after watching your video I went straight to Tandy and bought one and I must say "why the neck didn't I get one of these long ago?" this tool is over looked by many but it's a game changer, thanks for the video
I would also be interested in a belt... These will be ver nice! Lovesd learning about this! My Dad used to work leather. HE is gone now a couple years! I may have to try my hand at it some. Chris
Very clear and very informative video... I want to make some bags and i want to use leather straps, but i dont have idea what kind of leather is the best to use how thick and etc. can u give me advice please. And where i can buy that cutting tool? Thank you
That's a real interesting method you are using. I'm sure I can make a tool like that. You have inspired me to collecting some tools for leather working. I will be looking to buy some jackets at thrift stores to cut up some time. I haven't found much need for anything, but maybe I'll start easy with some leather laces :) Thanks again for taking the time to share all this great information and technique, Harry!
Hi Harry. This could be a daft question, but as the silverline ruler is not as long as the leather, what do you do when you get to the end of it? Just move the ruler up/along? And if so is it easy to still maintain the straight edge? All the best Chris
Great video! Thanks for posting. Do you have any trouble with the pre-dyed leather bleeding or staining clothing? I've found that when I dye my own, it tends to rub off. I've tried applying an acrylic finish to prevent it, but that tends to stiffen and cause cracking. I wonder if quality, pre-dyed leather is a better alternative. Thanks, Harry!
Hi the leather should not bleed if its good quality....if you put too much dye on your own i find it does rub off a bit...depending on the application you can use some Snow Proof leather coating and that keeps dye rub off down...I use that for tool covers etc. otherwise try and get some good pre-dyed leather and it should be OK...good luck.
Great video, thank you for showing that tool. I've never seen one and I'm sure I can make one. When you say the shoulder is expensive, how much is it and where would one buy it?
Red Dickenson Red it depends on the thread ...I use a 2/0 UK needle with 0.8mm Ritza thread if that helps....you may want something heavier for holsters.
Hi Harry, Love the videos. I've made myself a tooled veg tanned leather belt but it has warped quite a bit from normal wear. Do you of any ways to prevent this?
Hi - do you know which part of the hide was used ....was it by any chance from around the lower portion of a side, just above the belly? The density of the leather can vary quite a bit around a hide and while it may look the same thickness, perhaps its less dense where its sagged? I wonder if you could restretch it by dampening...perhaps some other viewers might have thoughts on this - a real shame as it sound like you have a lovely tooled belt, and its great to make theses things yourself.
does your belt have a backing or is it just one layer, and if so how heavy? all the belts I tool and sell have a lighter weight backing on them and I use a thick poster board inbetween both layers to stiffen the belt, held together with contact cement then sewn as usual. I find this really helps with sagging and loosing shape over time. will also help keep the belt from stretching if you glue the poster board on before tooling. hope this will help you out a little bit, good luck.
does your belt have a backing or is it just one layer, and if so how heavy? all the belts I tool and sell have a lighter weight backing on them and I use a thick poster board inbetween both layers to stiffen the belt, held together with contact cement then sewn as usual. I find this really helps with sagging and loosing shape over time. will also help keep the belt from stretching if you glue the poster board on before tooling. hope this will help you out a little bit, good luck.
Hey Harry , do sell your belts on line. Or can some one buy one threw the mail? I would like to have one that says you made it and from England. Thanks. Let me know. Bob
Hi Bob - I will be putting some on line soon .....over the winter you will see Bucklehurst Leather appear! I take your interest as a great compliment - thanks.
Not at the moment Rodney but I may do some soon ....odd but its not so popular in the UK I think, but I really admire the work of Bruce Cheaney and others - its great
The price depends on the type of tannage, supplier, trade discount etc......if you are only after a single hide take a look at Tandy UK. Some of the leather I use costs a lot more because its hand curried and or oak bark tanned by specialist suppliers, but Tandy prices will give you an idea.
be nice to get up off the floor onto a table and then clamp the ruler and leather down for that first cut. easier, safer, better. then if you clamp the ends of the new straps you can just pull the cutter along.
I have cut over 2,000 straps with these, so they work for me. You do need to watch out for the blade ends becoming exposed, so fully tighten the blade both ends. In practice there is less risk with these versus a plough cutter.
