A few simple Leatherworking questions.

[woodsman]

Hi All,

I have been considering getting involved in leather work for a while now, one of those
things I've just not got around to, but I think it's about time...

I have a few very simple questions :

How do you get freehand design into the leather?

Is it just a case of stenciling on the design, wetting the leather and then going over
the lines with a stylus and mallet ?
Is it better/easier to carve ?
Do you do your dyeing before or after ?

Thanks,
Steve.

[Tony1948]

Hi Woodsman,you'll need a swivel knife and blade to do free hand leather work,you do the dyeing after you do you'r design.You can get all the tools you need on ebuy under leathercraft963196329633I use stamps on most of my sheaths,all got off ebuy.Atb.............TONY.

[biker-bri]

Check out Tandy's youtube vids loads of how to's
Bri

[Adam Savage]

Not sure if it's the same at all their stores, but Rymans sell swivel knives here, and for around £4, which is a pretty decent price.

There are three methods you can use. Carving with a knife (swivel or otherwise), embossing with narrow objects and pressure (either mallet, or clamp), or pyrology (burning shapes into the surface)
You can get some great results either way.
My advice is to check out the Tandy videos, as Bri points out, and then just experiment with some small pieces. :)

[biker-bri]

I can give you some kind of demo at the meetup at denbigh, or sooner if I can hang my hammock in your garden :wink:
Bri