SD card case, what do I need?

[zuludog]

Well done for making something so soon, and with basic tools

Soon after I became interested in leatherwork I went on a beginners course, and it was very good, I probably learned as much in that course than many, many videos - there's nothing like talking to real people!

I have found this company in Brussells - NIYONA. They mostly sell finished goods but they also have training courses, from beginners to advanced

I made my scratch awl from an axle off my son's broken toy car, glued into an old file handle, and sharpened on an oilstone

I use a vegetable peeling knife as a leather trimming knife, but you will need to be able to get it very sharp

Here are some suppliers. You don't have to buy from them, but you will see the sort of things that are available. And as you watch videos and follow Threads on this forum you will learn more & more

www.leatherhouse.eu   www.goodsjapan.com   www.identityleathercraft.com  www.tandyleather.com www.abbeyengland.com

There are lots of videos about leather, but I think we all agree that two of the best channels are by Ian Atkinson and Nigel Armitage

Remember that the same techniques of planning, pattern making, sewing, burnishing, etc. are used on all leather items - bags, belts, pouches, & wallets

Edited August 26, 2019 by zuludog

[Tyra]

12 hours ago, battlemunky said:

For a first thing, that look awesome, especially considering you went at it with the bare minimums. Used leather, a fork, a nail....doesn't get much more pure than that  I'm glad that you liked it, now go get some good tools and start making things of beauty!

Thanks!  

One more question (SORRAY), do you think this a good leather to start with (I've read that Buttero is popular), for SD cases and/or wallets? https://www.rmleathersupply.com/collections/vegetable-tanned/products/buttero-veg-tanned-leather-3oz-1-2mm-made-in-italy?variant=13786028867693

I was thinking of buying 2Square feet as I should be able to get a couple of cases/wallets out of that I think? Or should I go for a single shoulder?

Also, should I split this leather or can I just keep the 1,2mm thickness? In other words, what is the most used thickness for projects like cases and wallets?

 

 

[Tyra]

2 hours ago, zuludog said:

Well done for making something so soon, and with basic tools

Soon after I became interested in leatherwork I went on a beginners course, and it was very good, I probably learned as much in that course than many, many videos - there's nothing like talking to real people!

I have found this company in Brussells - NIYONA. They mostly sell finished goods but they also have training courses, from beginners to advanced

I made my scratch awl from an axle off my son's broken toy car, glued into an old file handle, and sharpened on an oilstone

I use a vegetable peeling knife as a leather trimming knife, but you will need to be able to get it very sharp

Here are some suppliers. You don't have to buy from them, but you will see the sort of things that are available. And as you watch videos and follow Threads on this forum you will learn more & more

www.leatherhouse.eu   www.goodsjapan.com   www.identityleathercraft.com  www.tandyleather.com www.abbeyengland.com

There are lots of videos about leather, but I think we all agree that two of the best channels are by Ian Atkinson and Nigel Armitage

Remember that the same techniques of planning, pattern making, sewing, burnishing, etc. are used on all leather items - bags, belts, pouches, & wallets

Hey thanks a ton!

Thats actually not a bad idea. Definitely gonna look into this. Brussels isn't that far away!

Thanks for all the links! Still not sure where I'm going to buy from haha, choices choices choices

One more question (Asked @Battlemunky too, but can't hurt to get some more opinions!), do you think this a good leather to start with (I've read that Buttero is popular), for SD cases and/or wallets? https://www.rmleathersupply.com/collections/vegetable-tanned/products/buttero-veg-tanned-leather-3oz-1-2mm-made-in-italy?variant=13786028867693

I was thinking of buying 2Square feet as I should be able to get a couple of cases/wallets out of that I think? Or should I go for a single shoulder?

Also, should I split this leather or can I just keep the 1,2mm thickness? In other words, what is the most used thickness for projects like cases and wallets?

 

Thanks again for all the info!

[chrisash]

A Alternative is to buy a cheap far eastern set of tools from which you can make most things whilst you learn the skills, then add to it with better tools when you understand the shortcomming of the low cost ones, you can spend a lot buying say a french style pricking iron and break the prong the first time you use it , whilst the low cost one in the kit is slightly different but far stronger, both give really good results

With this kit below the only extra thing would be a good diamond awl to add to it

A shoulder of veg tan leather would give you loads of practice or on ebay you can buy scraps of veg tan to practice on at very low cost

see

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/61PC-Leather-Craft-Punch-Hand-Tools-Stitching-Carving-Working-Sewing-Thread/303095932416?hash=item4691ece600:g:EbAAAOSwPBJdY3bD

Good luck and Holland i understand has plenty of leather suppliers just like the UK, and there is a Tandy shop in Spain which will deliver in the EU look up tandyleather.eu

[zuludog]

TYRA - I make mostly knife sheaths and belts from 3 to 3,5mm thick vegetable tanned leather, and this would not be suitable for wallets. Not sure what I would use if I did want to make a wallet, so I would need to ask for advice as well, either here or from the supplier

