Happy Saturday. Welcome to KosKraft, Issue2.
This Group is for all those creative kossack artisans, plying away at their benches. If you make things, please join, and maybe give us a chance to ooh and ahh at your work.
I guess I'll go first, after the jump.
TOOLS:
I'ld say that Leather Work may be the second oldest profession. And since its beginnings, things have changed dramatically, and yet stayed the same.
I still use hand tools daily, that are pictured in medieval woodcuts.
The knife is called a head knife, or round knife depending on minor details. It has to be scalpel sharp to cut through the hides, and Yes, it will take a finger off. The piece of antler is used to burnish/slick the edges of leather. I've used all the new fangled burnishers, but antler still works the best.
The only machine I really use is my big stitcher. It will sew through about an inch of leather.
I have a small collection of various stitchers. This one is called a Patcher. Well, because you use it to sew patches, mostly biker ones nowadays. You can slide a sleeve down the throat, and the needle can be turned as you sew to follow the lines.
And finally, my cutting bench. Yep, the whole shop is a mess. And contrary to my upbringing, there are no Leprechauns to clean up while I sleep.
Things I've made:
My main work has always been custom. Someone hears about me, and calls. Can you make...? My answer always seems to be "yes". So over the years I've worked on everything from bridles to wedding Albums, and even things we can't mention here in polite company. But the mainstay of any leather worker is belts. I've made thousands of them. All of them cut, shaped,stamped and burnished by hand. Of course the arthritis doesn't allow handstitching them anymore. That's what the big stitcher is for.
Well, that's enough for this week.
I really hope if you make something, you'll consider joining the Group. I really hate talking about myself, and much prefer looking at amazing things made by others. Just mention in the comments about joining, and I'll send out an invite.
(sidenote: I did send out a few invites last week, but didn't hear back. Hope I'm doing it right)