Hermès Saddlery

And would you believe, the man featured is an old family friend. Or was, I should say. His sons went completely different paths - the tech sector. And you must be psychic as skiving is something that's kicking my ass right now. What I've gathered is that slow and steady wins the race AND showing the blade the strop between breaths works wonders too. Looking over Techniques of the Bell Skiver and the Turned Edge Passport Wallet, the machine does it so so well. I'm not in the market for that machine just yet so it's old school for me

As for one's masculinity, true, the old guard can teach the men among us a thing or three about how it's done. No doubt about it. But if it helps any, I'm a former doorman and bodybuilder who spent two summers in Grasse, France learning about my passion for fragrance from the finest perfumers in the region with masculinity being the farthest thing from anyone's mind. But I made it through. Let's just move on. When you're in a hole, stop digging, right?

To make up for the above confession, may I suggest "The Watchmaker's Apprentice"? It's a movie about a British watchmaker, George Daniels and his passing the baton to a man he trained. EVERYTHING hand made. springs, movements, cases, you name it. Horology doesn't sound particularly riveting. Rather pedestrian, actually, but take a look and see if this documentary doesn't have you all glued to the screen. You'll "find" it online. If you know what I mean.

http://www.thewatchmakersapprentice.com/

@stephenkgavin Awesome! Yeah I haven't seen that documentary on George Daniels before, but I have seen a few other videos on him.

One of the most profound things he has ever said on craftsmanship is 'it shouldn't look hand made, it should look crafted'. Notice he didn't say perfect, or clinical or mechanical, but 'crafted'.

Some might not understand the difference, but he managed to articulate exactly how I feel about craftsmanship.

I love watching someone devoted to there craft!, I like watching jewellers or carpenters working

@Daniel W. It's like poetry in motion. Many thanks to Phil @Leathercraft Masterclass for the insight into Msr. Larent's worklife. For those interested, look up "Hearts and Craft", a French video production, I believe, detailing this and some of Hermès' other disciplines.

For a more antiquated interpretation, anything from Ireland generally checks that box. Way back when, the national broadcaster comissioned a series of shows focusing on niche and generally indegenous cottage industries across the island called "HANDS". In the clip below, a small saddlery only minutes from where I live is featured.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jre_rfhkhI&list=PLV0fRfs-R84XjgTeD78jCJbTtwsZhjjEO&index=8

The people at YouTube should have other editions and similar videos on offer.

Top marks to the chaps who smoke their pipes and cut their leather. Old school. My money's on many of us quietly wanting a life like that. Now, thanks to Covid, we may only be a few management decisions away from that.

Enjoy.

PS, can someone tell me how to inbed the video in the posting and not just the link? Cheers!

@stephenkgavin Click the + symbol (press enter if you can't see it) and select the video camera icon. You can then add the link.