Thank you for sharing this post. I used a French clamp too and my back aches. I’ll give the block a try.

Agree with @Fadi . A belt is a high wear tension item. Hence without stitching, the stress from all angles/movement will tear the leather. Best is to stitch it up. For glue, I use cement glue for my belts. They bond stronger than white glue in my opinion. But I believe there are other strong glue too.

@Fadi I've contacted them but their price is quite high. Am wondering if you guys know the direct contact?

@Philip do you have any recommendation for good light solid wood for these type of trunks?

This is a project and direction that I'm doing this year too.

Thanks @FrancescoColumbu Apparently they have not replied me yet. Sent it before Christmas. But I've found a manufacturer. Appreciate it.

@Dave Magic I think many of us faced with the same issue. The best way is to release the thread and let it straighten up and start again.

I’m looking for Ilcea Tannery actually. Not sure if they are still functioning.

Thanks @Philip . Do you happen to know the main tannery that I could contact?

@radoslaw.landowski apparently it doesn't. what's your experience with waxed thread? does it catch dust?

@Philip thanks. I will try to get my hands on veg Tan.

@Dave Magic I know of a shoe maker in Singapore (joshualeongshoemaker). He studied bag making then switch to shoe making in Florence. I was asking him what’s the difference between leather accessories and shoe making. He shared that shoe making has a lot more steps in making a pair of shoe thaneather accessory. Longer time in production. More complicated than bag and accessory.

@LYDIE thank you!

@radoslaw.landowski for threads, i’ll run them through the wax a few times and after that I would use a clean cloth and go through the thread to spread out the wax so that the thread feels waxy and stickey throughout. I learn this from a hermes video. For glue, I stay away from toxic smell glue. i go mine from rmleathersupply and fineleatherworks. They have a few good ones.

I store my leather wrapped in kaki brown paper that covers the entire leather hide. I know of crafters who put humidifier or temperature control thermostats in their storage room for leathers. To prevent mold and fungus from growing.

Thank you @ellen !! Would they do 3D Emblem?

@Philip hahaha. I might sell them leather revolver sleeve. Hahaha.

@LYDIE that would be great! Thank you! Please let me know.

But leather splitters don't come cheap. I had in mind for a Fortuna leather splitter. But that requires a lot of investment.

@Dave Magic Thanks for sharing this. It is a good reminder. I'm a big fan of the old Cliche shared by @Philip . Currently I'm using scrap leather and cheap leather to practice my saddle stitching. Alternatively I would find old sofa that are thrown away and I'll remove the leather from the entire sofa and use them for my practice. In a way anyway I could get my hands on cheap/free leather, I would use it for my practice. haha.