First few hours of Leatherwork

[bikermutt07]

51 minutes ago, ShadowShaman said:

Thanks again for your advice and encouragement guys, here my second attempt seems to have much better stitching, I will continue to practice stitching then when I am more consistent I intend to try a couple of wallets and belts.

Big improvement already. When you finish off your stitches, try to guide the extra ones right on top of the others. It takes a little finesse (and I'll admit I'm not great yet either) but will make everything look a little more even. Looks like you are already tapping them flat.

Keep up the good work.

[Brianm77]

The only thing I see that may help and has not been mentioned, are the lines left by what you are using to aid in pulling out your chisel.  One thing that helps with that is polishing your chisels. Some say to rub some beeswax on your chisel, I don't see any difference with wax. One thing that I have started doing is pulling out of the scrap underneath first this use as little pressure as possible. Sometimes set the strip between the chisel and the edge, it is less noticeable out there. 

Hope that helps,

Brian

[alpha2]

Don't worry about the wooden spoon, when you get a proper slicker, you'll find it's exactly the same wood as your spoon! 

It looks like your stamp bounced in the second attempt. It happens. Try to keep a firm downward pressure on the stamp while striking.

[cjartist]

2 hours ago, alpha2 said:

Don't worry about the wooden spoon, when you get a proper slicker, you'll find it's exactly the same wood as your spoon! 

It looks like your stamp bounced in the second attempt. It happens. Try to keep a firm downward pressure on the stamp while striking.

Yes, and I think your casing is not quite right.  Looks like you are either too dry, so no compression, or too wet so the impression relaxes again.

You are doing great though.  Keep at it.