Are there folks who want to learn more about leatherwork?

[Rossr]

So I guess Im mostly just curios, I occasionally get a message about basic leather working or how to start etc. Always happy to respond and share what I know where I can. So how many of you that kick around down here in the basement leather form have:

1. A interest in learning how to do some leather work?
2. What would you want to learn to make?
3. How would you want to learn, online, reading, in person?


Again just thinking about this while i drink my coffee and look out the window at the below zero temps!

Best
Ross

[Jeffinn]

So I guess Im mostly just curios, I occasionally get a message about basic leather working or how to start etc. Always happy to respond and share what I know where I can. So how many of you that kick around down here in the basement leather form have:

1. A interest in learning how to do some leather work?
2. What would you want to learn to make?
3. How would you want to learn, online, reading, in person?


Again just thinking about this while i drink my coffee and look out the window at the below zero temps!

Best
Ross

Good morning Ross,
It’s a balmy 27 degrees here today, Michigan is having a slight warming trend.
I’ve been learning as much as I can about leather work online. Currently working on leather sheaths.
I purchased the first Paul Long DVD on making pouch style sheaths, it’s well worth the money paid.
I’ve done a couple of inlaid sheaths so far, one with snakeskin and one with alligator hide. I’m stitching by hand using the saddle stitch.
I’m looking to start embellishing my sheaths with some stamping. Stamping leather with a variety of stamps can really add some style to a blank piece of leather. You can get a little lost in all of the stamps that are available but that’s part of the fun! I’ve purchased 8-10 stamps and I’ve started practicing on some leather scraps.
I buy all of my leather in its natural color and then dye it to the color I’m looking for. They dying process up is pretty straight forward but the final finishing process has a variety of possibilities. Hand rubbing the final leather product seems to produce a fairly decent sheen. But Ive also tried a few finishing products. Fiebings Resolene works well as does Tan Kote. But to me they almost seem a bit too glossy so I only use them occasionally. I may use them more once I get more involved in the whole stamping process. Do you use anything special as a final finish on your sheaths?
Jeff

[Rossr]

So I guess Im mostly just curios, I occasionally get a message about basic leather working or how to start etc. Always happy to respond and share what I know where I can. So how many of you that kick around down here in the basement leather form have:

1. A interest in learning how to do some leather work?
2. What would you want to learn to make?
3. How would you want to learn, online, reading, in person?


Again just thinking about this while i drink my coffee and look out the window at the below zero temps!

Best
Ross

Good morning Ross,
It’s a balmy 27 degrees here today, Michigan is having a slight warming trend.
I’ve been learning as much as I can about leather work online. Currently working on leather sheaths.
I purchased the first Paul Long DVD on making pouch style sheaths, it’s well worth the money paid.
I’ve done a couple of inlaid sheaths so far, one with snakeskin and one with alligator hide. I’m stitching by hand using the saddle stitch.
I’m looking to start embellishing my sheaths with some stamping. Stamping leather with a variety of stamps can really add some style to a blank piece of leather. You can get a little lost in all of the stamps that are available but that’s part of the fun! I’ve purchased 8-10 stamps and I’ve started practicing on some leather scraps.
I buy all of my leather in its natural color and then dye it to the color I’m looking for. They dying process up is pretty straight forward but the final finishing process has a variety of possibilities. Hand rubbing the final leather product seems to produce a fairly decent sheen. But Ive also tried a few finishing products. Fiebings Resolene works well as does Tan Kote. But to me they almost seem a bit too glossy so I only use them occasionally. I may use them more once I get more involved in the whole stamping process. Do you use anything special as a final finish on your sheaths?
Jeff

Jeff,

So similar to my journey to where I am at currently with my sheath work. Anyway in regards to finish, I have tried all you mentioned over the years. I currently am down to just using either Pecards leather dressing or lately Skidmores, I don"t get a high sheen or gloss but I tend to do a quick buff with a rag or a brush and I am happy with the result. Im more concerned about protection then sheen. That said I always am on the look out for better methods. Tan kote I have the least experience with and its been a while. I have some because I keep meaning to try some antique finish work and tan kote can be used as a resist from what I have read.

Anyhow I poked around about who might be interested in leather work learning because I have thought about doing some form of get together or class maybe Not really sure so more just seeing what interest there may be out there.

Ross

[ta50gear]

Even though I've been making leather sheaths for my knives for quite sometime now I'm always interested in learning how to improve, especially what type of leather makes the best sheaths.

