benhuck Report post Posted November 23, 2017 Hi guys, I'm relatively new to leatherwork, and brand new to the forum, so I hope someone can help! I've only played around with a few belts until now, with modest success, but I stumbled upon a BEAUTIFUL guitar strap made by singer Johnny Fritz and I was hoping to do something similar. I have attached a picture. In particular, I noticed some linework that doesn't seem to be done with the usual beveler/backgrounder. I'm referring to the arrows near the middle, or the 3 little { shaped marks above the word Ezra. Even the letters of the name Ezra appear to be done by hand. It may well be that I'm just too inexperienced to know it, but I can't imagine doing this with the standard set of tools I have. It seems like it's more of an outline, an even trench tooled into the leather. The arrows, for example, don't appear to be raised or lowered, but simply flush with the surface of the leather, and the outline is uniformly indented. Any idea how this is achieved? Lastly, the colour on the letters is very clear, is that just painted on after antiquing? I hope someone can help! Thanks in advance. Ben Huckleberry, Adelaide, Australia. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mattsbagger Report post Posted November 23, 2017 It's a veiner. There are many different styles of them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benhuck Report post Posted November 23, 2017 Thanks matts, I have a couple of veiners, and I can see how a specific shape could do the { markings, but surely the straight lines on the arrow shafts aren't veiners? If so, I'd love to know how! Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mattsbagger Report post Posted November 23, 2017 Those looked carved with a swivel knife to me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark842 Report post Posted November 23, 2017 The straight lines and "EZRA" as well as the heart look like they were hand cut with a swivel knife. Same for the arrows. As for the colors...there is more than one way to skin that cat. I would use a paint like Angelus brand leather paints on the lettering first. Then use a resist over the lettering and then antique or dye. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benhuck Report post Posted November 23, 2017 Thanks for the help guys, you may be right. If it helps, I found a better example from his website. I love how it forms such a neat outline. Is he just cutting a 'V' into the leather? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benhuck Report post Posted November 23, 2017 Thanks guys! Just need to work on my cutting technique. Much appreciated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alpha2 Report post Posted November 23, 2017 First a Lucinda strap, now Margo Price! This forum is on point! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
