I don't speak for Don or anybody else, but I am certain that he and most leather carvers/crafters/toolers/stampers, etc., would say that there isn't really a wrong way to do these things. In fact, some of them might tell you there's really no right way, either. As a matter of fact, Don here says several times throughout this series things like, "Now, this is how *I* do this, but others may do it *this* way, or *that* way. You might like to do it your own way," or "I like to use this wiggler tool, but you can use a veiner if you prefer that," and so forth. There are so many similar things to carving leather in tattooing, which I've done professionally now for 35 years, and what I'm saying here applies to tattooing, leather carving, pyrography (woodburning,) and pretty much every art and craft, and that is; learn what everybody else does, then do it the way that makes the most sense to you, and what gives you the best results. For me, one of the best ways to carve or stamp something is to take a remnant or piece of scrap leather, cut lines similar to the section you're working on, then try different *wrong* tools that might in your mind result in a better result than a traditional tool would. From the way Don talks in this video series, he not only uses several tools that are very different than are traditionally used, but has modified standard traditional ones that do a better, faster job of it...for him! And I guarantee that nobody told him to use different tools, at least not all of the ones he uses. Who knows, maybe after you try these techniques to replace the (so many things you've been doing wrong, you may decide that the way you've been doing it works better...for YOU! You never know, maybe doing some things "wrong" will identify you to leather crafters as your "signature style," just like the guys Don mentions in these videos!
You do fabulous tooling, and this is a marvelous piece. My wife and I have done leatherwork for decades, but we are attempting to learn floral tooling. I will need to review this series many times. Thanks for posting.
The most in depth tutorial series I've seen, great job and impressive work, so much depth. With less than 6 month of carving under my belt, I learned a lot from the videos, most importantly tool selection to proper usage that will improve my carving skills. Please take the project to completion showing the staining/dyeing, antiquing technics, and clear coat or sealing.
Don, my finished pattern doesn’t come close to looking like yours. Of course it’s my first time. The next one you do, I think having a completed pattern to look at while we are doing it from start to finish would really help teach the beginners what to look for. I did enjoy myself and I got compliments on my pattern. Best regards, Richard
I can't express how valuable these sessions have been to me. It is very daunting when you look at a piece of decorated/tooled leather and all you see if the completed project. The individual steps are a complete mystery until someone walks you through the process. You have done an excellent job with the rationale, explanation and the demonstration of the tooling in this pattern. Thank you very much for making us all better leather crafters. A True Craftsman does not hoard his knowledge and skills, but passes them on. Thank you for passing it on. Keep up the good work. Can't wait to see it stained and antiqued.
I"ve watched and watched each segment lots of times and learn something new each time. Would like to see the staining and finishing ASAP. Thanks again for all your work.
This series of videos has been so helpful. I have been scared to do any carving because I was afraid I would mess up. But it just takes lots of practice.
Don, thank you so much for your time with this wonderful series ... I have learnt so much and have lost some of the hesitation in wanting to do some of this work ...
Fantastic video series, as usual I have learned a lot and I thank you for explaining everything so even a person new to the craft can learn and advance his or her skills and techniques .......Thank you, You are very generous in the way you take the time from your busy schedule to give us the advantage of your knowledge.... I am looking forward seeing what comes next, I am sure I will be learning more from you...Thanks again.
Wow Don, there is a reason why I follow your work! Thank you for being simple, and straight on your description of all your videos. I learned a lot from them. Great job.
Phenominal work, great tutorial series. Ideas for a few more would be a feww types of knife sheaves, game bags for hunting/ bushcraft etc. Arrow quivers, flyfishing reel covers. Even some leather book binding/covers.
Really a great series Don. I would love to see you take this and make an E book out of it, with some pictures (just captures for the video) and perhaps some expanded comment. But primarily just to have a bench reference with the sequence order ect. I think it would really enhance this already wonderful learning tool you have provided.
I have a video request. Would you be able to walk a beginner though what to look for in good leather work? What raises the quality? For example, elements that professionals include in their work or what depth to look for. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge!!!
Great series. If you do another one, think you could show the drawing of them? I have your ebook and am trying to learn to draw my own patterns, but still getting hung up on finishing circles and transitions. Really appreciate the content you bring.
Hi Don, I am making a carved panel for a bag I'm making for a friend. The piece will include flowers, leaves and a hedgehog. The instructions were great on your video for floral work, but what tool would you use to make the spines on a hedgehog?
Hi, thank you so much for posting these videos! I've learned so much. I just took a tooling class at Tandy Leather yesterday. 🙂 Thank you so much for including the pattern for us! I'm curious, what did you do with this beautiful creation? Hopefully you didn't just throw it away, far too beautiful for that.
The vast majority of people who use strops claim that the grain (smooth) side is best, but I get more or less the same results with either side. But I do have some food for thought... The flesh (rough) side of leather can load up (hold,) more rouge (or compound) if you prefer that gel than the grain side can hold, but most people agree that the rough side "rounds" the blade's edge more than the smooth side does. Personally, I use the smooth side unless I'm out and don't have a strop handy, in which case I just remove my belt, step on the tongue with my heel, pull the belt right with my left hand, then strop it back and forth several times. Works like a charm.
