I've had my leather business up and running full time for 18 months or so, and I've been doing leathercraft for around seven years.
I have done some training in traditional Japanese style leatherwork in Hong Kong. Since then I've tried to incorporate more French/European techniques into my work.
Briefcases are my favourite thing to make. In the future I'd love to make some attache cases or trunks, and maybe some Gladstone or Dulles bags.
I'll see if I can attach some pictures of my briefcases.
I've already posted my Instagram name on the relevant thread, but here it is again. @carswell_leather
Thanks for looking,
Martin Carswell
(Carswell Leathergoods)
My briefcase in chestnut Tuscan veg tan. I like to use the growth marks as a feature on the main panels. These take me around 80 hours to make. The front and rear panels are stiffened so it wont sag, and there's a stainless runner that I heat treat so that it can flex under the handle but never permanently bend away from dead straight.
All of my edges are skived to reduce thickness and they're all burnished rather than edge painted. The tricky part of burnishing a fully lined case is getting the lining to be caught by the stitching but not protrude through to the edge because it wont burnish.
Here's a matching folio for the briefcase. Also stiffened, but it has a single gusset, a zip and external pocket. All fully lined with pigskin.
This matching pair was a custom order for a client.
@Martin CarswelI That's beautiful stuff, Martin! This seems to be Briefcase Month on the forum, and I've loving it.
Question: The bottom corners appear to be square with a rounded shape to the stitching. This is different from how I'm used to seeing it. What's your thinking?
Request: I've never made the "folded" version of the gusset you show. If possible, I'd very much appreciate being able to see several process shots of that construction coming together and have you talk through it.
Super happy to see you here! I am on a slow and steady mission to make my first briefcase and yours has been a huge inspiration. I will be making a build along thread soon to document my progress, so I would love any pointers you might have along the way.
Great attention to detail.
Stunning Martin
Great work mate!! what size thread did you use? and what make? Cheers
@Martin CarswelI That's beautiful stuff, Martin! This seems to be Briefcase Month on the forum, and I've loving it.
Question: The bottom corners appear to be square with a rounded shape to the stitching. This is different from how I'm used to seeing it. What's your thinking?
Request: I've never made the "folded" version of the gusset you show. If possible, I'd very much appreciate being able to see several process shots of that construction coming together and have you talk through it.
Thanks!
Dale
@Martin CarswelI That's certainly an apex predator level of craftsmanship there! I like your folio, you really made it your own with the design.
Glad to have you on the forum and contributing from your experience. I think you're going to be very popular here :D
Hey mate,
welcome here!
the briefcase is just awesome! I like the fact that your burnished istead of edge painted.
Going to stalk you in Instagram :D
Super happy to see you here! I am on a slow and steady mission to make my first briefcase and yours has been a huge inspiration. I will be making a build along thread soon to document my progress, so I would love any pointers you might have along the way.
Great pics, i certainly followed you on Instagram as vollia_atelier. I Look forward to seeing the amazing work 👌