new guy Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 hi im making a knife (my first) and i want ot know where i can get leather and some heavy snaps for the sheath and maybe rivets. where can i get theese for cheap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.w.s. Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 You're probably not going to find it all that cheap. If you want to do it right, it's best to spend the extra money on the proper equipment. Hole punches, stitch punches, sewing awl, blades, rubber mallet, edging tools, rivet setters, glue, waxed thread, leather surface cleaner, dye, resoline or top kote for finish, rivets, snaps, plus leather. I've been doing leather work for 16 years and there's always a quick way to do it and then there's the right way to do it. Leather is an unforgiving medium, it doesn't heal, it shows every misplaced cut, scuff and spill - this is also why leather is wonderful in the way it ages. I have been buying some 6-7oz bellies for about $22 at the Leather Factory. Check and see if there's one in your area. Bellies are about as cheap as you're going to get, scrap leather will often not suit the job and full sides will run you $150 and up for quality. You can also join the wholesale club or the get business prices if you have an ein which will bring your cost down nicely. Good luck, leather is a fun medium but it does take a little practice and well thought out ideas. Also, try making your pattern first on a piece of poster board, will save you frustration! -J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 You can also shop Tandy but be prepared to pay for it. Still, if you're only doing one or two it's often better to pay a premium for just what you need rather than get a good deal on way more than you need. An awl is something you should be able to forge without trouble and I like a saddle stitch. While it's not ideal, edges can be sanded but any tooling you want to do will require the tools, bought or made. Leather's fun, enjoy. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new guy Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 i have the sewing bits but i need the leather and rivets and snaps. so i really should have asked where i could fit those. sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Messerist Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Try Tandy leatherTandy Leather Factory - Home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 One tool that's almost a must to buy is a marker wheel for thread holes. I think it may be called a "star" wheel (?), but British Knife Forum has a great thread for leather tools you can make cheap and plentiful. They are made, primarily from heavy nails. To make the thread holes, I just chuck a small finish nail with the head ground off in a drill press. It more or less burns through, but makes a very clean hole. Bottom line: Don't scrimp on leather but you can acquire a bunch of leather tools "on the cheap" by making your own :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new guy Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 awesome sites and the leather is hard to find in new england i was not sure what to do. thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new guy Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 is heavy (7-9oz) rawhide ok for a sheath or is that overkill? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I would go with leather. Rawhide won't hold up to the elements as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian C. Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Try a shoe repair shop. Many of them do lots of leather repairs & such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveh Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 If you came to my shoe repair shop I could fix you up,probably a little too far too travel though.I'm sure,like Brian said,a shoe repair is a good bet if the cobbler isn't too grumpy.Kinda of thought that might be from the glue fumes??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don A Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Here's a few you might try:Brettuns Village Leather - Great leather at low cost!Welcome to Kentucky Leather and HideWickett & Craig of America - Worlds Finest Veg-Tan Leathers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new guy Posted March 27, 2009 Author Share Posted March 27, 2009 (edited) i removed the old post of this cuz the wife shot down the scrap and i got 6sqft of bellies at the tandy lehter co. i hope itl come asap. Edited March 27, 2009 by new guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new guy Posted March 29, 2009 Author Share Posted March 29, 2009 hey can i use heavy duty nylon thread for the stitching? or must i use rawhide or waxed cotton? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.w.s. Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I would get the waxed thread made for the job. Believe it or not, you could pull a cloth style heavy duty thread hard enough that it will tear into the leather. Wax acts as a lubricant when pulling the thread through, plus it helps keep it in place and locks the stitch in place when sewing your next stitch. I would also recommend a stitching awl just for the fact that doing a lock stitch is going to be much stronger for an initial stitch around the piece. You can always do a whip stitch afterwards if you desire the aesthetic look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking-sword Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Another source for almost everything a leatherworker may need( and I almost hate to mention it) is e-bay. You could concievably outfit yourself very well for very little if your not objectionable to this site as many are these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.w.s. Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Google Shopping is a nice tool for finding things as well and it includes those dreaded ebay listings. Plus you can sort by price etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new guy Posted March 29, 2009 Author Share Posted March 29, 2009 looks like i need some wax cotton thread oh well thats all i need (my wife conveniently has a large bit of sewing gear :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new guy Posted April 2, 2009 Author Share Posted April 2, 2009 i just got the leather i made a cell phone and knife case (my store bought folder). now i just need to make a knife that is meant to be in a sheath. (i made a kithchen knife for my wife. as a note heavy shoe leather is a good polishing medium for blades endges and just the sides.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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