Buying my first piece of leather in UK - advice please

[toxo]

Got cut off somehow. Just wanted to say I daresay they will post, give them a ring. They're usually busy but always helpful.

[MarkCdub]

If you put a piece of metal (knife, stitching chisel, etc.) Into a wet piece of leather to wet form it I recommend wrapping it in plastic cling wrap or something to protect the metal from moisture.  I did not do that and had rust forming on the items fairly quickly (within 24 hrs).

When burnishing edges, there are nearly as many ways to burnish as there is leatherworkers, one thing to remember is that you don't have to use excessive force when slicking the edges, the back and forth motion of the burnisher will build up plenty of heat.  Excessive pressure will cause your edge to "mushroom" and that is another issue to deal with especially at the tail end of a project.  If you want the edges rounded, you will need an edge beveler and there are many brands and sizes depending on how thick your project is and how much of the edge you want to remove before burnishing.  The most helpful thing is that you sand the edges as smooth as possible and to the profile you want before burnishing.  Wetting the edge with water can be sufficient to get the initial burnishing.  You can always lightly sand with very fine grit at this point if the edge isn't to your liking.  Then let the edge dry and use a mixture of your prefered edge "wax"/protectant to finish off.  Many people use a piece of heavy canvas with the wax as their final burnishing medium and the point is to lightly burnish where speed is what heats up the leather and was to help it absorb into the edgebetter.

Edited September 16, 2019 by MarkCdub

[steamcsgogrizzly]

For a first leather I would, and did, select a 2 to 2.5mm leather. Its a good all rounder and you can thin it if necessary. So that would be the 026

I've dealt with Le Prevo for about 20 years. I've not dealt with any others mainly as none would send to me in N.I.

Email or phone Jan or Stu at Le Prevo. Tell them what you want to make ask for their advice & suggestion. They will help you choose

** be aware that Le Prevo prices need 20% VAT added plus a delivery charge & 20% VAT on that too

PS. Look in Le Prevo's Clearance Offers. There might be some cheap-ish leather there.

[stormcrow]

On 6/23/2019 at 11:59 AM, Allotment17 said:

Looking at the Le Provo site in their natural veg-tan section, would this also be the right sort of thing? (a bit cheaper!).

This may or may not be of some use to you but all of the following are done with Le Prevo’s 1.8mm shoulder with the exception of the bifolds the outer is 1.8mm the inners are with le Prevo’s veg Tan Goat.

All except one dyed with Feibings dyes

 

[tsunkasapa]

[Northmount]

4 minutes ago, tsunkasapa said:

You got it 2 minutes before I flagged it and blocked them from posting.