Can both sides of this be seen? On one hand, Hermés and similar French brands are backed by a massive political movement there protecting the “Made in France” badge. It’s something that’s hounded other artisans in the past. I recall a cohort of Hermés crafts people making bags using genuine materials and techniques for Asian buyers on the side. Another was this one https://hypebae.com/2021/2/hermes-counterfeit-ring-sentenced-charged-prison-jail Surely someone must have realised that sometimes the bear pokes back. Whatever the case, I can categorically assure this - I’m glad it wasn’t me!

Hi

I need one of these!!

There it is, in living colour. I got them from Shoetechnik in Italy. Absolutely no reason to doubt them but twice bitten now so I'll pass until I know what's what. It says MINOR, just like the one from Abbey England. That's the new one still wrapped up in plastic, unlikely to see the light of day until I need a new brush. I couldn't make out any markings to elaborate on the plastic type, PP or PE or similar. I could suggest BS as a suitable moniker - just look at that bottom corner crack. Anyhow, that's the story. Choose well, folks. You have been warned. ... and just an update from Antonio from Shoetechnik, he mentioned that the pots above are good for neoprene and water based glues only. Solvent based will damage the container. I already figured.

You're on to a winner there, Philip. Do you think you could roll up in a new Bentley and try pull off the same fiddle? The gauntlet has been cast down.

I'm afraid I'm somewhat removed from the workshop at the moment. I'll be back after one too many mince pies and Roses and we'll see what's what. In the mean, if anyone else out there has purchased Minor brand pots, any issues?

I haven't a clue about clicker presses, but having had a go once, I could only suggest second hand to start with unless you're totally committed to frequent use. Having said that, I've only just seen some small desk mounted ones available from wuta.com

The very best of luck building your collection. I could suggest that it can become an addiction akin to drugs and regrettably, there is no suitable substitute. You have been warned. One opinion is that "you get what you pay for" and generally that rings true. There are a number of excellent compromises from the Far East including a few hand made by tool makers. Some may even offer tools with different steel grades depending on your budget. The Blanchards and Regads of this world, in my own opinion, seem to trade on reputation. That's not to say you cant get something nice - I've only just this week received a number of items from them and admittedly some were just for the love of the name. But do your comparisons. Tandy/Crafttool have recently gotten very sexy with their ranges and prices aren't half bad plus availability is second to none. I've purchased a lot of second hand tools from eBay and classifieds - most are superb. There is a reason they're that old and still in use. Good sharpening technique, proper storage and use for purpose I recon will see them last beyond your lifetime. In short, if I had to start again, I'd probably get Wuta, JunLin, Dixon and save my money for materials like excellent leather and good thread. My missus has no idea what I've spent on tools. I do. And I'm bringing that number to the grave.

How do, Greg, Nice to meet you here. I'm a frequent traveller to MA (with family in Charlestown, less said about them the better) but I've not found any regular suppliers of leather while I'm there. I think, don't quote me, that Buckleguy is nearby. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Your last sentence struck home with me as it was my time on a family stud farm as a kid that was the subliminal Genesis of my leather journey. IF you're keen on fragrance, I could suggest CUIRS by Carner Barcelona for something 'close' but still something special. Not a very "butch" way to start a conversation!

Assuming you don't go straight onto your backside, each step would feel like you scraped your car off every bollard, kerb and brick gatepost only before seeing your favourite pub burn down.

Looks like that'll do the trick. Nicely done. I assume you're undoing it for a good reason or just being nosy. My tension is akin to a plastic packing strip you'd commonly find keeping boxes around large electrical appliances or a bungee under tension. Seems to work, doesn't slip, doesn't labour the motor. Hope this helps some.

Yes, I too, have experienced a physical reaction to this video. Being a gentleman, I shouldn't elaborate. Suffice it to say, I've just found my next account to follow on IG. There are crafters and there are crafters. But this... This is not even a different league, it's a different sport.

Well done on joining the skiving machine community. My first piece of leather skived was the tip of a finger when stupidly reaching into the machine to clear something. I suppose you only do something like that once (or no more than ten times). Like above, there'll be that nut to loosen at the back of the motor attached to something like an L-shaped bar. If I had to guess, just going by your snaps, I think it might be the one circled. Let us know how you get on. and send us some more pics of the machine. I'm always curious to see other ones. Good luck.

Dear Customer Open Unit Check Wire Voltage No? Send Back You Pay ____ Regrettably, the only other manufacturers are the French. Although I’d expect a decent build quality (despite owning a Peugeot years ago) I’ve could reasonably expect a comparable level of email support. Assuming they reply at all.

Another suggestion, if I may, is that the unit is not getting a continuity of the circuit hence thinks you’ve not attached an iron. I’d have a good guess this is the same message you’d see if you switched it on with nothing connected at all. If it is possible, can you open the unit and check (with a meter) if theres voltage moving through the connection points? You could also check for a break in connection in the cable using the tone function but that might necessitate disassembling the handle. Any half assed electrical engineer will know how to do this and you’re bound to know one personally. I’m just throwing this out there instead of forking out for a new unit. Manufacturer will probably tell you what’s what with a short, monosyllabic email. Best of luck and please let us know how you progress with this. I’ve a reasonable suspicion you won’t be the only one here with such an issue. Stephen

And a big thanks for the Big Duck too! I'm Stateside every few weeks so I'll be all over this one too!

There's Fadi, always on the ball!! Nicely done, thanking you

This stuff seems to be some mysterious material who's whereabouts are apparently only known to the Illuminati. IF it helps any, I've used ribbon. Plain, basic, nylon ribbon. Don't believe it? - Wrap some around your fists and pull as hard as you can. There.

I counted less than half a dozen British tanneries. Most other exhibitors were service providers (sustainability, chemicals, R&D). Tanneries as I recall were Crown (London), Clyde Leather (Glasgow) and Pittards (Dorchester thereabouts. That was it. Shame really, given what could have been but perhaps they saw sense that it wasn't really their audience. That heap (calf bellies and goatskin on the table at the Alran booth pictured was what I managed to bargain with the little Euros I had stashed in the house. I really meant to pick up some ostrich and Italian suede (Opera) but literally ran out of cash and any more and my wife would have sussed I was buying leather again. Pretty much everyone was looking to offload hauled stock prior to heading home so bargains abound to be had. HOWEVER you need to know your prices - on South African company wanted the more or less the same money we'd pay through the usual channels for ostrich skins. I offered feedback to such companies regarding the sanding of the rear of the ostrich skins and they sagely nodded to each other and took it to heart for their range made available to artisans. So, let's see if they follow through in the coming months - it'd certainly save time. Heng Long were insistent on not letting any alligator or croc skins go for half nothing despite my Celtic charm turned up to 11. Shame, really, sublime scarcely does them justice. Some Japanese wares were on show, they were usually crowded stalls so I kept away. South Korea was there with usually hardware - nothing special. Some machinery suppliers - dying drums and tanning pits as well as chemicals and dyes. Giardini was there but since their edge paint failed so easily in storage for me, I walked on by. The Turks had quite a few stands but I couldn't tell one from the other as the offerings were so similar. I could go on. The French and Italian stands was where I wanted to go and it was there I found myself mostly. I'll try Lineapple when it comes up again methinks, as the European hides are what appeal most to me. If anyone wants more photos, just message me. They're mostly of hides and whatnot. Stephen 😁

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