Any leather workers willing to help me with a few quesions?
Gonna place an order to get started making some basic things as another hobby.
Just have a few questions I would like to propose to someone more knowledgeable than myself.
10 years to retirement! Just waiting!
October 14, 2020, 08:47 PM
amals
What do you need to know? I did a lot of leather work many years ago.
October 14, 2020, 08:56 PM
OttoSig
Looking for suggestions on where to purchase supplies and tools from.
Better quality brand recommendations, etc.
10 years to retirement! Just waiting!
October 14, 2020, 09:00 PM
klstclair
Hi OttoSig, I have been researching this and collecting tools, supplies and knowledge for leather working myself.
I have found a couple of places to start with the research and am still in the finding stuff over time phase.
For a broad look at the topic, tool reviews and techniques that have helped me to start collecting what I need, I have used Nigel Armitage's site for tool recommendations and his monthly Vimeo subscription for insights into the process and picking up supplies. Nigel also has a new book releasing October 28, 2020 called "Leathercraft: Traditional Handcrafted Leatherwork Skills and Projects".
For high-end on-line training, Peter Nitz has an annual course of tutorials that can be subscribed to monthly or annually. Peter also has a forum on his site with some beginner tool recommendations.
I will be interested in the responses you get to this thread.
Thanks, KevinThis message has been edited. Last edited by: klstclair,
October 14, 2020, 09:15 PM
AKSuperDually
Watching also....I just place several orders for a couple grand worth of tools and materials for a startup I'm in the process of standing up.
I made purchases on amazon, Springfield leatherworks, and in the process with buckeye engraving. I've been finding good info on leatherworker.net
I was just in the finishing stages of logo design...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "The trouble with our Liberal friends...is not that they're ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so." Ronald Reagan, 1964 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Arguing with some people is like playing chess with a pigeon. It doesn't matter how good I am at chess, the pigeon will just take a shit on the board, strut around knocking over all the pieces and act like it won.. and in some cases it will insult you at the same time." DevlDogs55, 2014 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
October 14, 2020, 09:20 PM
amals
Sorry, not up on current suppliers. Thought your questions might have to do with leather work. I will say, though, C.S. Osborne was the go-to brand when I was working in leather. They still make quality tools. S-T Leather in St. Louis was one of our suppliers. They are still in business. You'd have to compare prices, though.
October 14, 2020, 10:06 PM
bronsht
You could also check
Sinabroks Rocky Mountain Leather Sy The Buckle Guy Japan leather working tools
On YouTube, search for Weaver Leather, Springfield Leather, Bruce Cheaney, Don Gonzalez Saddlery, Makers Leather Supply. There are more but that's all I can recall right this moment. Tandy Leather has good videos on Youtube as well as on their own website.
CS Osborne makes a lot of tools that other companies sell. IF you see a CS Osborne tool it's good to go.
If you are near a Tandy Leather, they have closed their classroom, but go in and ask them anyway to show you how to do something.
EDIT to add: Order a free paper catalog from Springfield Leather. It has a lot of good info that will be beneficial to you, not just the items for sale. Call them or order one on their website.
Tandy does not do a paper catalog anymore, you have to go online.
Rocky Mountain Leather Supply - great selection of high quality leathers split to your desired thickness, high quality tools, thick punch pads, fantastic customer service.
Okada tools - [Japanese supplier] Beautiful hammers, weights and scissors.
As far as in the united states the ones I use the most are Rocky Mountain Leather Buckle Guy Weaver Leather Springfield Leather And I still grab an occasional item from Tandy Leather though it is mostly strap and skiving blades.
For non-USA Abbey England (their Sam Browne studs are the best I've found) Linton Leather Goods Japan
When I started out 5 years ago I used a set of Tandy Leather punches for about 6 months before getting 2 sets of Kyoshin Elle Diamond prickling Irons in 3mm and 4mm. I used those for over 2 years before getting a set of KS Blade Punch prickling irons and inverse irons in 3.85mm.
I use the 3.85mm irons 95% of the time with either .8mm Poly thread or .77mm Linen.
If your in Seoul they have a Leather District. I remember reading about it on reddit a few years ago and wishing I could go there.
As far a recommendations, if you can swing the price of the KS blade punches I can't recommend them enough. Although I will say that I wish the diamond punch version was available when I got my prickling irons. The prickling irons will go all the way through up to about 10oz but the diamond punches leave a bit bigger whole making it easier to pull the needles through plus I like the look it gives the stitching a little better.
For the most part I'll put an expensive version of a tool like a 1-1/2" strap punch because i use it all the time for belts but I also have a $20 set from amazon that has everything from 3/8" up to 1-1/2".
A set of corner punches is also one of the best investments I made, I feel like it make a huge difference in the overall quality/appearance of my work.
And this is just my preference but I don't use an edge groover to mark my stitch lines. I know that it is supposed to help protect the thread from abrasion by it laying below the surface of the leather but I just don't like them. I use a set of C.S. Osbourne wing dividers to mark all of my stitch lines.
the go to resource for leatherworking. I couldnt find it but they used to have a first responder program wich included military I believe. worth looking into