Great series Don! I have a question though. In the flower on the lower left, the extreme left side of the top petal wasn't undercut. Is that on purpose or an whoops?
I just bought Barry's set of Sheridan tools and these video was essential. Thanks so much for these videos,
now we gots to see it oiled and antiqued. dont leave us hangin brother
I've been watching this series for awhile ! Fantastic instruction ..... Thank you Don !
Loved the series. Its great to learn from a master
I love your videos! Thank you for taking time to explain in such detail. This is really helpful. I’m learning a ton.
I’ve been doing leather tooling for more than 10 yrs (self taught) and I learned a lot from these tooling series. Thank you.
Cheers, Don. Really enjoyed this series. Learned heaps and am inspired to start tooling my own leather guitar straps!
I have thoroughly enjoyed your series on floral patterns. Thanks for the free PDF. I look forward to more videos.
Bro that is awesome! Great tutorial your teaching style is the best.
Excellent video series.
This is has been so helpful, many things I didn't realize I was doing wrong
I don't speak for Don or anybody else, but I am certain that he and most leather carvers/crafters/toolers/stampers, etc., would say that there isn't really a wrong way to do these things. In fact, some of them might tell you there's really no right way, either. As a matter of fact, Don here says several times throughout this series things like, "Now, this is how *I* do this, but others may do it *this* way, or *that* way. You might like to do it your own way," or "I like to use this wiggler tool, but you can use a veiner if you prefer that," and so forth.
There are so many similar things to carving leather in tattooing, which I've done professionally now for 35 years, and what I'm saying here applies to tattooing, leather carving, pyrography (woodburning,) and pretty much every art and craft, and that is; learn what everybody else does, then do it the way that makes the most sense to you, and what gives you the best results. For me, one of the best ways to carve or stamp something is to take a remnant or piece of scrap leather, cut lines similar to the section you're working on, then try different *wrong* tools that might in your mind result in a better result than a traditional tool would. From the way Don talks in this video series, he not only uses several tools that are very different than are traditionally used, but has modified standard traditional ones that do a better, faster job of it...for him! And I guarantee that nobody told him to use different tools, at least not all of the ones he uses. Who knows, maybe after you try these techniques to replace the (so many things you've been doing wrong, you may decide that the way you've been doing it works better...for YOU! You never know, maybe doing some things "wrong" will identify you to leather crafters as your "signature style," just like the guys Don mentions in these videos!
Wow, that was a truly exceptional series. You are a true craftsman. Thank you
Don, this has been extremely helpful for floral beginners! Thank you
Ditto.
Man ,I truly like the Barry King lifters ! This whole series was excellent . Thank you Don
Wow! I have a whole new appreciation for professional tooling! I'm just getting started, so I'm grateful for your series.
You do fabulous tooling, and this is a marvelous piece. My wife and I have done leatherwork for decades, but we are attempting to learn floral tooling. I will need to review this series many times. Thanks for posting.
I'm just starting out in leatherworking and these videos have been very educational! Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
How nice of you to take time out of your busy schedule to make this very informative and helpful video! Thanks Rodney
Really got a lot out of this series! Thank you Don
Great Videos Don, Your teaching process is great...
This series of videos has been brilliant,been waiting for each one to come out!...Thanks.
Good job! Very articulate!
The most in depth tutorial series I've seen, great job and impressive work, so much depth. With less than 6 month of carving under my belt, I learned a lot from the videos, most importantly tool selection to proper usage that will improve my carving skills. Please take the project to completion showing the staining/dyeing, antiquing technics, and clear coat or sealing.
I absolutely loved this series. I really learned a lot. Thanks for teaching us your craft.
Don, my finished pattern doesn’t come close to looking like yours. Of course it’s my first time. The next one you do, I think having a completed pattern to look at while we are doing it from start to finish would really help teach the beginners what to look for. I did enjoy myself and I got compliments on my pattern. Best regards, Richard
I can't express how valuable these sessions have been to me. It is very daunting when you look at a piece of decorated/tooled leather and all you see if the completed project. The individual steps are a complete mystery until someone walks you through the process. You have done an excellent job with the rationale, explanation and the demonstration of the tooling in this pattern. Thank you very much for making us all better leather crafters. A True Craftsman does not hoard his knowledge and skills, but passes them on. Thank you for passing it on. Keep up the good work. Can't wait to see it stained and antiqued.
Awesome series. Enjoyed watching and learned a lot.
I"ve watched and watched each segment lots of times and learn something new each time. Would like to see the staining and finishing ASAP. Thanks again for all your work.
This series of videos has been so helpful. I have been scared to do any carving because I was afraid I would mess up. But it just takes lots of practice.
Thanks again for your time, it’s great to work along with you on this project!
I really enjoyed this series! Thank you! I especially appreciate that you spend so much time explaining the techniques.
Don, thank you so much for your time with this wonderful series ... I have learnt so much and have lost some of the hesitation in wanting to do some of this work ...
