Really Stupid Basic Question on Leather Types

[rodneywt1180b]

I have a customer who wants a leather wrap on a cane handle similar to the wrap shown here:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/529902819/walking-stick-377-pin-oak-with-raised

I think I can do a reasonable job on fitting the wrap but I need to know what type of leather is most appropriate for wrapping the grip.  I know veg tan is a good choice but I love the looks of oil tanned too.  Would that mold to the ridges like veg tan?  Also what weight would be best?  The handle is maybe 5 inches long and about 1 1/2 diameter.

Thanks for any advice you can give,

Rodney

 

[fredk]

Anything from about 1mm to about 2.5mm thick [3 to 6 oz ?] in veg tan. I would prefer to use veg tan for this, it can be oiled up or stained after moulding

Two ways;

1 / wet mould around handle, take off, trim excess leather, punch sewing/lacing holes, put back on and sew up

2 / Trim leather to size. sew/lace in place, wet mould after its in place [chance of shrinkage tho]

For the ridges; glue a length of thick thong or string around the handle of the stick for each ridge - wet mould over them. Then if you want to, remove the thongs/strings and glue into the now raised areas of the moulded handle before putting it back on, but leaving them on the stick will help with getting the grip back on exactly where it fitted afore

 

Edited November 2, 2017 by fredk

[rodneywt1180b]

That's exactly the info I needed.  Thank you very much Fred.  I'll most likely go with option 1, it sounds more friendly to a beginner.

I'll post a picture when the project is done.  It should be a good learning experience for me.

Thanks,

Rodney

[fredk]

Forgot to say; your stitches will be important visually. I'd use either a base-ball stitch or a hidden-end [under & over ends] X stitch

Edited November 2, 2017 by fredk

[rodneywt1180b]

Thank you.  I already ordered a small piece of 3 oz veg tan from The Leather Guy.  He looks like a good resource for the occasional small piece of random leather.  Now I'm waiting to hear from Egyptian Leather about what needles will be best w/ their  .8mm thread.

[rodneywt1180b]

The  Leather Guy didn't have any veg tan strap material.  From the looks of their inventory, veg tan isn't a major part of their business.  I ended up switching to black oil tan to match the strap material they did have.  Not a big deal.  Their service was  really good and I think they're a good place to go if all you need is a few small things like I did.  It just means I'm leaving the ridges out this time.  Being my first real leather project (as small as it is) it's probably a better idea to keep things simple anyway.

John at Egyptian Leather was really helpful too.  I'm pretty sure my needles and thread left the same day I ordered them.  They're already here and my leather will be here in another day or so.  I can't wait to get started.

[motocouture]

Good luck, and I’m curious to see how it goes!

[rodneywt1180b]

I got my leather from The Leather Guy yesterday.  Absolutely flawless piece to my untrained eye.  I'm very happy with it.

I should clear up one mistake on my part.  I bought from their Etsy store because I was already in Etsy, not through their actual website.  Their actual website has a much larger selection. 

[rodneywt1180b]

I completely butchered the black piece I bought.  I ended up buying a bigger piece of brown oil tanned instead.  The brown was a lot more pliable and forgiving than the first piece was.

Anyway, here's some really bad pictures of what I came up with.

Pretty ragged stitching. Cutting my lines could have went better too.  I don't think there are two stitches in line anywhere on it but as a first attempt I'm pretty happy with it.  I think there is a stitching chisel in my future.

 

[motocouture]

Thanks for sharing! I love the contrast of the leather with the natural wood. I wouldn’t stress too much about the stitching - I have no doubt that will improve with time, and a stitching chisel does wonders too