How did you start leatherworking?

[Saul Gilsenan]

Hi folks. Really interested in all this leatherwork I'm seeing all over the site. There are some really stunning things people have crafted and it's really inspiring!

I was just wondering how you guys got started, what motivated you etc ?

Also if anyone could give me some tips on getting started I'd be really appreciative. What to buy and where from etc. How to tan leather perhaps? I'm not sure!

 

[Greg]

I'm lucky to have John Fenna (Full Member of this Forum) as a good friend and his leather work and general DIY gear has inspired me for a long time.

He lives down the road from me and he aloud me to use his workshop & instructed me on how to rehandle a knife..he then went onto show me how to make a leather sheath for it...sadly though thats as far as I have gone so far.


Good luck with any future projects you may have

 

[greensurfingbear]

I got started as I needed a new sheath for an old knife. I bought a bit if leather, thread, wax, needles and awl.

Now I've got a box of tools and making a lot more stuff. Mostly make for myself but get the odd commission from friends and family.

Currently working on a pouch




Orric

 

[Salaud]

Bought a sheath for an opinel...it fell to bits in less than a week, so, I got a book read up on it and made me own, since then I have made all sorts, sheaths, pouches, bracelets,belts,assault shovel cover!! anything you can think of mainly for me but have done a couple of sheaths for peeps and just done a pouch for an emberlit stove for Bigrich on here, Its addictive as hell..get stuck in! !!

 

[Dreadhead]

Was bed bound on and off for a couple if years and decided to take the time to learn something useful and ended up doing it full-time. There is a hell if a lot of inspiration on this forum to keep you going

 

[ozzy1977]

I was bored one day and decided that I wanted to make something so I made a sheath for an auger out of an old bag. Over the last couple of years I have made a few knife sheaths, axe masks and guards for my froes and drawknives.

 

[grey-array]

I saw the wonderfull work done by especially Lucky Lee, and Hamish halfgoat ( yes guys, you inspired me into this, like it or not)
And me being a having the craftbugs in every vein of me body, I had to have a go. I started out with home made tools, ( an awl made out of a piece of wood shaped into a handle with a nail in it which was way to bendy, then I swapped to a centre point which I filed to a sharp point ^^) The first Moot I ever went to, I decided to take a course from Eric Metheven, had a blast and a nice introduction into the craft by someone who knows his stuff.
and got my own set of tools 2 months after that, and since then making all sorts of little commissions and projects, even if I sometimes dont have the time to spare ^^

join in mate, its a great craft to get into
Yours sincerely Ruud

Ps plenty of lads wanting to lend you a hand here ^^ and it helps if there isnt a 30 mile channel of water between tehe people that would like to help you get up to speed XD

 

[Saul Gilsenan]

Wow fantastic responses thanks guys! I think I'll make a sheath for my opinel to start with.

I'd love to eventually be crafting some of the awesome pouches and satchels I've seen on here. I feel I'm in safe hands, so many motivated and inspired people here! Thanks

 

[crosslandkelly]

I needed an axe mask, so I thought I would have a go.
View attachment 23034

 

[Toadflax]

I'd been wanting to make a sheath, after seeing lots of the stuff on here, but ended up making a belt as the first thing, as my wife was insisting I bought a new leather belt and it seemed a good opportunity to try something. That would have been late 2009.

It's just gone on and on from there, with an online shop (http://www.theoldleatherworks.co.uk/) and Facebook following (https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Old-Leather-Works/182451398567540), and lots going on with local craft fairs and sales to friends and work colleagues. With working full time, I can barely keep up with demand.

My advice would be start small, read books and watch videos, read and post on forums (this and leatherworker.net are good) and keep trying. If you can sell a few items to cover the cost of tools and materials, so much the better.


Geoff

 

[blacktimberwolf]

I've been making things from leather since I was a teenager. I've always loved the stuff, the smell, the feel & of course like me, it's gets better with age. I 've also enjoyed learning about the different types of leather & tanning proccesses. I've never used specific leather working tools as for me, the challenge of making something with the everyday tools & utensils I have around me is half the fun.
Leather working can be addictive though......I can't stop making leather hats !!!!