Handmade leather pipe pouch, the early years

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Originally Posted by JollyRogers

Every time I look at these I like them more and more, you're making me really want to get or make a cover for the moleskin notebook I use at work. I've got a vision for it, it's the extra large, I'm thinking slots for the front and back cover, a pen loop, a business card pocket and some form of closure. I didn't consider I might be compelled to try a new hobby when I just started into cigars! Damn bums are bad influences all around! :stogie:

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Haha, GOOD influences! Think of all the useful things you could make!

You really could do that cover. The stuff I've done is probably a little rough to use at the office, but smaller, tighter holes and smaller thread would be doable.

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Originally Posted by quo155

WoW! What a project and a great job at it, that's for sure. I'm impressed!

Now.....if I can just keep my mind from wanting to try my hand at leather crafting...to add to my 654 other hobbies.

I want in line to buy one of those whenever you say the word! I've been wanting a leather pouch for my baccy and pipe for quiet some time, but everything looks too cheap or is not me "style" (I'm country) yet has a crazy price tag (being that I don't like what's available to begin with). But, this...is perfect!

Good job Tim!

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Thanks a lot! These are really simply but they do look good, and if they soften up with use I'll be pretty happy with them. And if I ever get to the point where I'm confident enough with my work to sell anything I'll put it up here on the Bum first!

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Originally Posted by Cardinal

Haha, GOOD influences! Think of all the useful things you could make!

You really could do that cover. The stuff I've done is probably a little rough to use at the office, but smaller, tighter holes and smaller thread would be doable.



Thanks a lot! These are really simply but they do look good, and if they soften up with use I'll be pretty happy with them. And if I ever get to the point where I'm confident enough with my work to sell anything I'll put it up here on the Bum first!

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If you wet the stitching, tap the stitching down, then run the overstich wheel bqck over the thread will help it lay down a bit.

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Originally Posted by Will46r

If you wet the stitching, tap the stitching down, then run the overstich wheel bqck over the thread will help it lay down a bit.

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Thanks, tried that and it does look better now!

Little update. I'm trying some different leathers now, and working on my edges. Found out a friend of a friend does some leatherworking, so I went to her shop and she gave me some tips and help, and also showed me her edge waxing wheel which helped a ton -

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...pswdw9bssd.jpg

I've got two more in process, one buffalo hide which is thick but very supple, and another in what I believe is oil tanned and quite a bit softer than my original veg-tan, but more rigid than the buffalo.

Here's a pic of the buffalo one, which due to the softness I really struggled with my stitch lines -

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psaveymzkm.jpg

Man these are so freaking cool!

Great job!!!!

Thanks Brandon. Gotta admit, it's a lot of fun too.

I'm about to meet up with a buddy and give him one of these to try out, so thought I'd take one last family photo including the two new ones in process -

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9rdkua4z.jpg

those are really nice, great job

Yer really doing a good job on those, Tim!

Now you've done made me place an order for 3-5 oz leather lol. One of the first things a pro leatherworker will when examing your is to check the edges.

Are you having a problem grooving or punching? If it's punching are you placing fingers on eqch side of where the awl goes through? If it's grooving you can use double sided tape or contact cement and glue the leather to some plexiglass or even your cutting board.

Looking good

Rubber cement... RUBBER CEMENT!!!!! NOT contact cement lol

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Originally Posted by Cardinal

Little update. I'm trying some different leathers now, and working on my edges. Found out a friend of a friend does some leatherworking, so I went to her shop and she gave me some tips and help, and also showed me her edge waxing wheel which helped a ton -

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...pswdw9bssd.jpg

I've got two more in process, one buffalo hide which is thick but very supple, and another in what I believe is oil tanned and quite a bit softer than my original veg-tan, but more rigid than the buffalo.

Here's a pic of the buffalo one, which due to the softness I really struggled with my stitch lines -

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psaveymzkm.jpg

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I love Buffalo hide...When you make another one for sale, LMK :cool:

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Originally Posted by Will46r

Now you've done made me place an order for 3-5 oz leather lol. One of the first things a pro leatherworker will when examing your is to check the edges.

