Members Kerryanne Posted July 23, 2015 Author Members Report Posted July 23, 2015 I'll give you a call tomorrow! Quote
Members gmace99 Posted July 23, 2015 Members Report Posted July 23, 2015 cool Quote www.uksaddlery.com Saddlery training courses in Dunoon Scotland UK.
Moderator Art Posted July 23, 2015 Moderator Report Posted July 23, 2015 Kerryanne, Back in the days of yesteryear (1st Qtr 20th Century and before), leatherworkers were either in the harness business (you can lump saddles in here) or the shoe business. Tools were made for those trades, and a lot of tools crossed over. Bevelers were made in 0 to 8, but the 3 to 5 were the most common, and they were BIG, I have one #8 as a curiosity and it could be actively used as a router. Tandy and the few others tend to keep with the old standard, and they run BIG. They say (who the hell are they?), for 6 oz (2.4mm) leather you need to use a #3. Not so today except for harness or saddlework. For decorative and daily use objects, the #0 or #1 (old school) is usually better. New makers like Ron's or Barry King (US makers) tend to be a bit more realistic in sizing and even make edgers for 1 oz or 2 oz leather. Get a round bottom edger if you can, they are harder to sharpen but give a nicer edge. Also, Dixon edgers and C.S. Osborne edgers do not come sharp. but you have to learn to sharpen anyway (at least that's the way they see it, and what have apprentices got to do anyway?). Art Quote For heaven's sakes pilgrim, make yourself a strop!
Members Kerryanne Posted July 23, 2015 Author Members Report Posted July 23, 2015 Cheers very much Art, that's really interesting. I am currently trying to find a decent book - youtube can only get you so far and I don't want to bug the forum ever time I get confused I really need to learn more. Quote
Moderator Art Posted July 23, 2015 Moderator Report Posted July 23, 2015 Hi Kerryanne, Youtube is really pretty good. Ian Atkinson has quite a few good videos which I have used with the Boy Scouts. He also has about 4 pattern packs that are reasonably priced on his etsy page, although if he doesn't watch himself, a bunch of Cornwall comes through. Nigel Armitage has some very good instructional videos that show a lot of hand stitching among other things. There are some basic leathercraft books that Al Stohlman and a few others did for Tandy back in the day. They are good and you should be able to find them on eBay. Art Quote For heaven's sakes pilgrim, make yourself a strop!
Members Red Cent Posted July 24, 2015 Members Report Posted July 24, 2015 Being a little particular with the edge, I spend about 25-30 minutes with a block sander (220 grit) on a belt developing a very smooth rounded edge. That way when you burnish, the U shaped groove will touch all of it evenly. You will wind up with a nice symmetrical edge. I use a small rag to dampen the leather edge and a grinder converted to a burnisher. I use a #3 on about any thickness of leather. Quote https://www.facebook.com/redcentcustomleather?ref=bookmarks http://www.redcentcustomleather.com/
Members Kerryanne Posted July 25, 2015 Author Members Report Posted July 25, 2015 (edited) Thanks Red, your stuff looks lovely from your pic, thanks for the tip about sanding. Art, I have used a lot of Ian Atkinson tutorials he is really good. I wish I could have joined the Scouts and not the Brownies when I was a kid. I want to learn how to splice better and make decorative whipping, pretty sure they do that in the Scouts too. Edited July 25, 2015 by Kerryanne Quote
Moderator Art Posted July 25, 2015 Moderator Report Posted July 25, 2015 We only teach the "Basic Six" now, but they can go further if they want. You're a little old for Scouts, so pick up a copy of Bruce Grant's Encyclopedia of Rawhide and Leather Braiding used for 15 pounds or so and it has more in it than you could ever want. Art Quote For heaven's sakes pilgrim, make yourself a strop!
Members Kerryanne Posted July 30, 2015 Author Members Report Posted July 30, 2015 (edited) Had a brilliant day with George at his shop, wee legend that the man is. Edging is sorted, I just need some practice! Need to get better at handling a round knife, it's a lot harder than it looks and the only thing that's really given me trouble so far. Partner is now bugging me for a glasses case Edited July 30, 2015 by Kerryanne Quote
Members Oldtoolsniper Posted July 31, 2015 Members Report Posted July 31, 2015 Round knives are fun once you become comfortable with them and can get them freaky sharp. First thing I do is make a case for everyone I buy when it's ready to go back to work. I buy used ones and put them back in serviceable condition. The first thing it cuts is the leather for its new sheath. Just remember the the hand holding the leather NEVER EVER gets in the cutting path of that blade. Stop and rethink that cut if you feel compelled to put that other hand in front of that knife, dont do it even for a split second. My last knife mishap (not leather related) cost $33,000 for surgery, three permanently numb fingers, and three months of not being able to use my left hand. It happens in a split second of not thinking. Quote
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