You know Phil, I never thought about folderble shopping tote... that makes this bag a perfect shopper's tote!

Hello yiggort, This project showcase your excellent hand stitching skill! It is very appealing; simple and beautiful! Thanks!

It is beautifully made; love the contrast on texture of two different types of leather and color! Congrats!

Perry, I love how you made the leather hinge work, I can tell it is a metal pole you put in there which makes a perfect sense to minimizing frictions in between the leathers and the rod; rare to see this kind of construction in leatherwork. The choice of color scheme in leather color and thread are excellent! I remember making my very first, which was a tote bag... and I was very ambitious with knowing nothing about leathercraft ... my stitches were irregular, wrong size of thread were used, and many more miscalculated mistakes... anyway, it is all good memories and learning curve... I think you are being humble saying this is rustic! It is fine with traditional flare of saddle bag! Congrats!! Cheers, Young

For sure!

A few years ago, I started watching this, but didn't get to finish it for some reason, probably kids prevented me from finish watching this. ;) I watched it with an awe again, with my mouth open, lol. Only a kidding... It is interesting to see other artisan's thoughts, one said, the material cannot dictate... which I truly agree, a grandfather's money will be gone, but his/your labor won't and I agree on that too... and an importance of manual work, etc,. This documentary shows Hermès heritage... I realized that they are not only creating an environment for these artisan to get educated for their job, but also inheriting the art of craftsmanship, which I think is very novel. Every single pieces of H's bags and other products are handcrafted which explains why they are super expansive; they have to feed these employments! After finish watching this video, I now have a better understanding of their price tags ☺️ and their principals. Thanks for sharing this video, Phil. I enjoyed it very much!

You're welcome, Phil. No qualification? I see. So it is just like working for a Microsoft, a big corporate; perks. 😊

This is a very tough topic, but I can understand why Hermès sued this small company. When I was in art/technology school, we had to learn about intercellular property and rights (==copyrights). I remember what my professors emphasized… and he said not to do an “exact copy” of other people’s work! 1. Making a counterfeit products for profits are considered as PIRACY and you can go to jail for it. As it said on that article, they got verdict in violation of UCPA: Copyrights, but the article didn’t indicate what was the result of that verdict. I sure will be scared of H, if I was in this situation because they are a wale, with one gulp, I will be swallowed deep down into H’s stomach! 2. These big designer brands has very similar look of Kelly or Birkin bags, because their designs may have started/inspired from Herès bag, but we all know it all started from LV… yet, they don’t sue each other for it is because they are not an “exact copy!” Within the copyrights, you can make your own copy for yourself or friends and family members, but cannot make a profit out of it and you can also come up with similar design which doesn’t considered as a copyrights infringement. Have you heard of a term, “copy(fake) it until you make it?” Lol. Basically, if there is no financial benefits from making a copy, you are safe. I think as an artist/artisan, we have to respect other artist’s intellectural properly more because, these artisans put so much of work for it and their product gets stolen from them? What would you feel, if someone steals your work and said, “ I made that!” I would be irate! In addition, H’s bag is extremely expensive, I mean, it is about a cost of a car! But people still wants it! It is obvious they have enough of clients who keep buying their bag, but can anyone have an access to these bags? I think, not … I think counterfeits gets created because people wants these bag but don’t want to pay the full-price for it. I think H’s high mark-up on their products created its own problems! Now I 'm curious about pay scale for artisans who works at H... 😅

I have used Giardini when I first started leathercraft, but it took a very long time to master having a beautiful edge with it because of a very long drying time, you triple the drying time when you use primer and/or top coat… sure it is beautiful when it is all done, but the amount of time spent killed me. Not to mention, ironing really doesn’t work very well. The sad part of it all is that I live in Southern California where there are barely any humidity in the air. Uniters, on the other hand, it changed my life… I was blown away how quickly it dries and how easily to work with… And now that I read this manual, I am wondering about these primers or fillers…I dont use primers, but I sometime, use Uniters edge paint with Giardini‘s matt finish top coat which works very nicely! So my question is, Do these: Uniters primers and fillers, really work? do they dry quick enough? Has anyone used it before? And does anyone use bake method? who does this? 😅 Thanks for sharing, Phil as it was an interesting read.

Cristian h-less, I believe the machine is in a good working condition as it is a brand new or more so I was told... However, I do have some doubt about Cobra's technician's knowledge and from that, I like to say, the machine is NOT in 100% of fine working condition. Though, it is a machine, and as I am the operator; I will be the one who is in charge/responsible of fine tuning this machine to at my liking... I was looking to do both, skiving and splitting leather, but because I am so new to using skiving machine, I was unknowingly going through everything...in search of that keen. I don't know if you have experience that... I get so impatient when I use any machine and thinking this machine would help me reduce amount of time I put in for skiving, but in reality, I still need to do the fine skiving by hand anyway...🙄😓 I think I am asking a lot for this eyeless and mindless machine to do human jobs. Ok, I will try to reduce thickness a little by little to see how that works! This machine doesn't offer the capability of suction. 😊 I got the speed control down by my foot!! Haha... For adding another server motor to the feed roller?... 🤔 Maybe one day, I may consider that when I'm done exploring this machine first, if it is feasible for me at that time. Thank you, Christian @philipjury1, @asbinc for taking the time to write and providing your 'know-how' information, I really appreciated! Cheers, Young

Asbinc, Thanks for the comparison on materials; a poster board VS. a soft sponge. Your choice of example made me laugh, but I totally get what you are saying! Here is to, jumping into, yet, another headaches... 😅 Happy Skiving to you as well ~

1. Ok, so speed is out of question as I suspected. Yay. 2. Maybe I was testing my skiving machine and leathers over to the limit a little bit. 😅 I do test things to their extreme... but yay yes!!, I have a sharp bell knife. 3,4. Yes, I'm going to give a rubber feed roller a try and see if I like it. And I will try your suggestions on spacing between the presser foot and the blade for different types of leathers. Thank you so much, Phil! Young

Phil, your answers on this post solved a few questions that I posted in HELP section of forum. Thanks! ;)

Great work! Lovely edge work and stitching work; I remember making this when I first join Phil's lesson, and it was not easy at all!

It looks good!

@paul p It looks amazing😻!

Doug, It looks very neat on stitches and those covered snap button adds more style to your purses. Good job! What size of linen thread?

Hi Veronica, Made me laugh reading your description for this post! Stitching looks good and I love the choice of color. Your dog has beautiful eyebrows 😀~ What leather did you use on this project? Thanks, Young

Oh wow, that is a surprise to me! I thought, guessed, your past students have produced boxes or cases of gilded edge... I enjoyed it a lot making the box with gilded edges. The behind story is that I tried to make this box a few month ago, but my stitching awl got super short after an attempt of awl sharpening and so I had to pause the work on this particular project and later on I bought a new stitching awl... And for my second attempt of sharpening an awl, I successfully sharpened the awl and was able to finish the box! I would love to use Sedgwick's English Bridle leather and different shade of gold foils or other colors of foils. I think this is the favorite of my works so far. You guys made my day! Off to a beach with kids today~ Have a wonderful day, ya'll!

Thank you, Doug!