Welcome to Leather Skills

...everything for leather work except the smell 

Leather Skills is your source for information on, as well as tools and supplies for, leather working. We carry the full line of Tandy Leather Factory products which include the finest names in the industry such as: Tandy, Feibing's, Lexol, Craftool, Craftaid, Al Stohlman Brand, Garland USA, Osborne, Tippmann and Tejas Lace. If you don't see it in our store, contact us and we'll be glad to get it for you—even the smell.

DVD: Introduction to Leather WorkingTo help beginning leather workers, we are pleased to offer Introduction to Leather Working, the first in our series of instructional "how to" DVD videos on leather crafting. In this hands-on video, master leathercrafter Al Manning takes you step-by-step through the creation of a hand crafted leather project, demonstrating the use of the basic tools for leather carving and stamping, dyeing and finishing a project.

"Al's instruction is awesome. He must've been a teacher. His instruction is specific...the camera work is excellent—the close ups show every detail."
—Gary Goodwin, satisfied customer

Running more than two and a half hours, Al's detailed instruction walks through every aspect of the process, teaching skills and methods that provide a solid foundation for nearly any hand-tooled leather project. The DVD's chapters allow you to easily choose a specific skill to learn or review so you can work at your own pace, which is especially helpful when working with a leather kit or custom-cut project.

Learn to tool, carve and stamp leather and create your own custom leather products for yourself or as gifts for others. The basic skills presented can be used to create a wallet, checkbook cover, planner or notebook cover, purse, belt, knife sheath, cell phone case, handbag, holster, DVD case, guitar strap, saddlebag, motorcycle tool pouch, custom flask, custom travel mug, or any other item you can craft from leather. Craft your own personalized work of leather art!

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where all orders of $25 or more include FREE DOMESTIC SHIPPING
(DVD also available at Amazon.com)


Albert “Al” Manning took up the hobby of leathercraft when stationed overseas with the U.S. Army in 1964. In addition to studying some of the many books available on the subject, he learned by observing the works and techniques of other leathercrafters. His own works run the gamut from belts and handbags to sheaths and a wide variety of cases, as well as special commissions for tooled coats of arms and a rodeo championship sash. As a Boy Scout, he earned the Leatherwork Merit Badge, and later, as an Eagle Scout he has served for many years as a Leatherwork Merit Badge instructor, introducing many Scouts to the joy of leatherwork. Recently, in keeping with his own Scottish heritage, he has focused on making tooled leather sporrans, kilt belts and knife sheaths featuring Celtic knotwork and zoomorphic patterns, many of his own creation.


DVD Chapters

Click links to view video clips (QuickTime files open in a new browser window)
Warning: the broadband clips are high-quality clips and will take some time to download. If you have problems with them, please try the smaller dial-up files.

• Introduction
Overview broadband (1.6MB) dial-up (195K)
Tools and Materials broadband (2.2MB) dial-up (198K)
• Transferring the Pattern
Carving the Pattern broadband (4.4MB) dial-up (419K)
Using the Swivel Knife broadband (2.6MB) dial-up (225K)
• Using the Camouflage Tool
Using the Beveler broadband (3.1MB) dial-up (363K)
Using the Veiner broadband (3.5MB) dial-up (360K)
Using the Pear Shader broadband (2.2MB) dial-up (250K)
• Using the Backgrounder
Using the Seeder broadband (2.9MB) dial-up (295K)
• Decorative Cuts
• Dyeing
Protective Finish broadband (2.0MB) dial-up (336K)
Lacing broadband (3.2MB) dial-up (398MB)
• Finishing
• Conclusion

Copyright © 2007 Leather Skills

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