what is handmade?

[Ken Nelson]

LOL  Good One!

[chuck123wapati]

On 10/17/2019 at 5:52 PM, YinTx said:

This came in the mail.  Couldn't resist.

YinTx

Now I know!!! LOL 

[Frodo]

Hand made

A true,  Baby Grand

 

 

Edited October 30, 2019 by Frodo

[Studio-N]

oh boy, here we go. that's a loaded question kind of like

is leatherwork craft or art?  and.....go.

[JLSleather]

5 hours ago, nstarleather said:

So if you ask me to be pick between a "pro" using a machine and a hobbiest hand sewing, I'll pick the machine every day.  

Agreed.  WELL made is more important than "hand" made.

5 hours ago, nstarleather said:

There is absolutely no reason to call hand cutting better

Agreed again.  BETTER is better.  The METHOD is immaterial.  

But somebody just SHOOT ME if I ever even discuss (much less buy) a "hand crafted" piece of firewood, since I would clearly have lost the good sense to SHOOT MYSELF.

_____________________________

The VALUE in handmade (go on debate the definition without me) is that it's BETTER because INDIVIDUAL CARE was given to EACH ITEM.  I've heard people ignorant enough to say that you can tell it's "handmade" because of the FLAWS :@:!@!  WAIT.. WHAT.. ?@! 

• I would expect a "flaw" of a "misfeed" or crooked cut from an assembly line or row of presses stamping out 1000 parts per hour, with some unskilled person standig there to hit the "emerg" button when something blows. 
• I would NOT EXPECT FLAWS in the piece that somebody claims to be making ONE AT A TIME and with any skill at all.  In fact, [what is called] "handmade" is generally more expensive.  So the question must be asked, IF it's NOT BETTER, then WHY would I PAY MORE?@!

 

[Samalan]

I'm surprised no one got the answer that is generally when you lose your ass on it it's '' HAND MADE''

[Ken Nelson]

With  the right person doing the cutting with a clicker press, it is possible to do a good job of cutting pieces out of a side of leather.  However,  when a saddlemaker of high quality saddles, cuts parts for a saddle out,  if there is a hidden flaw in the leather, he will usually find it with his round knife.   I personally know several large saddle shops that cut nearly all their leather with a clicker press and they do a good job.  However,  the reason a lot of production saddles and tack are considered second or third rate by good cowboys and cowgirls on big ranches is because it becomes a contest to see how many parts can be cut from a side of leather instead of cutting the best part, out of the correct part of the hide..   Well built is the term that is important here and just a small short cut or two is the difference between a high quality saddle and a second or third rate saddle for a end user that will use it hard and test it's strength in the course of normal use for them. For the weekend pleasure rider or trail rider, what a cowboy would classify as a third rate saddle will work just fine for them.  As long as it does not sore their horse and doesn't fall of him, they are good to go.   BUT,  I have people order saddles from me that I figured were weekend trail riders that roped a lot of big, wild cattle in rough country and rode big stout broncy horses to do it on.  So I build all of them to stand a pretty tough test as I do not want to be responsible for someone getting seriously hurt or killed by one of my saddles failing. But that is just me.

[chuck123wapati]

8 hours ago, nstarleather said:

 I've found that for most people who get upset at others who use the term and call their goods "handmade" the line is just before the machine they haven't bough yet...Most professional leather workers are fine moving up to the next too to make things easier/faster/more consistent, be it a bell skiver, edge machine, burnishing machine, clicker, etc

 

I find also that folks that have moved up to machines to make it easier have also downplayed the term once they aren't doing what they once considered handmade. My intent isn't to spark argument or make anyone's methods wrong but to open conversation and possibly find a medium ground amongst all as to the definition. This video is hilarious, probably why its title is captioned comedy, satire. We all know that sub par products can be made just as easily and far faster by machine but quality wasn't the issue of my question. 

[chuck123wapati]

2 hours ago, Samalan said:

I'm surprised no one got the answer that is generally when you lose your ass on it it's '' HAND MADE''

Why would you say that? Is there some fact hidden that says machine made goods will always make a profit? But again quality wasn't the point of the original post. 

[Ken Nelson]

Good question North Star.  I think it may be easier to find if you cut the parts by hand because for one thing, most of us cut the leather damp and when you wet it, often defects will show up that don't on dry leather.   Some of those boys (and girls) that have a lot of experience can do a good job of cutting out saddle parts with a clicker.  I have been working with, or butchering-depending on who you ask,  for a very long time.  I don't have all the answers by any means but since the late 60's when I started ordering hand-carved belts,  Handmade  has been Quality #1.   Like I stated earlier,  I consider my work to be Custom-but in my opinion, if you are calling your work handmade and truely doing handmade leather items,  it should represent quality materials and workmanship.  Same is true with Custom work.  And all of us that are serious, strive to improve every time we turn on the lights in our shop.