This post is on the SM/Bondage/Fetish web board.
| Sat 19 Dec 09, 5:03 PM Fire_Hazard UK(L), 2 yrs  |
I wondering about attempting to make some of my own gear or customising some that I have already got. But I've no idea where I would get the materials etc from or where to learn the skills to do this. Some things might be fairly easy to locate, but things like locking buckles I wouldn't have thought would be. Are there suppliers out there where we can get out hands on these things and all the other things we would need to try this? Cheers FH |
| 19 Dec 09, 5:06 PM Jahc99 UK, 5 yrs |
Knock yerself out! http://www.leprevo.co.uk/ Why poison your liver when I could eat it for you? |
| 19 Dec 09, 5:15 PM Baron_Morgan UK(N), 6 yrs |
I was going to post some links, but that one really says it all. If you're at all skilled with your hands you'll soon pick it up, and leatherwork is basically about common sense and imagination, certainly far easier than rubber. I wasn't a fan of the tough black leather was just about the only style available in the 'eighties, but quickly found that making my own allowed me a huge choice of styles and textures, from soft, brightly coloured sheep's leather to ultra thick but supple bull's hide, also fittings in solid brass which are ideal for pony harness. A good cutting board is essential, by the way. |
| 19 Dec 09, 5:32 PM Belasarius UK(M), 8 yrs       |
The one thing I learnt (and this was just making some decent holes in her harness) was don't economise on your leatherpunch - the cheap ones are crap. Patience is bitter - but its fruit is sweet. |
| 19 Dec 09, 6:35 PM memorex_sub UK(EH), 2 yrs |
I will agree with Jah99 Le Prevo are very good and have all the kit yu will need. The most imortant thing is to get good quality leather as it makes a bit difference, but best to practise on cheaper leather to see how things go together before making the item you want in the good quality leather. Latigo is the best for restraints.
Edited 19 Dec 09, 6:40 PM by memorex_sub |
| 19 Dec 09, 9:08 PM KinkyRoly UK(OX), 3 yrs |
When cutting leather, you need the very sharpest blade possible. Buy a pack of ten Stanley knife blades and replace the blade frequently. One thing that some people find difficult is how to mark out leather for cutting and punching. The best way is to make a paper pattern and use a sharp point to poke through the centres of holes into the leather underneath. Use a steel rule to guide the blade when cutting. If you need to punch a row of holes for fastening a buckle, it looks crap if and of them are off centre or unevenly spaced. Using the hole punch, initially squeeze it against the leather so that it makes s shallow impression. Look at the impression and check that the mark is properly centred over the dot that defines the hole centre. If it's wrong, try again, the new pressure mark will over-write the old one. When it's right, align the punch carefully with the pressure mark and punch the hole. You should end up with a precision row of holes every time. Making patterns can be done by manually out paper, or if you have a suitable drawing application on your computer, you can create them that way and print them out. It also has the advantage that you can store patterns on the computer for later use. I had never worked leather before, but with a parcel full of straps and fittings from Le Prevo and a few hand tools, I was able to make a selection of very nice cuffs, collars and belts that have had a lot of use at our club. |
| 19 Dec 09, 9:20 PM Madame_Jude UK(ME), 4 yrs |
Use a scalpel - much more controllable than a stanley knife - craft shops stock them. Invest in a decent cutting mat and an aluminiom ruler. You can pick up cheap leather from charity shops or ebay, there are some good suppliers of fittings on ebay too.
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow – anon |
| 20 Dec 09, 12:00 AM KinkyRoly UK(OX), 3 yrs |
Actually, my weapon of choice for leatherwork is a single edged razor blade. But they're hard to find in the high street and can be very dangerous if not used with care. Because the thread was aimed at a newcomer, I suggested something that was more readily available and which works well. |
| 20 Dec 09, 12:18 AM Arceye UK(S), 7 yrs |
Can only further recommend LePrevo, and say that leatherwork is fun and relaxing. Oh and yes if you can obtain single edged razor blades they are very good. Edited 20 Dec 09, 12:19 AM by Arceye |