Are you having a problem grooving or punching? If it's punching are you placing fingers on eqch side of where the awl goes through? If it's grooving you can use double sided tape or contact cement and glue the leather to some plexiglass or even your cutting board.

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I'm kind of having trouble with both on the buffalo. First, the leather is so springy that the groover won't cut it, and the marks from the overstitch wheel spring back pretty quickly. However, I can get a good enough line to see and good enough pricks to find with the awl. The worst is trying to punch it - I finally figured out where to put both fingers right over where the awl comes through, but I'm having an absolute devil of a time getting the holes to stay in a straight line on the back side due to the way the leather gives and bends.

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Originally Posted by Cardinal

I'm kind of having trouble with both on the buffalo. First, the leather is so springy that the groover won't cut it, and the marks from the overstitch wheel spring back pretty quickly. However, I can get a good enough line to see and good enough pricks to find with the awl. The worst is trying to punch it - I finally figured out where to put both fingers right over where the awl comes through, but I'm having an absolute devil of a time getting the holes to stay in a straight line on the back side due to the way the leather gives and bends.

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Try using a fine pen to mark the leather in the points from the over stitch wheel. Have you tried wetting the leather before grooving? Try backing the leather with another piece of leather or thin wood with a small hole drilled in it.

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Originally Posted by Cardinal

I'm kind of having trouble with both on the buffalo. First, the leather is so springy that the groover won't cut it, and the marks from the overstitch wheel spring back pretty quickly. However, I can get a good enough line to see and good enough pricks to find with the awl. The worst is trying to punch it - I finally figured out where to put both fingers right over where the awl comes through, but I'm having an absolute devil of a time getting the holes to stay in a straight line on the back side due to the way the leather gives and bends.

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Try using a fine pen to mark the leather in the points from the over stitch wheel. Have you tried wetting the leather before grooving? May try backing the leather with a thicker piece or use a piece of wood with a small hole drilled in it.

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Originally Posted by Will46r

Try using a fine pen to mark the leather in the points from the over stitch wheel. Have you tried wetting the leather before grooving? May try backing the leather with a thicker piece or use a piece of wood with a small hole drilled in it.

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That's a good idea on the pen! I've been wetting it and that works great for the veg tanned, but the buffalo is too springy. A little pen-mark is probably the ticket.

I also just gave a try on the backing idea too, first with a stiffer piece of leather and then with my beeswax and both made a huge difference. Thanks for all the advice, it's helping me a lot!

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Originally Posted by Cardinal

That's a good idea on the pen! I've been wetting it and that works great for the veg tanned, but the buffalo is too springy. A little pen-mark is probably the ticket.

I also just gave a try on the backing idea too, first with a stiffer piece of leather and then with my beeswax and both made a huge difference. Thanks for all the advice, it's helping me a lot!

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No problem. I'd be making crappy leather if it wasn't for a lot of free information from master leatherworkers.

Well, I'm extremely unhappy with the stitching on that buffalo, so I'm taking it all apart and trimming off the edges enough that I can start again. Good news is I've practiced some more and think I can do it right the next try.

I also completed one with a softer leather that I'm very happy with. I'd put my name on this one.

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psis1t52ms.jpg

I also finished a veg-tanned and put it in the mail for somebody to check out - 9405903699300394246609 :pipe:

I am impressed Tim! Nice work. Certainly something to be proud of.

These are looking better and better with every post! That last one is a beauty! Keep up the great work

Beautiful work Tim!

Thanks for showing us!

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Originally Posted by Cardinal

Well, I'm extremely unhappy with the stitching on that buffalo, so I'm taking it all apart and trimming off the edges enough that I can start again. Good news is I've practiced some more and think I can do it right the next try.

I also completed one with a softer leather that I'm very happy with. I'd put my name on this one.

