Well, Happy Xmas all!
My most recent audio journal posts were a fail because I may need to rewire my method of posting audio files. So until then--here's some of my work! Some final pieces will be coming soon. These photos are some experimental tests of new techniques with leather.
Many have asked me if I will produce a series of high-end collars and harnesses to go along with my handmade canes, and the answer is Yes! But I wanted to hit a whole new level of quality...Let me clarify that I mostly make these for dear friends in my local community or for that special partner in my life. Just to be extra clear, this is -not- a sales pitch, nor am I selling them here or trying to. I am a professional craftsman in and around my Game Dev career; I make things because I love to, and I love old school quality. I thought it would be nice to share here, now that I have this blog setup.
I spent a month sourcing the oldest and finest tanneries in the US & UK and looking at the highest quality English Bridal & Harness Leathers and the heaviest machined, solid brass hardware. I am beyond pleased with this recent shipment, the results of that effort. These leathers are nearly 1/4 inch thick, and the quality is absolutely insane. And thin and delicate others for the linings of collars. Will take more photos soon - the red is just spectacular! The Black & Red is a bit stiff, great for some parts. The English Tan is lovely and softer, and I can also get it in Black--I only like Vegetable Tan Leathers, btw.
Experimental Lining Method: This new process for seamlessly bonding 2 types of Leather into a single layer is working perfectly! Notice the rarely performed edge-finishing, a process usually reserved for expensive dress shoes or handbags. A worthwhile bit of effort, adding a huge amount of polish to the collar or harness and taking it to a whole new level of quality. Now I can produce a thick black bridal leather collar with a blue or red lining. Or a red collar w/ soft black or tan goatskin lining. And so on. Soft & extra classy!
I shot some video of several variations of this, red & black etc - but for the same reason as my audio files, I don't know how to embed the video (yet). I'm hoping the community team will be able to show me how to do this correctly.
Here I am testing out fancy dyed / burnished edge treatments and also being able to produce shapes w/ variable thickness. Note that the loop of leather has been shaved ("skived") thick on top and very thin around the bottom of the loop, producing this lovely shape to the piece. Quite pleasing and pro-looking.
The edges can be dyed anywhere from solid black to brown to blue or red, then burnished smooth & shiny with a lacquer substance so that they resemble the fancy soles on a dress shoe.
The Studs & rivets are actually special screws, made from solid brass - I like the Antique Brass finish the best. For contrast (it's a test, not a final piece!), I left the edges of the thin bands unfinished, unburnished, and not-bevelled - which is what you see on -most- leather goods. To me, that simple look is one of much lower quality. I far prefer the image above for edge style.