I have heard that this is a reliable supplier of leather, though I haven't used them myself; they ship all over Europe  https://buyleatheronline.com

Use the Suppliers!  They will know their products, both tools and leather, (that's their job!) so contact them and ask their advice. For leather try leatherhouse and buyleatheronline

Have a look at this video - 'How to Make a Simple Hand Made Wallet' by Nigel Armitage  He discusses the thickness and types of leather, as well as making wallets

Edited August 26, 2019 by zuludog

[Tyra]

5 hours ago, chrisash said:

A Alternative is to buy a cheap far eastern set of tools from which you can make most things whilst you learn the skills, then add to it with better tools when you understand the shortcomming of the low cost ones, you can spend a lot buying say a french style pricking iron and break the prong the first time you use it , whilst the low cost one in the kit is slightly different but far stronger, both give really good results

With this kit below the only extra thing would be a good diamond awl to add to it

A shoulder of veg tan leather would give you loads of practice or on ebay you can buy scraps of veg tan to practice on at very low cost

see

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/61PC-Leather-Craft-Punch-Hand-Tools-Stitching-Carving-Working-Sewing-Thread/303095932416?hash=item4691ece600:g:EbAAAOSwPBJdY3bD

Good luck and Holland i understand has plenty of leather suppliers just like the UK, and there is a Tandy shop in Spain which will deliver in the EU look up tandyleather.eu

Ahhh I see! Thanks for all the info, gonna have a look later this evening! 

Holland is much more close to me, so that would be a great option indeed!

 

4 hours ago, zuludog said:

TYRA - I make mostly knife sheaths and belts from 3 to 3,5mm thick vegetable tanned leather, and this would not be suitable for wallets. Not sure what I would use if I did want to make a wallet, so I would need to ask for advice as well, either here or from the supplier

I have heard that this is a reliable supplier of leather, though I haven't used them myself; they ship all over Europe  https://buyleatheronline.com

Use the Suppliers!  They will know their products, both tools and leather, (that's their job!) so contact them and ask their advice. For leather try leatherhouse and buyleatheronline

Have a look at this video - 'How to Make a Simple Hand Made Wallet' by Nigel Armitage  He discusses the thickness and types of leather, as well as making wallets

I see! Did some more research myself and 2-3oz gets recommended a lot for wallets, so probably gonna go with the 3oz one as it doesn't need splitting. 

And thanks for the recommendation! Watching the video right now 

Edited August 26, 2019 by Tyra

[Hardrada]

For far Eastern, stick with goodsjapan.com. Do not buy Chinese: it's crap. I can see a bit of a point behind the logic of not wanting to invest heavily when you're either starting out or trying it out to see if you like it, but having a tool break right off the bat is utterly frustrating and can actually steer you away from the craft. goodsjapan.com has both good prices and good stuff that is made in Japan. I got a couple of Seiwa chisels from them and now I regret I didn't get the 3 mm ones from them too: they're very good quality. I'm about to order from them again, this time a Japanese-style skiving knife, a diamond awl, and the famous Tokonole burnishing agent.

Personally, I'd stay away from starter kits: in addition to poor quality if they're made in China, they come with a number of tools you'll probably never use. I did buy a sewing kit from Tandy (OK quality) and the pricking wheel sits forgotten in the case: I don't use it.

[Hardrada]

31 minutes ago, Tyra said:

Ahhh I see! Thanks for all the info, gonna have a look later this evening! 

Holland is much more close to me, so that would be a great option indeed!

 

I see! Did some more research myself and 2-3oz gets recommended a lot for wallets, so probably gonna go with the 3oz one as it doesn't need splitting. 

And thanks for the recommendation! Watching the video right now 

I found 3 oz to be too thick for wallets. You'll need to skive it. See for yourself: the wallet on the left is a prototype, so please ignore it; the one on the right was made with RML's Badalassi Minerva, 3 oz. You can see how thick it is with four layers: it's basically 12 oz: not easy to punch holes through. Next time, I'm thinking of ordering the same leather but split to 2 oz or even 1.5 oz. The good thing about RML is that they will split to your desired weight for free.

Edited August 26, 2019 by Hardrada

[battlemunky]

I use 3oz for wallets all the time. They are a bit bulkier but they will likely outlast the carrier of said wallet. I'd say 3 oz is fine but wouldn't go much over. Most leather in that range is either 2/3 oz or 3/4 oz. so if you can opt for it, 2/3 oz would maybe be better than 3/4 but in my opinion 3/4 would be fine. You likely won't be able to get just 3 oz or 2 oz or 4 oz, it'll have some variation.

That Buttero is beautiful but if you can score some closer or reasonably shipped remnants I'd opt for it.

[Tyra]

Hey, again, thanks for all the info Hardrada/battlemunky!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I've bought everything that I need (leather and tools)!

Going on a vacation now and everything should arrive next month. Can't wait!

 

Thanks for all the info everyone! Big help!