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psis1t52ms.jpg

I also finished a veg-tanned and put it in the mail for somebody to check out - 9405903699300394246609 :pipe:

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That's sweet.

Tim, you're just getting better and better!

You're on to something........

Wow those look really good. Isn't it fun how fast we can pick up a new hobby?

It is a blast finding something like this that I really enjoy doing. It's almost like discovering pipes for the first time or something.

I'm working on a different layout based on one of my friends pipe cases that I got to look at last weekend. His is made of heavy canvas and rolls up, so I looked around online and found a few similar ones in leather and I'm trying to recreate one now. I used stiff veg-tan because that's what I've got on hand, but I think a more supple oil-tanned would be better for this application. I'm still going to finish it. The idea is to make a few vertical pockets, with a flap on the top and the left side which should help contain the pipe/tobacco when I roll the thing up.

First pic of some leather I dyed and conditioned heavily with coconut oil earlier this week -

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psznbhzjaq.jpg

Couple new ones going, the first being this new one based on my friend's canvas roll. Unfortunately the leather is too stiff to roll up well, and the top flap needs to be a little longer. I'll try some more conditioned and trim it up a little. It may end up working, but I think I'll need to start with a softer leather if I try this style again. It gave me an opportunity to model Branzig's pipe though!

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psyfhc5msl.jpg

The other one I just finished is the buffalo leather. I was displeased by the stitching being so uneven, so I took it apart, trimmed 1/4" off the edges, and started again with a new technique. It turned out straight and beautiful, and I'm happy with the result. This is the thickest leather I've used, but also the most supple, and it really hugs the pipe and lighter and feels like it offers decent protection. It's my favorite to date, and I want to get some more of this leather to try another one in the style like the roll above.

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3zznuz3q.jpg

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psxaiioxm4.jpg

Very nice, Tim! I'm extremely impressed. I've never been one for much hand craftsmanship... but I did fashion a few decent bongs back in the day ;)

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Originally Posted by Tobias Lutz

Very nice, Tim! I'm extremely impressed. I've never been one for much hand craftsmanship... but I did fashion a few decent bongs back in the day ;)

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Lol thanks. Maybe that'll be my...last project, after I retire.

@Cardinal

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Originally Posted by Cardinal

Couple new ones going, the first being this new one based on my friend's canvas roll. Unfortunately the leather is too stiff to roll up well, and the top flap needs to be a little longer. I'll try some more conditioned and trim it up a little. It may end up working, but I think I'll need to start with a softer leather if I try this style again. It gave me an opportunity to model Branzig's pipe though!

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psyfhc5msl.jpg

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Tim, are you going to sell this one, and if so how much?

Matthew

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Originally Posted by Lostmason

@Cardinal



Tim, are you going to sell this one, and if so how much?

Matthew

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The stitching and alignment on this one are so sloppy and poor that I wouldn't even give it away. It works as a prototype/lessons learned I guess. Will let you know if one works out at some point. I like the concept, but the execution needs major work.

I read an article about using wd/40 to soften leather made me think of glove oil, for baseball gloves,might make it more supple.

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Originally Posted by Cardinal

The stitching and alignment on this one are so sloppy and poor that I wouldn't even give it away. It works as a prototype/lessons learned I guess. Will let you know if one works out at some point. I like the concept, but the execution needs major work.

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I really like this one, looks more personal and stylish.

I'm not sure if it will help or not but when I played baseball and needed to soften a new glove I would rub Vaseline on it and then put in a warm oven for a bit then wipe off the excess. Worked like a charm for me.

Hey Tim, as we discussed by PM my Dad did leather work as a hobby for quite a few years. He had the same issues with stitching as you so he got one of these:

http://springfieldleather.com/42795/...iam-pt%2C6Png/

Much easier and faster than an awl. One shot with a rawhide mallet and you get 6 perfectly aligned holes.

