Hi, Nicola, it’s difficult to get bonded leather in Germany.I found this shop in Belgium: https://shop.lederstudio.be/en/cart/ where you can get smaller quantities. Hope it helps

Thanks for the idea. I work a lot with black leather and it’s often difficult to see the stitching line. Your idea helps as long as the tape doesn’t stretch.

Since you asked for opinions about your work: I really like your bag and I wish I were able to produce anything like it. A few things that you might want to improve on: - on the last picture with the gusset the stitching holes seem very big, probably owed to your pricking iron. - the color of the zipper would not be my taste. I would have either chosen a color closer to the leather or may be a black one. But of course that’s a matter of taste and yours may not be like mine. - I think I would have put the D-ring for the shoulder strap a bit higher. Being so low I would expect the bag to easily turn upside down while carrying it. Of course then the zipper would have to be shorter. But that also would give a chance to stitch the side gusset on top of the bottom gusset instead of vice versa so you would not see the edge of the bottom gusset. Please forgive my criticism, it’s still a beautiful bag and I would be proud to carry it!

Hi, Prakash, I have used it and discarded it for an electric skiving machine. I think the Scharffix is good for small projects with a limited kind of leather: since you have to pull the leather hard to skive it the machine is no good for any soft leather. First of all because soft leather is hard to cut this way and it bends from pulling. You always have to make sure to use an absolutely sharp blade and you have to change blades quite often, sometimes you need several blades for one project. The machine is good for firm leather that is not too stiff. But considering the price it may be worth a try. Try to avoid Chinese fakes. They look the same but they are no good. Good luck with your projects!

@verma.aditi Hi, Verma, his name is Frank Brunnet, his website is Naehmaschinen-shop.com. I had included a link in my previous post in the word „abroad“. Just klick on it and you will see the skiing machine he offers.

There is a dealer for Leather-sewing-machines in Germany, who also sells bellskivers. He is very reliable and I think he ships abroad. Frank is also very nice and will answer all your questions.

Congratulations to the twins and the bag. It‘s stunning!

@Veronica (Nica) Hi, Veronica, I am using the 1.8mm awl and it does do the zigzag stitch, depending on the thickness of the leather and the thickness of the thread.

Hi, Veronica, when Phil is working with the awl it looks so easy. I had the same experience that you had with your wallet. And just recently I found out success with the awl depends largely other tool. Itried several awl from Wuha, filed and polished them, but the results always came out poorly. Last week I got a new awl, and it’s world different. Only the tip is sharp, very sharp, it’s perfectly polished somit glides more than you need to push. But- it also depends very muchon the leather. Some tough leather just doesn’t seem to work. Not yet😀. Here is a link to the awl I purchased: https://www.etsy.com/de/listing/570165606/flache-ahle-fur-leder-pistolenhafte?transaction_id=2347418966&campaign_label=proteus_transaction_buyer_notification_boe_convo_url_treatment&utm_source=transactional&utm_campaign=proteus_transaction_buyer_notification_boe_convo_url_treatment_010170_419265317394_0_0&utm_medium=email&utm_content=&email_sent=1615460205&euid=WI2L9j39GVO4YPa_zAv1kECdyqmH&eaid=48323351933&x_eaid=ff51f3642c

Hi, Stephan, I recently ordered a collection of brass hardware from a tannery in Sweden that is closing down. They still have a vast variety. They sent me a collection of pictures with articles in assorted in rows and columns and an excel sheet explaining each article. Got the address from this board. They may not have the exact same rings and hooks, but at least very similar. Like the work on your belt. Are the rivets screwed or hammered? Please contact me for the email address of the guy in Sweden.