TBCS Leather Crafters?

[Mach]

Anyone dabble in leather crafting? I need some advice on stretching exotics to a wooden form. What forums do leather crafters hang out in?

Thanks! :)

[Kayin]

Been a decade of summers since I did any leather, but to my remembrance it was hot and wet when I stretched it, and it dried to shape.

[Mach]

Is there anything that you haven't done Kayin? :) Heat and water seem to be the consistent themes from my online searching but since this is a $60 hide, I'd like some affirmation before I get carried away. The boot making forums seem to be the best source of experience so far.

[Kayin]

Precious little. Growing up poor, as well as being half Miccosukee Seminole gives a lot of opportunity for learning, as well as the fact that I've tried a bit of everything. In the event of apocalypse, I plan on raising my own civilization.

[billygoat333]

i dabbled in leatherworking when I was 13, (think I earned the merit badge in boy scouts lol we made wallets) but I dont remember anything other than using water a lot. ;)

[Drum Thumper]

LOL. I saw this post on my RSS feed and was going to tell whoever the OP was to talk to Mach.

That said, is this a finished hide? I'm guessing as much due to the dollar amount. I remember back in my youth tanning a few rabbit hides, and steaming them (for lack of a better term) over a kettle of boiling water while trying to 'break soft'.

Edit: Haven't googled it yet, but if there are any 'Mountain Man' or SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) forums, that might be a good source too.

[Mach]

I plan on raising my own civilization
After fighting traffic this evening, this sounds like utopia. :)


we made wallets
I think that I did the same with vegetable tanned tooling leather that laced up the side and you engraved your name in them?


is this a finished hide?

Yup finished. Its a stingray hide that I picked up when I was in Bangkok. It looks like its chrome tanned (garment leather). Not a lot of folks know or work with stingray tho.

Rabbit skins :). Brings back memories. I've worked with buckskin before and done the mountain man thing too. If this was vegetable tanned leather or a cured hide, its pretty easy as they work well with wetting and stretching.

[blueonblack]

Mach, you're insane, you know that, right? I only point it out as I think it good information to have. You can thank me later.

[Mach]

uh-huh, but as the saying goes, its only a problem if you don't know you have a problem. :)

[Kayin]

Mach, if you have stingray hide, you're now cooler than me.

I now have to think of something to top that.

Give me a few hours.

[Mach]

I now have to think of something to top that.

:D:D:D I think this one right here is what you're looking for

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20996