New guy needs help

[valknutleather]

Alright man I'll check em out thanks. 

So here is version 2. Turned out alot better but this leather WILL NOT burnish. 

[bikermutt07]

Being from hobby lobby there is no telling what it might be. I have a grab bag from them that I bought in the beginning, I can't do anything with. It's just junk.

Let's look at straightening out those stitches a bit.

Do you have a straight edge or ruler?

Use this with a common razor knife and the will straighten up those edges.

Then (since you don't have the wing divider) use your straight edge and something to get a crease line going. That crease will help get those stitch lines a lot straighter. Get creative with things around the house/shed. You need something that will create a little friction. 

If I didn't have the divider I would use my plastic slicker/bone folder. But you can use a lot if things as a substitute.

Sharpen up the back end of a toothbrush or maybe try an old credit card edge, or even the spine of an old comb. Any hard plastic edge will do.

Here is a picture of a crease line I did with my bone folder. If you can get your edges straight and then put this line around your edge with ant of the household items above your stuff will improve dramatically.

Like I said, get creative. And don't get discouraged. My first two wallet type items didn't fit anything in them.

Keep having fun.

[Halitech]

The best thing is you are here, you are asking questions and you are trying to learn. That will help you a lot down the road.

Probably the reason you are having an issue with burnishing is because the leather you are using is probably chrome tanned which will not absorb water/gum trag/etc so you can't burnish it. The black you are using looks like some lamb that I have here. It's great for a liner and even for making a complete wallet interior but you have to get creative with the edges.  Even thin veg tanned can be a challenge to burnish properly.

A suggestion for your stitching, use a straight edge and "mark" a line by pressing into the leather a bit. Then go to the kitchen and grab a fork. Yes you read that right, a fork. Press the tines into the leather to mark where each stitch hole should be. It won't be as accurate as stitching irons or an over stitch wheel but will be closer then eyeballing it.

[JLSleather]

You are correct... that leather is never going to burnish.  

Again... don't be swayed by the BS put out by most "leather supply" stores (and many who post here, who are often simply repeating what someone said without any real knowledge of their own).

I've seen $1 needle nose pliers in teh "leather supply" stores.. they called 'em "lacing pliers" and priced at $6.  The difference between the one at the auto part store and the leather supply store?  About half a mile. Otherwise identical.

• small needle nose pliers - lacing, sewing, other
• wing divider - scribes guide lines and marks stitch spacing
• utility knife - straight cuts (I use this one http://www.harborfreight.com/folding-lock-back-utility-knife-62156.html )
• x-acto knife (i LOVE that #11) -- curves and corner cuts
• straight edge (I have one that was "supposed to" be for drywall, 6' long, aluminum doesn't stain the leather, works great)
• small square - 12" or so for the smaller cuts http://www.harborfreight.com/8-in-x-12-in-carpenters-square-69363.html

Harbor Freight is about everywhere, and they have all the above. Honesly, for those small projects, I like the see-through triangle templates at HobbyLobby... got a ruler right on there and you can see the leather under it ('tween us,.. that's where i get the x--acto too).

If you're making these little wallets, see my cutesy site.  You can get these "bits" for less than a small fortune without buying the cow, as they say.  I'm not a leather "supplier", nor do I intend to be. These are there for exactly this situation.  Good quality Hermann Oak leather, just what a guy needs, reasonably priced.  I do this because it helps leather crafters.  If someone was to see the listings, and "undercut" my price by offering the same thing at lower cost, that's EVEN BETTER for leathercrafters, and I applaud it!  https://www.etsy.com/shop/JLSleather?ref=hdr_shop_menu&section_id=19129422

Most of the patterns I think are on web site for free, so if you find leather you like to use, feel free to download the pattern any time you like!

 

 

[CaptQuirk]

@JLSleather- The additional cost for "Leather specific tools" isn't new. Back when I was doing videography, you would find places selling cheap tripods, lens filters, etc., and by adding "HD" (For High Def), they would almost double the price. Of course, the stuff was the exact same stuff used with standard def cameras, and had absolutely nothing to do with the video definition. All just a trick to lure the cash out of the pockets of the novices.

[JLSleather]

Uhhhh... tha's what I said.

 

[valknutleather]

Bikermutt: I'm going to use that credit card idea and a straight edge that's pretty ingenious.I tried using a tack puller to create my line but it didn't work out so well. 

 

JLS I will definitely check out your etsy store and thanks for the tips. Just to clarify what I'm using for stitching is a 3 prong punch and a speedy stich awl. 

[bikermutt07]

Don't dismiss that fork idea either. That's downright genius. I didn't know jls had bits of leather to be had. So, I got to learn something too.

I love this place.

Edited August 28, 2016 by bikermutt07

[valknutleather]

So what type of leather should I be trying to get? Hermann oak? Craftsman? I'd like to make a few knife sheaths as well. The wallet was me just messing around and trying to get creative with what I have. 

[Halitech]

toss the speedy stitcher and get some proper needles and go watch nigel armitage saddle stitch on youtube.

 

If you want to tool or stamp, your only option is veg tanned. The others won't absorb water so you can't tool them. Far as brand, if tandy is close, get the mid grade stuff from them since you are starting out. If not, see who is close or check the companies above and see what the shipping is like to you