steveb leatherworks: the blather

I began taking orders for tool-bags again. Figured it was time. I got alot of requests and dont want to turn away the work. I make these bags out of such heavy leather, that it is a fight putting ’em together.I never break sewing needles and with this latest bag, i broke two, this stuff is iron!!  Makes for a durable and beautiful bag, but man, my ass just gets kicked by the material and what I am asking it to do (demanding it do, is more like it).  Bag Rassler is my Swedish name. I understand why people don’t make things out of heavy material now…it is work.

Part of the joy of putting these bags together  requires I punch slots in heavy 10oz waxy latigo leather. This is a bitch to do by hand, plain and simple. No finesse here, punchin slots just requires a firm grip, a strong swing and an accurate eye. There is simply no way I can punch through two 10oz layers (the bag and the “backing plate”) necessitating that I punch through the back plate part first, before i attach it to the bag with glue, sewing and rivets…