All things leatherworking

[freekforge]

I've been getting pretty deep into working with leather lately so I figured I'd get a thread going for anyone else that is a leatherworker or wants to learn to show off their projects, ask and answer questions or whatever. Or if you have gool leather products made by someone else let's see em.

Here's some stuff I've done.

 

[DadSmith]

Freekforge Henry Scabbard he made for me.
I gave this to my son for Christmas. He had a big smile on his face.


Freekforge 1911 Lined Holster.

 

[freekforge]

Got a machine for Christmas that I'm still figuring out. I have it running halfway decent now I just need to learn more about machine sewing. Had a few minutes to spare today so I knocked out a glock mag pouch from some scrap leather in a third of the time it takes me to hand stitch one.

 

[Frosty]

I’m no leather worker, I’ve stitched together a leather sheath for a knife I made and gave to my son, nothing fancy, and I use Leather on my kydex sheaths for belt loops, but decorative carvings and stamping are way pant skill level!

 

[freekforge]

I’m no leather worker, I’ve stitched together a leather sheath for a knife I made and gave to my son, nothing fancy, and I use Leather on my kydex sheaths for belt loops, but decorative carvings and stamping are way pant skill level!

I still struggle with the floral stuff. Geometric stamping is getting easier, quality stamps really help out. I think a nice border stamp is what makes geometric stamps really pop I used a camo tool on dadsmiths holster but used a 7 seed border stamp on mine and I really prefer the look of the 7 seed. Once I realized it's all about the lay out I started getting better.

 

[mom45]

My dad has done some amazing pieces. He had a stroke in 2015 that has taken away his ability to do the leather carving, but I will post a few pictures of things he has done in the past. My son has done a little of this trying to learn from Grandpa, but hasn't worked with it since he left for Europe in 2016 to pursue his dream of painting murals and doing other art projects. These are large pieces that would hang above your sofa.

 

[mom45]

These are the two that I have from my dad. The first is a smaller version of the other one posted above. It was based on a picture in a book my mom has...I always loved the picture as a kid and requested the carving. The one of the deer was my wedding gift.

 

[Creedmoor]

Got a machine for Christmas that I'm still figuring out. I have it running halfway decent now I just need to learn more about machine sewing. Had a few minutes to spare today so I knocked out a glock mag pouch from some scrap leather in a third of the time it takes me to hand stitch one.

lol. A few short weeks ago..
Machines were The Devil.


What Machine did you get?

 

[Frosty]

View attachment 248203
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Those are amazing mom!

 

[freekforge]

@mom45 those are incredible.

@Creedmoor Its just one of the Chinese leather shoe patchers. It's nice learning on a cheap Amazon special and not the singer of my dad's. I've been messing with the singer a little bit I just have to pull it apart and get it into my basement which I might do today. I think I'll always prefer a saddle stitch for holsters but the machines will let me branch out more. The nice thing about the shoe patchers is I can toss it in the truck and take it anywhere. My wife's grandpa is already finding stuff he needs fixed be it patching his chinks or tack repair so that's pretty convenient.

 

[freekforge]

Finished my mag pouch. When I was finishing the edges I brushed on some tokonole cream on it then let it completely soak in and dry before I burnished it and it gave a great edge finish.

 

[mom45]

Finished my mag pouch. When I was finishing the edges I brushed on some tokonole cream on it then let it completely soak in and dry before I burnished it and it gave a great edge finish.

Do you ever use beeswax on the edges? I am pretty sure that is what dad used on all of his holsters and sewn items. I know he used it when working on saddles. I really wish I had spent more time with him out in the shop.

 

[freekforge]

Do you ever use beeswax on the edges? I am pretty sure that is what dad used on all of his holsters and sewn items. I know he used it when working on saddles. I really wish I had spent more time with him out in the shop.

I do sometimes just depends on the project. If I leave the leather natural I do like beeswax. With beeswax if I get a little sloppy I feel like it's a harder fix than the burnishing creams where I can just rub it with a magic eraser. I also use saddle soap and water on some stuff. My dad only used water and beeswax when he was doing leather work.

 

[freekforge]

Got the singer down in the basement. I didn't turn on my work lights so excuse the dark picture. The machine is a singer 211w151 don't know the max thread size but I know it can take 138 thread. Read where a guy had 207 in one and it ran fine but others said not to. I want to get into bag making so this will be great. Have the smallest pulley they made for it according to dad and it's still stupid fast. I see a servo setup in it's future. Gonna start deep cleaning it tomorrow after work.

 

[Mij]

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Got the singer down in the basement. I didn't turn on my work lights so excuse the dark picture. The machine is a singer 211w151 don't know the max thread size but I know it can take 138 thread. Read where a guy had 207 in one and it ran fine but others said not to. I want to get into bag making so this will be great. Have the smallest pulley they made for it according to dad and it's still stupid fast. I see a servo setup in it's future. Gonna start deep cleaning it tomorrow after work.

Mr. Forge sir: What are you’re thoughts on garment tanned hair on deer hides? ie; can they be used for anything you do? Or, could you make a deer hide vest? Anything you may say about them would be of interest to me. I have one I had tanned some years ago. Still good, it’s across the back of a chair out in the office room.

 

[freekforge]

Mr. Forge sir: What are you’re thoughts on garment tanned hair on deer hides? ie; can they be used for anything you do? Or, could you make a deer hide vest? Anything you may say about them would be of interest to me. I have one I had tanned some years ago. Still good, it’s across the back of a chair out in the office room.

I made my oldest a little bag from some hair on cowhide. Next non gun related project will probably be a hair on cowhide clutch for my wife. Also done some draw string bags with imitation buckskin cowhide.

 

[freekforge]

Here's the Chinese leather shoe patchers. Like I said before I have it sewing pretty decent after some tinkering. Still need to make a thread tower for it. Seen plenty of guys sewing almost 1/2" of veg tan but mine won't have it. I can go up to about 12oz and that's it but that's fine for the smaller stuff. I have different needles coming for it and am planning on making a new presser foot.

 

[freekforge]

Got the belting for the singer in yesterday but didn't have time to cut it down to size since I spent all day down at Riley with the youngest (she was given a clean bill of health btw). Will get it cut and put on tonight and go through and oil everything. The belt it has on it now is stretched a bit and I have no more adjustment in the motor so a new one is definitely needed.

 

[freekforge]

Since Mij posted his picture here's the ingo challenge coin sheath I did for him.

 

[Mij]

Since Mij posted his picture here's the ingo challenge coin sheath I did for him. View attachment 248890

I will add: This holster exceeds my expectations, you can’t see it from this side but it is form fitted, the knife locks in like a quality gun holster. It will outlive me. The knife is absolutely held securely in place. It rides comfortably and has the proper cant for easy quick one hand use. Colors are an option, I choose this because it matches my EDC holsters. Left hand and right hand are also options, so it won’t interfere with you’re strong side side arm.