Messenger style leather backpack

[Aza404]

Hi guys,

After taking up leatherwork about 5 months ago, I'm now starting to get quite accustomed to making simple bags and small items like card holders and wallets.

I'm really quite pleased with the way my latest project turned out and wanted to share it here for critics and advice as to things that could be improved in future projects.

This is fully hand-made and hand-stitched from 2.3mm thick veg-tan leather (just under 6oz. leather) and 1mm synthetic thread. I used Fiebing's oil dye (walnut) on it as well as neatsfoot oil and gum trag for the burnishing.

The leather is very stiff on the sides (gussets?) and I'm hoping it will loosen up with time.

[bikermutt07]

Shoot, that's gorgeous. You sure you only been at this 5 months?

[garypl]

Looks great!  Can't see anything I would critique!

Gary

[kiwican]

nice and clean, well done

[plinkercases]

Very nice indeed and especially for having only been at it for 5 months.

Where did you get the closure hardware?

[Aza404]

Thanks guys for the comments

I'm really very flattered and humbled by them. I only used basic techniques that I learnt from reading this forum and watching a ton of tutorials on Youtube. I had bought hardware for this project from a specialized site online originally but, when I visited my local DIY store (Leroy Merlin in France), I fell in love with the mechanism there (it was 3 times cheaper then the one made for bags ironically).

I've also filmed the entire process if you want to watch that here: 

 

[bermudahwin]

The result is excellent.

I am interested in the hardware, you say its from Leroy Merlin. What would you call it in french please? I am due to France in a few weeks and would like to check it out.

Thanks

Harry

[Aza404]

9 minutes ago, hwinbermuda said:

I am interested in the hardware, you say its from Leroy Merlin. What would you call it in french please? I am due to France in a few weeks and would like to check it out.

Here you go: https://www.leroymerlin.fr/

It's our general store for all things construction work, tools and general equipment. I found the hardware in the chains / pulleys section along with the metal ring.

Here is the exact piece: https://www.leroymerlin.fr/v3/p/produits/porte-mousqueton-de-drisse-a-emerillon-tournant-en-inox-70-mm-e1400077754

Edited February 13, 2018 by Aza404

[bermudahwin]

Thank you so much,  Aza

I know and use Leroy Martin as a store, I had not seen the clasp; and thank you for the link

Harry