Leathercraft Masterclass

[niakulah]

Anyone bought or subscribed to any of these courses?

https://www.leathercraftmasterclass.com/online-courses

The content description and their Instagram looks compelling but the price is a bit high, 30 pounds per video. So I thought I'd check here if anyone has bought any and what they think of it? Is it worth the money?

[howie696]

You can find all that on youtube for free

 

[zuludog]

I've had a look at the link, and I agree with howie696. There is all the information you need on YouTube, though you won't be spoon fed, you'll have to watch quite a few videos to pick it up. Last I checked, there are about 12 pages on leatherwork, each with about 20 videos, so there's plenty to go at. Just use the Search box to narrow it down to what you want

Nigel Armitage & Ian Atkinson/Leodis Leather are good. Also Jacklore; he does mostly knife making, but has a couple of good ones on sheaths, and the techniques can be applied to other leatherwork

Videos may be on techniques, like saddle stitch, skiving, or setting rivets; or items, like a wallet, a knife sheath, or a belt; but watch them all. Even if you have no intention of ever making a possibles bag, the same sort of methods & techniques will be used for other things

If you were thinking of spending that sort of money, spend it on some decent tools instead

Edited August 25, 2018 by zuludog

[LetterT]

In addition Nigel Armitage has a channel at Vimeo for subscribers where he goes into some detail about different techniques, shares tips and in general provides good instruction. Very well worth it. Considering his subscription is just 3 pounds per month of access for just one video of what you saw you can have 10 months of subscription with Nigel. You can take a look at what he covers on the following link:

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/armitageleather

[niakulah]

Thanks for all the replies. Yup I've seen most of Nigel's YouTube  videos. And I've been subscribed to his Vimeo channel for a few months as well, and I can really see how much more valuable it is than his free YouTube videos.
 

The good experience I've had with Nigel's paid Vimeo channel is one of the reasons I'm interested in Leather Masterclass. If Nigel's YouTube videos are good and his Vimeo channel is great, would I have a similar experience with Leather Masterclass? I guess that's the real question I'm looking to get answered.

Hopefully there is someone on here who has paid for the course who can chime in.

 

[terryHHI]

Hi niakulah,

I’ve watched countless free YouTube videos.  You Tube videos got me started with leatherworking. Like you, I subscribe to Nigel’s  videos and have learned from them. 

I started subscribing to Leather Masterclass last week.  I’ve watched the stitching, blade work and edges part 1 videos. Leather Masterclass instructor, Philip Jury is a great teacher. He explains the processes he uses, he explains alternatives, and his videos are well produced.  I like the videos and I’m learning information and techniques I haven’t found elsewhere.  

For me, both subscriptions are worth the investment. Let me know if you have any questions. 

[terryHHI]

Your question made me think of another site I’m looking forward to watching and learning from. Equus Leather, Charlie and Dawn Trevor, have several great videos on You Tube.  They have a Kickstarter going to raise money to film the making of a wood framed attaché case.  If you pledge money, you get access to a private Instagram account showing the filming and build process and other incentives depending on how much money you pledge. 

I’m excited to watch the construction of the attaché. 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/equusleather/equus-leather-film-step-into-our-workshop

 

[niakulah]

On 8/26/2018 at 7:18 PM, terryHHI said:

Hi niakulah,

I’ve watched countless free YouTube videos.  You Tube videos got me started with leatherworking. Like you, I subscribe to Nigel’s  videos and have learned from them. 

I started subscribing to Leather Masterclass last week.  I’ve watched the stitching, blade work and edges part 1 videos. Leather Masterclass instructor, Philip Jury is a great teacher. He explains the processes he uses, he explains alternatives, and his videos are well produced.  I like the videos and I’m learning information and techniques I haven’t found elsewhere.  

For me, both subscriptions are worth the investment. Let me know if you have any questions. 

Thank you very much for the feedback! I didn't realise he had a subscription as well! Cheaper (initially) than buying the videos outright, especially if I'm not sure of the quality of the content.

Yes I also realized he does a few things in ways I've never seen before. His awl pinky strap for example.

 

[LeathercraftMasterclass]

Hello guys!

I appreciate the enquiry Naikulah, and thank you Terry, I'm glad you are getting value from the courses!

I have a workshop in Kent, England where I own Finch England. I am a full time leather goods maker specialising in custom work for individuals and a few London based retailers. I also provide personal workshop training one to one.

I started the Leathercraft Masterclass earlier this year as I was receiving a lot of messages from people on Instagram saying that they would love to come and train with me but they live on the other side of the world. Thus the idea was born to create video courses that people can watch the world over.

The courses are based on what isn't currently available on Youtube or from other makers. 

From the makers that have been mentioned in this thread, it appears that they specialise almost exclusively in vegetable tanned leather and rugged leather goods. I do work with vegtan and bridle hide (I live near a tannery producing it!) but I also work with many different European chrome tanned leathers and exotic skins, so my work is not quite the same in that sense.

I'd say 60% of the students who come to my workshop are there to learn how to make handbags, design patterns, install leather linings, zippers, rolled handles, enchapes, interlinings and reinforcements etc, so I specialise in a different style to many youtube based makers.

As for cost, well the value of something is very subjective! personally I don't see the value in a $300 damascus and fossilised walrus testicle handled skiving knife, but that doesn't mean it's not worth the price, it's just not worth it - to me!  Of all the great skiving knives I own, I always reach for my re-shaped carbon steel putty knife! After heat treating that sucker, there's nothing that flexes to skive thin soft skins quite like it! - all for £6

If someone buys one of my videos and what they learn helps them to create a higher grade of leather goods, improve their confidence and create more sales, then they will have received great value. On the flip side someone might buy the video for £29.99 and think 'nah, not into that fancy stuff - I want to make riveted axe sheathes', they on the other hand will receive poor value! (Yes the £9.99/mo subscription is a lot better value).

If you guys have any questions, feel free to ask away and I'll try and get back to you as quick as I can.

Talking of free, I also have a Youtube channel. So here's a free video on back stitching neatly (you may already know it):

 

 

[kiwican]

Good answer