Customer Reviews

Leatherworking Handbook: A Practical Illustrated Sourcebook of Techniques and Projects

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is a welcome addition to my leatherworking library. Particularly since the the styles are similar to my own tastes - very plain, but elegant. Very different from the typical US type of leatherworking with lots of tooling, buckstitching, etc. Not that I don't appreciate that style also - I have a huge stack of Ann & Al Stohlman's books that I regularly re-read - but it is nice to see something *different*. The techniques, also, are a bit different in some cases, which I also appreciate.

As the author is British, some of the terms and tools may seem unfamiliar at first. However, there are either the "American-English" equivalents listed, or it's clear what is meant from skimming the text.

A definite addition to any leatherworkers'library.

I had in mind a project that needed two particular leatherworking skills - box stitching and moulding leather - and had found many many books which told me in great detail just how to do a thousand other things, much rarer and more complex.

Then I found this book - clear, informative, and reassuring. Bravo!

Richard Byrne

The illustration of techniques in this book is magnificent. I really appreciate the close-up shots and clear photography. If I have a complaint about the book it's that the book is too focused on 'container' type projects. The methods illustrated can easily be adapted, though.

I'm new to working with leather, and this book answered all of my questions about the tools I needed and the materials. It includes magnificent photographs of some inspiring projects, and my only wish is that full instructions be provided for all of them. As it is, there is a sampling of projects in the back, generally very simple and classic looking, occasionally too 80s for modern tastes.

I have made my first bag with this book already, and am about to embark on my second. But the book has useful information for anyone interested in making belts, boxes, wallets, etc.

The resource guide at the end of the book has not been updated since before the advent of the Internet, so it will be of limited use. However, my own Google searches unearthed all of the tools and materials I actually needed. The suggested set-up for a workshop in the book is fanciful for a beginner: I hardly have a tabletop to dedicate to this pastime, let alone a custom-fit room of my own. Some of the tools are similarly useful, but not impossible to do without -- so don't be put off by the lengthy list in the front. I found a number of supplies (linen thread, long, blunt needles, an awl) in the bookbinding section of a local art store.

A breath of fresh air! It has been a long time since a book about Leathercraft held my interest like this one does. I have worked in this field for more than twenty years and books on the craft are fairly hit and miss with the subject. Valeries book is well layed out and very informitive. Good descriptive text and pictures, make the projects therein, a breeze. Although it is a small selection of how to skills for the Leathercrafter, the selection is different and challenging. Highly recommended for schools etc

The book is a very good introduction to working with leather, but it didn't have the details to answer all of my questions, and I am now in search of a better book. The information seems adequate, but once you visit an actual leather supply store (or even consult an online catalog) you'll find you have a thousand questions that this book doesn't confront. A larger glossary would improve this book immensely.

Unfortunately, the guys who run the local leather supply store here are only helpful if it's obvious you're going to spend lots of money. Otherwise they pretty much look down their noses at you. So unless I find some friendlier people to ask questions, I'm stuck with finding the right book. I'm sorry to say that this was not that book.

The book focuses on making cases and presents clear how-to directions. Charming English expressions. No information on tooling or stamping.

I started out working with leather on my own with some help from my local leatherworking supplier. Unhappy with the results I was getting I decided on buying this book and I was not disappointed. The quality of my work is far better now than I could have hoped for. A must read for beginners.

I have been very interesting in making purses and other items where building a case is critical. I found this book to be excellent in answering many of my questions. I have found no one book can answer all your questions. A lot depends on reading and working to develop more understanding. This book attracted me because it uses molds to shape form leather into cases. I found the other information in the book very helpful with my projects and developing my skills and ideas.

This book stands out from the general run of leathercraft books by not being "crafty" (i.e., about making junk) and presenting truly fine workmanship - not the equal of commercial products, but better. It is superbly illustrated and very much to the point. It presents tools, techniques, and projects in order of difficulty. The project items are worthwhile, beautiful, even elegant. No digressions on philosophy or history, no segues into other crafts, no lists of out-of-date websites and suppliers, etc. Buy it. It will elevate your vision as to what's possible.