Freezing cold temperatures for weeks on end and no pressing chores with this old house gave me a chance to cut out a dozen new projects.
Leatherwork; Fresh Start
Tag: leather
Leatherwork is Timeless
I’m dedicating the next few weeks to my small leatherwork business. When I’m making things with my hands and simple tools, I feel a real connection with our ancestors. It’s nice to get lost in the projects and learn new techniques along the way. When I’m away from this portion of my world it seems that there is a lag when restarting as the hands and mind relearn their movements and the order of things.
Hopefully, I’ll be able to restock the Etsy store with some exciting goods while the weather is cold. I’m looking forward to spring and the time to get out into the wild to gather materials and supplies from nature; a much overlooked time-consumer for the primitive technology teacher. And just maybe, we’ll be able to gather together again soon to share our skills and camaraderie of our community.
In the mean time, keep well and keep on making.
Prototyping a New Belt Pouch
I’m calling this one the Ranger Bag –
It takes a lot of work to prototype a new bag design. To get just the right shape and proportion, find the right materials, and choose the appropriate construction technique is a big deal; especially if it’s going to be done well.
I wanted something that looked like it appeared out of the preindustrial world of the 18th century or before. As an archery person, I think I take my personal style from the “what would Robin Hood wear?” collection. But honestly, this one owes much of its design to the military belt pouches of the early musket days.
What do I plan to use it for you ask? I wanted something that would accommodate a few essentials including a fire kit, compass, notebook, spoon, whetstone and the like.
So if you follow along here you have seen several bags just like this one posted in the past year and so far, they have sold like hotcakes, as they say. It is a popular shape, size, and design so I think this will become a mainstay in my shop.
It is a very adaptable design as well and could be fitted with internal pockets, a wrist strap or d-rings and become a clutch purse or removable backpack pocket in its own right.
It’s always nice when plans actually work.
A Touch of Color
Colored saddle thread was on sale at my supplier last month so, guess what? I’m going to try it out on some upcoming projects and see what the reception is. Nothing too flashy, just a bit of red, yellow, or blue on the horizon.
Hunter’s Pouch
Kentucky Hunter’s Pouch –
Few words are needed to show this project. It is a Kentucky Hunter style pouch of a style popular throughout the 17th and 18th centuries in America. Its antecedents come from Britain and mainland Europe but changed with the times as North America was colonized.
In the days before the common man had trouser pockets he still had a fair few things to carry, especially while out foraging in the forest. Men and women have carried some sort of bag to hold their essentials for as long as we have supplemented our inadequate selves with tools. Things such as food, fire making supplies, sewing kit, or ammunition.
The poor man’s hunting pouch is essentially a single pocket bag with one or more internal pockets to separate out the smaller items.
I chose some bark tanned elk from Joe Brandl as it is sturdy but with a very soft feel.
When using real linen, I often soak it overnight in a hot cup of tea before drying and waxing. This gives a nice reddish-brown color.
The body is sewn with a welt to create a tight seam and edging is added to stiffen the pocket and flap.
The inside pocket makes small items accessible that might otherwise be lost in the bottom of the bag. When shooting black powder, this pocket is a must.
People have been adding fringe, ruffles, and other decorations to seams and edges for as long as there have been makers.
This type of bag is designed to stay closed without any fastener but it is good to have a way to really secure the flap when traveling. This simple closure is a type that I like for a rustic bag. The toggle is carved from antler and is secured by a simple loop.
Finally, a shoulder strap is added. This one is 7 oz. veg tanned cowhide and adjusts by more than 12 inches. This will accommodate most people but more importantly will adjust with the seasons as heavier or lighter clothes are worn. The buckle is solid brass and will never rust.
This bag and others are available in my Etsy shop linked here:
Sandals
This post came from looking through a few class photos from Rabbitstick several years ago based on an inquiry. This is one of the years I taught my favorite sandal design, an ancient one though still cleverly marketed as a modern style.
