Interested in starting in leatherwork

[Sam Cobra]

I have always been interested in leather craft.  How would you folks recommend getting started?  (If there is already a thread I missed it and you can point me that ) Thanks!

[Johnny McCrae]

Howdy Sam,

Welcome to the Leather Shop Forum.

If you are interested in making Holsters, consider buying the book by Al Stohlman called "How to make Holsters". This will give you a good idea how to start.

There are many talented people on this forum who will be more than willing to help you. Please don't hesitate to ask questions.

You will find Leather Working a very rewarding hobby. Best of luck to you.

[Sam Cobra]

Thanks Pardner.    I have it in my Amazon cart now.

Will this tell me tools or do you think one of the Tandy starter kits would be good for the money?

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/department/Starter-Sets/55510-00.aspx

[Cliff Fendley]

If you are a complete newbie you might also see if there is a Tandy Leather Store in your area, I know at least some stores if not all  offer classes from beginner to intermediate.

[KidTerico]

Johnny and Cliff gave u as good of advise as you will get.  KT

[Sam Cobra]

Thanks guys.  There used to be a Tandy store in town but they closed years ago 

Sounds like I have a good place to start learning ..and plenty of pards to ask questions of when I get stumped 

[Slowhand Bob]

Sam, spend a bit of time going back over some of the older posts, just as good as a book and far more up to date than most.  The three Bibles by Stohlman are what I like to call his HAND SEWING LEATHER, MAKING HOLSTERS and LEATHER TOOLS books.  There are several other Stohlman books that are very good but a bit more specialized and could be filled in later.  I recently done several posts on a topic concerning holster and knife making videos that covered all but the Bianchi set and it is an excellent one that is aimed at the intermediate or old pro, in my opinion.

Nix on the larger tool sets from Tandy, hand pick your individual tools based on knowledgeable sources (ask here!).  Most basic are a couple of good cutting tools, awls, needle, thread, a couple of layout tools and and and uhhh etc etc.  Tandy markets a few decent tools and a few really poor ones (my opinion) and the best way to avoid a junk drawer full of unused tools is to ask before buying.  Even the simple sewing needle can range between junk and excellent quality.  If I were to make my recommendation on the first tools for the first time holster maker to buy, it would definitely be the educational ones, videos and books.  The guys here are a great resource so let the questions begin.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

           Welcome Sam Cobra

   Enjoy our forum, you will find plenty of good advice from our members so make yourself  at home.

                Regards

      tEN wOLVES

[Chuck 100 yd]

You came to the right place pard!
Read all the old posts here and ask away. You will be turning out pieces that will make you proud in no time at all.
You cant make an omelet unless you crack a few eggs. 

[Dusty Drifter]

Sam,

I got into (addicted actually) to leather working a couple of years ago. So I'm still a bit of a newbie and in no way an expert but I say ditto to all the advice from these other guys. What really helped me is the videos. Go to Tandy's website and you will find several short free videos on tools and techniques. [http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/infoandservices/Leathercraft-Videos/Leathercraft-Videos.aspx]
For holsters and other western style leather the Leather Shop on this site is great. Just start reading all the old posts and you will learn alot. More often than not someone has already asked your question. Another place with good gunleather tutorials is Will Ghormley's site. [http://www.willghormley-maker.com/]

If you are also interested in other areas of leather working you might also check out Leatherworker.net and Leatherpros.net. Of the two, Leatherworker.net I believe has been around longer and has much more info available.
Good luck,
Texas John

[Long Juan]

Ditto Texas John and the others.  I have been leatherworking for about a year now and this forum is absolutely the best.  Will Ghormley wrote a great set of articles for The Shootist (NCOWS magazine) 10-15 years ago.  They are still well worth the read.  They are available for download at http://www.tarryhollowgang.com/leather/will-ghormley/. 

[Massive]

The one word answer is:  Video.  Youtube, and there are 3 or more video sets out on holstermaking.  One of the great things about youtube is that you can crosstrain.  Obviously find what you can online there about holsters, and related arts, but there are also basic tandy videos, and stuff that is quite far afield like shoemaking.  You can pick up good tips from a lot of this stuff.

Then go to your local leather store and get some scraps, and some good stuff, and do at least some practice.  I love jumping in the deep end, but it will all come a lot faster with even a few minutes of practice, rather than just jumpimg into projects.  And it will be more fun to do the projects when you know you are able to pull them off without fretting.

[Johnny McCrae]

Howdy Sam,

I might add that the video called "Frontier Holsters"  by Chuck Burrows is excellent.
http://www.wrtcleather.com/