Hi there,
Hubert, 34 years old, from very close to Paris.
hla00042 on IG if that matters :-)
I’ve always loved leathergoods firstly for the material, the feel, the smell of good leather.
I found out one day that getting myself a few hides of my favorite leathers would be a great way to satisfy my needs for leathergoods and at the same time play with cool tools / sharp stuff which is one of my other passions. And then I was into leathercraft !
I started with some awful 2nd choice / way to heavy vegan and moved quickly to proper leathers, still struggling to find the right leather at the right weight locally (how stupid is that leaving in France ?).
I started in April 2018 and since then, this has occupied most of my free time (which is not much having 2 young children here). I work 1 to 3 hours late at night. I have the chance to be able to cut sleeping and rely on caffeine for quite a large extent.
Currently my bench is a part of dinning table. I keep everything to the minimal waiting for a proper workshop (coming in 2019 !).
More than playing with leather, I think I found a great way to relax and use my two hands for something else that typing on a keyboard doing a questionably useful office job :-)
I guess I’m now really “into“ that craft. I love the fact that even keeping it simple that craft can be deeply explored. My main limitation right now is not being able to punch that pricking iron as long as baby is not asleep :-D
I don‘t intend to sell my product other than for covering my raw material cost as I produce one item at a time (which would make the price crazy high and totally irrelevant with regards to both my experience and marketing efforts lol). Instead I gift my products to loved ones and to be really honest, I ”test” most of them as i’m constantly experimenting with new leathers, techniques, finished...
Philip was (and always is) a great help in finding the right answer to the crucial questions :-) His approach to sharing great information at a very affordable rate to push that craft forward is remarquable. Keep it up my friend !!
I will be very happy to contribute here and help if I can.
Merry Christmas all !
Pumping new life back into this post, @hubert.lachery would you be in a position to recommend any particular goatskin supplier in France? I’ve looked through several sites and not only am I confused and headspun with all the varieties, I’m looking for a supplier who should assist in skiving the leather down to 0.5-0.8mm. Is there anywhere in particular I might look? Shipping to Ireland likely needed.
Definitely, Mando is a good place to buy many stuff. I got my FaC there, I haven't found any other retailer selling it cheaper.
Concerning leathers in Paris, @hubert.lachery would you like to share with us where do you buy your leathers, and what king of skins you currently use? Merci :)
Not double but more expensiveyes (you get much more length) - 15€ is very good even without tax. A 632 usually runs around 29€
I find this very expensive. I bought a spool of 50g nr 632 from Mando last September and paid 15.78€ (tax not included). Would an 832 be double the price of a 632?
I always wanted to know, if lin cable is cheaper in france? or the same? Right now I buy it from USA: A bit odd, since I live in Europe :D
Hi Philip !
thank you !
My plan is actually to enjoy some time off at the beginning of the year to find out more about leather shops in Paris. I think that moving onto goat leather might be a good idea in the long term (love it and might be more available). Will let you know for sure !!
Regarding tools, I think I will end up with a ton of VB probably sold as the very best made in France tools money can get...
Eprose is another high end / crazy high prices Gucci tools brand I know but to be honest I don’t think you can beat internet with all the ultra high quality and affordable tools you can get (customized to your needs) :-)
I would be more than happy to know more / see a few pics of that pricking press as I have been thinking to build one but never really took time to figure out how to properly clamp that iron on it !
Hey Hubert! I'm glad you joined us here on the forum, so welcome!
I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on the various leather and tool suppliers in Paris.
Regarding pricking quietly, I have a 1 ton arbour press that I can fit a pricking iron into with a block of MDF underneath. If you clamp another piece of wood/MDF etc just behind the iron then you can keep a very consistent distance from the edge.
Cheers!
Phil