I call them saint sandals as they look like something you would see on a medieval depiction of some holy wanderer from Europe or the Middle East. To me, these are the greatest sandals I have ever owned.
This design is a good introduction to leather working and specifically, making footwear, which can be a bit more complex than most people know. Shoes really need to fit well in order to not cause pain or damage to the feet so an open design is a good way to start on this craft.
As I make them, the sewing is fairly minimal and can be eliminated entirely with the use Barge Cement. The sewing makes them a stronger design and I think adds a sense if beauty and craftsmanship to the final product. It is also a good introduction to double needle saddle stitching.
With a little dedication, these can be made in a long half day and are ready for use immediately.
Thank you to all the patient students who have learned this and taken home to teach others. I look forward to this class each time I offer it.
Traveler’s Wallet
Once again, I am producing some large, traveler’s wallets. While some are waiting their finishing touches, here’s the first of six. They are all of the same general size and design but each has some variation in shape and closure type.
I think my dying is improving. Having read more on the subject, I’ve been able to create a nice overall finish. The dye is applied in many diluted layers and hand rubbed to force it into the leather.
The leather is from a 6 – 7 ounce vegetable tanned cowhide that was a real beauty. The side was just shy of 30 square feet. To start working the nine foot long hide, I had to move my operation into the kitchen and onto the floor for initial cuts. Maybe someday I’ll have a shop table big enough to accommodate something this size again.
This wallet is perfect for keeping everything in one place for log term travel or to be used as a small clutch purse.
The thread is heavyweight bookbinder’s linen in dark gray (nearly black) so is absolutely period correct for the reenactors out there.
If you are interested in this or some of our other work, check out our Etsy shop, look at the previous sales, and read the reviews.
Have a great day!
Large Possibles Bag
Another possibles bag completed and out the door. This one was designed, at the request of a customer, to fit a specific case that would fit inside. This is clearly my favorite “go to” design and will make an excellent bushcrafter’s kit.
This one is about 3 1/2″ deep and a little over 12″ by 9″ inside the body. Front and back are 7 oz. leather and the gusset is about 5 oz. to give some flexibility.
All the hardware and rivets are solid brass for all weather use and this one features a flat pocket inside and out to organize small items.
The gussets are cinched to keep the top contracted but can be opened if necessary.
The security strap is left open so that objects can be tucked under if desired.
Obviously, I like this design and all its variations and I hope the new owner can put it to good use for many years.
Deluxe Possibles Bag
More shameless promotion from the workshop. This is my new, deluxe model possibles bag for the right mountain man or woman. This design has proven to be practical and popular. The leather is veg-tanned Hermann-Oak and all sewing is double-needle saddle-stitch. The hardware is premium solid harness brass. This bag will only get better with time and wear. I’ve been carrying the same design for a decade and it is just getting more beautiful with age.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/669145808/deluxe-shooting-bag-possibles-bag?ref=shop_home_active_1
Work from the Leather Shop
- Long, cold nights in the Midwest.
- Limited mobility due to injury.
- A need to create new things
- A desire to fund my trips later this year…
This is a recipe for high productivity in the workshop.
Fortunately, I have a fairly large stockpile of leather and supplies to see me through my projects as I find inspiration in different projects. I am leaning toward things that have been popular in the past years but if anyone has ideas or suggestions, I will gladly consider them.
This is my travel wallet design. It’s a simple clutch-style document case to keep things safely stowed when you want more than a card wallet.
No frills but elegant in its own way, this one was left natural color and rubbed with dubbin (a mix of neatsfoot oil and beeswax). Full-grain veg-tanned leather like this ages beautifully and takes on a golden brown patina. This wallet should outlive its owner.
As always, the stitching is double-needle saddle-stitch for strength and hard-wearing. If you are interested in this or similar goods, please check out our new Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/LostWorldCrafts or just click the banner below. We hope to have the site fully running and stocked with new goodies in the coming weeks.
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 