Thank you for taking the time to put together this series, it really helped my tooling and answered allot of questiones that I had.
Learned alot. Devil always in details is a certainty. Many thanks.
Agreed, this has been great Don. Thank you.
Fantastic. I really enjoyed this series and look forward to more material in the future!!
Fantastic video series, as usual I have learned a lot and I thank you for explaining everything so even a person
new to the craft can learn and advance his or her skills and techniques .......Thank you, You are very generous in
the way you take the time from your busy schedule to give us the advantage of your knowledge.... I am looking forward
seeing what comes next, I am sure I will be learning more from you...Thanks again.
This was a fantastic series! Please do more in the future. Very much appreciated.
Love it Don, it's absolutely beautiful! So much to learn....and you explain everything so well. Great work!!!!
Great series on tooling.
Barry got a decent order from me LOL Thanks for doing this!
Wow Don, there is a reason why I follow your work! Thank you for being simple, and straight on your description of all your videos. I learned a lot from them. Great job.
Excellent series!
Great job! Really helped a lot! Thanks so much!
Thanks, Don. Very helpful.
One of a kind series ever think of offering a roper style wallet pattern pack
This is a great video, absolutely do more video's like this.
Love this. I'm always still trying to get spacing from one circle to another. I will either crowed or leave enough room to put in a freeway.
Great series Don, and thanks for the PDF
Phenominal work, great tutorial series. Ideas for a few more would be a feww types of knife sheaves, game bags for hunting/ bushcraft etc. Arrow quivers, flyfishing reel covers. Even some leather book binding/covers.
very helpful, learned alot. would like to see antiqued. thanks so much for sharing
Really a great series Don. I would love to see you take this and make an E book out of it, with some pictures (just captures for the video) and perhaps some expanded comment. But primarily just to have a bench reference with the sequence order ect. I think it would really enhance this already wonderful learning tool you have provided.
Thank You again.
Perfect!!! I like your kind of tooling and your style...
One tiny idea, could you make a video of "how to draw" like these step by by step series?
Thanks for the videos don helps alot
Gracias por dejar ese legado
Fantastic demonstration, Don. I'll be sharing this over on leatherworker.net. Great series. Thank you.
Question: Can you stop anytime, or is it obvious? Looks like antique furniture, love it ! Could it be inlaid on a coffee table?
Thank you.
I have a video request. Would you be able to walk a beginner though what to look for in good leather work? What raises the quality? For example, elements that professionals include in their work or what depth to look for. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge!!!
Great series. If you do another one, think you could show the drawing of them? I have your ebook and am trying to learn to draw my own patterns, but still getting hung up on finishing circles and transitions. Really appreciate the content you bring.
Do you prefer a specific brand of tools? I've broken a few backgrounders because they are soldered together. Thank you.
Hi Don, I am making a carved panel for a bag I'm making for a friend. The piece will include flowers, leaves and a hedgehog. The instructions were great on your video for floral work, but what tool would you use to make the spines on a hedgehog?
Where in Central Texas are you located? I’m in Abilene, and I’m interested in learning how to get into leather working mainly to build guitar straps.
Hi, thank you so much for posting these videos! I've learned so much. I just took a tooling class at Tandy Leather yesterday. 🙂 Thank you so much for including the pattern for us! I'm curious, what did you do with this beautiful creation? Hopefully you didn't just throw it away, far too beautiful for that.
Excellent job! Could you do the same carving with human or animal figures on leather?
BEAUTIFULLLLLL
Thank you for this series, Don. It's so very helpful! Which is the best side of the leather to strop on?
The vast majority of people who use strops claim that the grain (smooth) side is best, but I get more or less the same results with either side. But I do have some food for thought...
The flesh (rough) side of leather can load up (hold,) more rouge (or compound) if you prefer that gel than the grain side can hold, but most people agree that the rough side "rounds" the blade's edge more than the smooth side does. Personally, I use the smooth side unless I'm out and don't have a strop handy, in which case I just remove my belt, step on the tongue with my heel, pull the belt right with my left hand, then strop it back and forth several times. Works like a charm.
thank you sir
Great series Don! I have a question though. In the flower on the lower left, the extreme left side of the top petal wasn't undercut. Is that on purpose or an whoops?
Fantastic! I sure hope you can sell this piece. It's art in its own right. Would you call this Sheridan style or Gonzalez style?
Hey Don - Are your lifters the “extra steep” ones Barry makes? Or are they just the standard ones? Thank you...
Is it childish of me to say, 'I hope I can be this awesome, someday '?
You don’t bother the ribbon vines, as far as decorative cuts?
Would be nice to see how you dye the background, add antique and tan kote
Do you make spur straps?
Not that it matters a lot, but Tandy calls them lifters too.
Where can I get those patterns
Watching this series..How many people keep thinking well he just screwed that up.. and 2 minutes later say.. oh.. that looks ausome?
Everybody has their terminology but what I've usually heard is that the tool is called a "lifter" and what is does is called an "undercut." YMMV.
Hang that in a art gallery.
You completely missed detailing the leaf in the middle, the video is fantastic besides that.