Some Questions About Cases and Leather Work

kvinbrwr

kvinbrwr

Skee Ball Monster Playa
Gold Member
I've seen several guys make cues and have a decent understanding of that process, but I'm a little confused about how cases are made, or rather, how they are decorated.

Way way way back in the 60s, I had some "hand tooled" belts made with Marijuana leaves tooled into the leather. The craftsmen had hammers and some stamping punch tools (about 1/4 inch in diameter) which they used to "press down" the leather, thus forming the design. I assume that that is still the process today?

If that's the case, I'm wondering why so many of the hand tooled cases we see today have floral designs? I mean if you look at the avatars that pool players choose to decorate their own posts, almost none choose flowers. We are we all not running around with cases decorated with nude women, or dogs, or whatever?

I can think of several reasons, but I'm wondering if maybe I misunderstand the process and perhaps the hand tooling is done with a less free-form process than I remember it? Perhaps they are pressing the leather with big floral stamps and are limited to what's available?

Thanks

Kevin
 
I hear a distant moan

6,500 miles from here a man is lamenting that he cannot give you this answer.

But if he has your e-mail get ready.
 
Lonestar_jim said:
6,500 miles from here a man is lamenting that he cannot give you this answer.

But if he has your e-mail get ready.
Click to expand...

That's funny. I was actually thinking this might be a bad time to ask, but its also a chance foe me to not have to shift through 100s of "US is great China sucks" messages to try and get to understanding.
 
kvinbrwr said:
..... I'm wondering why so many of the hand tooled cases we see today have floral designs? .....
Click to expand...

Hopefully one of the leather experts responds.

But if I had to guess, it could be many initially learned the Sheridan floral pattern style. I believe that style started in the west with saddles and other leather goods. There are books with Sheridan style patterns for people learning to carve.

It is nice to see more and more people with artistic design ability, choosing leather carving.
 
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Lonestar_jim said:
6,500 miles from here a man is lamenting that he cannot give you this answer.

But if he has your e-mail get ready.
Click to expand...

lmao....oh I am sure there is a way for a post to appear here from a random s/n that is an "expert" (Join Date: August 30).
 
ronscuba said:
Hopefully one of the leather experts responds.

But if I had to guess, it could be many initially learned the Sheridan floral pattern style. I believe that style started in the west with saddles and other leather goods.
Click to expand...

But they are free-hand right? I mean they could tool anything they were skilled enough for? Its not like they are tooling trough stencils or something is it?
 
I will try to answer this. Western floral and Sheridan style in particular have been a standard in hand tooling with saddle and tack makers forever and thats where most hand tooling has been used as other products are added some of the traditional style remains. That said I will tool whatever the customer requests into their case and so will a number of other custom case makers. I hope that was close enough answer without writing a book.

Monty
 
quadrary said:
I will try to answer this. Western floral and Sheridan style in particular have been a standard in hand tooling with saddle and tack makers forever and thats where most hand tooling has been used as other products are added some of the traditional style remains. That said I will tool whatever the customer requests into their case and so will a number of other custom case makers. I hope that was close enough answer without writing a book.

Monty
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Monty

Yup that answers. So its just tradition. I know cue makers, whether its CNC or pantograph are somewhat limited in the inlays they can cut and I was wondering if it was like that.

Kevin
 
kvinbrwr said:
Monty

Yup that answers. So its just tradition. I know cue makers, whether its CNC or pantograph are somewhat limited in the inlays they can cut and I was wondering if it was like that.

Kevin
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That said my case has a woman on the back.
 
Flowers.

kvinbrwr said:
I've seen several guys make cues and have a decent understanding of that process, but I'm a little confused about how cases are made, or rather, how they are decorated.

Way way way back in the 60s, I had some "hand tooled" belts made with Marijuana leaves tooled into the leather. The craftsmen had hammers and some stamping punch tools (about 1/4 inch in diameter) which they used to "press down" the leather, thus forming the design. I assume that that is still the process today?

If that's the case, I'm wondering why so many of the hand tooled cases we see today have floral designs? I mean if you look at the avatars that pool players choose to decorate their own posts, almost none choose flowers. We are we all not running around with cases decorated with nude women, or dogs, or whatever?

I can think of several reasons, but I'm wondering if maybe I misunderstand the process and perhaps the hand tooling is done with a less free-form process than I remember it? Perhaps they are pressing the leather with big floral stamps and are limited to what's available?

Thanks

Kevin
Click to expand...

Floral designs are traditional and pretty. Which is harder to draw? Rectangle, triangle, diamond, lightning bolt or flower. Sort of a demonstration of skill. Why do cue makers do veneered points? Not functionality for sure. Shows their skill and are pretty. Sharp and even shows more skill. Leathermakers can also use plastic stencils to push into the leather when wet. Still cutting into the lines with a knife but gives some help. The cheap leather belt you buy with pictures of deer and fish is embossed. Stamped not carved. That's why it's $23. Stamps are still used on the flower but the main flower is carved. Hope this helps. All my opinion, not a pro leather maker.
 
Mr. Wiggles said:
Floral designs are traditional and pretty. Which is harder to draw? Rectangle, triangle, diamond, lightning bolt or flower. Sort of a demonstration of skill. Why do cue makers do veneered points? Not functionality for sure. Shows their skill and are pretty. Sharp and even shows more skill. Leathermakers can also use plastic stencils to push into the leather when wet. Still cutting into the lines with a knife but gives some help. The cheap leather belt you buy with pictures of deer and fish is embossed. Stamped not carved. That's why it's $23. Stamps are still used on the flower but the main flower is carved. Hope this helps. All my opinion, not a pro leather maker.
Click to expand...

Yes that's what I was looking for. Just like with cue-making, it sounds as if there is tradition, and varying degrees of hand-done-ness.
 
floral decoration is a common theme in all art forms. Embellishment of all prize things ( Significant buildings, monuments, transportation, firearms...etc...) is to add to their value and beauty, and most folks agree that flowers are pretty, and seen in all environments. Many artisans carve portrait style figures as well. (that boris Karloff Frankenstein that eastwood bloke did is very nicely done) The answer to the question is Tradition. Not just western u.s. tradition, but, all throughout history and geography, and all mediums and disciplines.
 
I would say that the traditional Sheridan style is amongst the favourites for most clients... I personally prefer some tribal themes... Also samurai themes are in huge demand.... There is allot of nice stuff coming out from allot of leather workers
 
To give a brief tutorial, you have to start wih a design. Some leather workers buy templates, or use public domain art. It's always best to draw your own IMO. You can draw right onto the leather with an awl, or on tracing paper. You then use an awl or a stylus to emboss the outline onto the leather. From there you carve the design into the leather with a swivel knife. After its cut, you use various types and shapes of stamps to tool and shape the leather to give it depth, detail and dimension. It's a lengthy process that takes a very steady hand and a lot of practice to turn out a good looking product.
Here are some of the tools to carve leather, and a case design I'm refining right now.
Chuck
 

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