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/...pszh4o25qk.jpg

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Originally Posted by Billb1960

Hey Tim, as we discussed by PM my Dad did leather work as a hobby for quite a few years. He had the same issues with stitching as you so he got one of these:

http://springfieldleather.com/42795/...iam-pt%2C6Png/

Much easier and faster than an awl. One shot with a rawhide mallet and you get 6 perfectly aligned holes.

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/...pszh4o25qk.jpg

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Thank you! I just got one of those a couple weeks ago, and it makes an enormous difference especially with the softer leather. Where before the leather stretched and keeping a straight line was almost impossible, now I can punch really nice, tidy lines. I still enjoy using the awl on veg-tanned leather, but the chisel is great for the softer stuff I've been working on lately.

Speaking of, here's my latest iteration of a roll-up. I got a really awesome, pliable, distressed leather and worked on fixing the flaws from my prototype. I got my measurements about right and I'm happy with the results. That top flap folds down for protection and the whole thing rolls up pretty tight.

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psrusji4sf.jpg

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psowxpomdj.jpg

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Originally Posted by Cardinal

Speaking of, here's my latest iteration of a roll-up. I got a really awesome, pliable, distressed leather and worked on fixing the flaws from my prototype. I got my measurements about right and I'm happy with the results. That top flap folds down for protection and the whole thing rolls up pretty tight.

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psrusji4sf.jpg

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psowxpomdj.jpg

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You're pumping these things out like a boss!

I dig the doubled-up storage pouches on this one. Ever thought about trying to line the inside of one of the pouches to hold raw tobacco?

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Originally Posted by Branzig

You're pumping these things out like a boss!

I dig the doubled-up storage pouches on this one. Ever thought about trying to line the inside of one of the pouches to hold raw tobacco?

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I haven't really. Now that you mention it, I'm having trouble picturing how to do it. I could line one of the pockets with a thin, smooth leather and add a flap. That would probably work better on the first pouch I made. If you have a vision let me know, I'd like to improve on these things.

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Originally Posted by Cardinal

I haven't really. Now that you mention it, I'm having trouble picturing how to do it. I could line one of the pockets with a thin, smooth leather and add a flap. That would probably work better on the first pouch I made. If you have a vision let me know, I'd like to improve on these things.

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I guess I envision something like sewing 9 mil plastic into the inside of one of the pouch. I think that would work well. Then you could just dump whatever blend you wanted to smoke that day straight into the pocket and away you go. The 9 mil is thick, so it would hold humidity fairly well and if you roll the pouch up tight I think it would seal off fine for at least your day out and about.

The only other thing I could think of is sewing in a latex bag inside the pocket as well. I think higher end pipe pouches have latex liners in them...

Just spewing out ideas from the top of my head here :lol:

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Originally Posted by Branzig

I guess I envision something like sewing 9 mil plastic into the inside of one of the pouch. I think that would work well. Then you could just dump whatever blend you wanted to smoke that day straight into the pocket and away you go. The 9 mil is thick, so it would hold humidity fairly well and if you roll the pouch up tight I think it would seal off fine for at least your day out and about.

The only other thing I could think of is sewing in a latex bag inside the pocket as well. I think higher end pipe pouches have latex liners in them...

Just spewing out ideas from the top of my head here :lol:

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Thanks, that's a good idea and I think it would be pretty easy to add. I'll try one like that.

Just my 2 bits...

I don't like latex. It's great at first but it has a tendency to dry out and crumble to dust over time. I hate that. I'd go with the thick plastic. Would be awesome if you had a heat sealer and could heat-seal a seam just inside of the stitch line on each side. You could also try leaving a plastic flap sticking up on one side, then maybe a guy could tuck the flap down over the top of the open end and slip it between the plastic and leather so it would help keep the baccy from spilling out.

Just a thought anyway...

Another thought: have you considered some other leather than cowhide? Pigskin is pretty supple and goat skin even more so. Might make for a less bulky roll. I believe you can get whole pig hides, tanned for pretty cheap.