Leatherworking Tips and Resources
Leather working is one of my interests and on this page I'm collecting information on basic leather working techniques and sources of leather, tools, and further information.
Traveler's leather kitchen knife roll
Upcoming events
- February 17-19, 2011 SouthWest Leatherworkers Trade Show, Wickenberg AZ. Sponsored by Leather Crafters Journal (888) 289-6409
- May 19-21, 2011 18th Rocky Mountain Leather Trade Show, Sheridan WY. Sponsored by Leather Crafters Journal (888) 289-6409
- June 24-26, 2011 Brian Lebel's 2011 Old West Show & Auction
Articles moved over to my Leatherworking pages
- Burnishing the Edges
- Conditioning and Preserving Leather
- Where Leather Gets It's Strength
- Defects in Vegetable Tanned Leather
- Sources of Leather, Tools and Supplies
- Leather Artists and Artisans
Hardening leather
Marc Carlson on making Cuir Bouille (hardened leather)
This article describes a process for waterproofing and hardening leather by applying melted beeswax (careful - highly flammable) to leather held over a steaming kettle.
Hand sewing leather
International Internet Leathercrafters' Guild
"Our aim is to bring leatherworkers together through the Internet, and to promote the art and craft of leatherwork with the exchange of information, patterns, and tips, while encouraging fellowship. We hope you will join us to promote leatherworking education throughout the world."
Carry on luggage size
Acceptable maximum size seems to be 8 x 16 x 20 (or L + W + H <= 45 inches) or more conservatively use "multiples of seven" (i.e., no bigger than 7 x 14 x 21 inches).
Identifying Leather
Wet a piece and then stamp a mark into it. If the mark has a crisp impression afterward, the leather is vegetable tanned. If the impression is just discernable, it is chrome tanned.
An easy way to test whether leather is 100% vegetable tanned is to drop a small strip of the leather into boiling water (be careful). If it is 100% vegetable tanned it will instantly shrink and curl up like a worm. If it doesn't other tanning agents have been used in tanning the leather.
If the leather is a chalky white color, it is probably alum tanned.
Chrome tanned, undyed leather is a pearl grey with a faintly bluish tint. Dyed chrome tanned leather often retains a grey blue or white center core. Beware of chrome tanned leather for knife sheaths - it can corrode the metals.
See SkinDeep - The biannual Newsletter from J. Hewit & Sons Ltd. for good articles on leather manufacture, particularly bookbinders leather.
Period Leather - an article on period leather types, identifying, and tanning.
Tags: Leatherworking - Supplies - Tools