yeah," Leatherer " does sound weird.   But I do like both of Bikermutt's suggestions.   Hidesmith in particularly, although I think i would spell it Hidesmythe, or Hydesmith.  It doesn't matter as long as you can derive the shorthand nickname Smithee.  Love that name.      

 

So where the heck you been?   We  have all missed your  therapeutic dog cussings.     I stopped by your profile room a month or so ago it  said you haven't been around since school let out last year.      I figured you probably went Pro with your Poker Game and was doing the Rounders Circuit.       I stopped by because I have something to send you and now I will.  I think I still have an address.  If not I'll PM you.  Welcome back.

[MonicaJacobson]

BTW, @cseeger -- your boots have come a long way in what, eight months? Keep it up! I don't have the inclination myself at the moment, but I'm impressed with anyone who does.

[Grey Drakkon]

I could waste space here on what I've been doing, but I think I'll just waste some space in the "show off" thread instead.   

[Reegesc]

It's like you never left...