Flaws in leather

Skeeter Lewis · December 31, 2009, 08:04:36 AM

Sometimes it's hard to work around a flaw in leather without being wasteful. I'm making a bag at the moment and, yes, there's a small hole in it. It looks like something they tried to camouflage at the tannery. Do pards have ways of covering and hiding these imperfections? I'd be grateful for your thoughts. Skeet

Gun Butcher · December 31, 2009, 08:13:08 AM

Skeeter what is the weight of the leather and how big is the hole. If you can post a picture it would help us come up with something.
With buckskin it is easy to sew in a plug and still have it lay nice and flat so let us know on the thickness of the leather.

Skeeter Lewis · December 31, 2009, 08:20:46 AM

GB, it's 6-7 ounce tooling leather. The two holes are small and don't go real deep. They're less than 1/16" but quite visible. I can't do a picture at the moment. My camera's acting up.

I'm not thinking of a patch but of getting a smooth effect.

Gun Butcher · December 31, 2009, 08:33:38 AM

Okay, Is their a possibility of working your carving pattern around so that you can maybe get it to cover the flaws? What I mean is if you can place the flaws in the right area maybe a beveler will be run across them and kind of close them up.
Or a backgrounding tool . Hope you get my meaning.

Dave Cole · December 31, 2009, 08:40:33 AM

Well since I do so much inlay work, I usually position any flaws in an area I am cutting out anyway.It sounds like this maybe the perfect place to try some filigree work, Do like GB said and arrange your pattern so the holes are in an area to be removed, or at least maybe in the background and to be matted.Dave

Skeeter Lewis · December 31, 2009, 08:57:05 AM

Okay, guys, thanks for that. I'll try that.

But if that doesn't work out, is there any substance that could be used to fill such imperfections which could then maybe be touched in with color?

Kid Terico · December 31, 2009, 11:24:59 AM

Not that I know of. KT

FEATHERS · December 31, 2009, 12:08:54 PM

G'Day Skeeter,I was thinking if the holes don't go thru the leather,you could try embossing the under side to bring it out flush,then glue in some leather sawdust on the under side.Feathers

Slowhand Bob · December 31, 2009, 02:35:50 PM

When I was a kid I noticed thet a lot of them movie women seemed to be broke out in moles pretty bad and only found out later thet they was called beauty marks

Shux, them womens were even painting fake ones on their faces! Is it possible that these could be considered beauty marks and be well placed to display them with pride? Uggerly hides need to feel the love also.

Skeeter Lewis · December 31, 2009, 06:40:41 PM

Good thought, Feathers.

Hey Bob, you may have a point!