[Rossr]

Even though I've been making leather sheaths for my knives for quite sometime now I'm always interested in learning how to improve, especially what type of leather makes the best sheaths.

I have always used veg tan leather for all my sheaths. I do line them with deer skin or thin veg tan also. I use wickets and Craig skirting leather which is dyed already but u can still tool and mold it if needed.

Ross

[ta50gear]

Thanks for the reply, I had a hunch veg. tanned leather was the ticket. I can get decent sized scraps from a place called the leather guy for a pretty reasonable price. These are pieces perfect for making sheaths. One more question, any particiluar thickness?

[Rossr]

Thanks for the reply, I had a hunch veg. tanned leather was the ticket. I can get decent sized scraps from a place called the leather guy for a pretty reasonable price. These are pieces perfect for making sheaths. One more question, any particiluar thickness?

I prefer 7 to 8 ounce for sheaths. I do usually line my sheaths though I find thinner to be to rhin. Imo. Lot depends on how big a knife etc too.

Ross

[ta50gear]

I've never heard of lining sheaths but when you think about it it makes sense, I've had too many knives that began to corrode while being kept in a sheath.

[OLDE CUTLER]

I've never heard of lining sheaths but when you think about it it makes sense, I've had too many knives that began to corrode while being kept in a sheath.

Having a lining is not going to prevent that, since the lining is also leather. Knives should never be stored in leather sheaths.

[Rossr]

I've never heard of lining sheaths but when you think about it it makes sense, I've had too many knives that began to corrode while being kept in a sheath.

Having a lining is not going to prevent that, since the lining is also leather. Knives should never be stored in leather sheaths.

Agree with this regardless of what the leather is sheaths can hold moisture causing issues at times. I picked up lining them with Deer skin from Paul longs video series on sheath making. Gives them a nice look and holds the knife in the sheath well without wet molding.

R

[Rossr]

Example of a lined sheath. you can see the liner leather rolled over at the top

Ross

[ta50gear]

"I see," said the blind man when he picked up his hammer and saw.

[ta50gear]

I am, especially what type of leathers work the best for small pouches and sheaths. I've been piddling around for quite a long time now making stuff in leather although it's pretty crude compared to some of the examples I've seen, still...I like the looks of a leather sheath over a nylon one any day.

[Rossr]

I am, especially what type of leathers work the best for small pouches and sheaths. I've been piddling around for quite a long time now making stuff in leather although it's pretty crude compared to some of the examples I've seen, still...I like the looks of a leather sheath over a nylon one any day.

Veg tan leather is what I use . I have come to use wickett and craig skirting leather https://wickett-craig.com/leathers/skirting/ I use this because it can still be wet molded, tooled carved etc. The benefit is it is already dyed a color which for me saves me the cost and time of dying leather. That said nothing wrong with dying natural veg tan.

For the pouch sheath above I used a 7 to 8 ounce piece of leather. Plus a welt. I skive the edges down so the total thickness ends up Im guessing around 14 to 16 ounces at least. Inside the above sheath I lined it with deer skin. I have also used thin like 2 to 3 ounce veg tan to line sheaths usually for a bowie style sheath rather than a pouch fold over type.

As far as pouches Im guessing you mean for pocket knives I also use veg tan for that.

I do avoid upholstery leathers and pull up leathers they are too pliable and cant be wet molded or tolled etc. I will use exotic leathers at times for inlays like snake skin as an example.

You tube is a wealth of info on leather and sheath making videos. Many options. Ian Atkinson, Don Gonzales, Nigel Armitage. Don has some specific sheath videos not sure on the others but all three have a wealth of videos on leather working and how to do things.

Paul Long is a master sheath maker He has a video series for purchase online. I learned a lot from them and recommend them. I dont know Paul personally nor am I trying to sell anything !

There is also a leather forum online with lots of helpful folks Leatherworker.net

Ok that is the short version. With some basic hand tools and some time you can for sure turn out really nice work imo.

Hope that helps

Ross

[ta50gear]

Wow! thanks for the info, especially the kind and weight of the leather. Your posting is going to help me a lot, thanks!

[Rossr]

Wow! thanks for the info, especially the kind and weight of the leather. Your posting is going to help me a lot, thanks!

You are welcome. Happy to share what I know. So many have helped me over the years. Just remember there are lots of ways to get a result these are what work for me. I try to keep learning and improving and sharing knowledge helps for sure.

Best

Ross