Leather Crafting Library Reference.

Chako · **on:** August 10, 2017, 04:25:43 AM

I thought it might be helpful if I made a thread about the various leather crafting books that I own. This way, others could decide on what book might be useful for their needs. Like other postings that I have created, I will give you my thoughts on the book in questiont.

First up...

A little info on Al & Ann Stohlman...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_and_Ann_Stohlman

How To Carve Leather by Al Stohlman - 48 pages.
copyright 1952, Craftool Co.

This catch all book is an excellent for beginners as well as advanced users as it will teach you the basics as well as give you many different projects you can create ranging from wallets, belts, and purses. The book give you good information as well as the patterns for all of these projects.

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Chako · **Reply #1 on:** August 10, 2017, 04:39:50 AM

Ken Griffin's Scrap Book by Ken Griffin - 40 pages.
Copyright 1952, Craftool Co.

No longer in publication, but if you can find this vintage book, it is well worth the trouble. Plenty of good information and interesting projects with full size patterns. In fact, the gun belt pattern I want to work on comes from this largish 18" x 14" book. The patterns found in this book differ nicely from the more common Stohlman patterns and style. A worthwhile book to have in ones leather crafting collection.

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Chako · **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2017, 04:45:40 AM

Craftool Tech -Tips by Al Stohlman - 20 pages.
Copyright 1969, Craftool Co.

This book is all about learning the various stamping tools and swivel knife, and how to effectively use them.

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Chako · **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2017, 04:54:10 AM

Inverted Leather Carving by Al Stohlman - 49 pages.
Copyright 1961, Craftool Co.

This book offers a wide variety of examples, and tracing patterns for various projects, all centered around the concept of inverted leather carving. This books centers around inverted carving, silhouettes, and rough-outs. All are different methods of burying designs below the surface of the leather.

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Chako · **Reply #4 on:** August 10, 2017, 04:57:38 AM

Belts Galore (No. 42) by Al Stohlman - 33 pages.
Copyright 1962, Craftool Co.

Probably one of the best belt books out there. This book will teach you everything you need to know about producing belts, including how to measure and custom fit them.

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Chako · **Reply #5 on:** August 10, 2017, 05:06:53 AM

Figure Carving by Al Stohlman - 25 pages.
No copyright date, Craftool Co.

This book teaches the reader how to do figure carving, giving a good instruction on how to draw mostly western and outdoor things, how to use the stamping tools, etc...

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Chako · **Reply #6 on:** August 10, 2017, 05:11:28 AM

The Leather Craft handbook by Tony Laier & Kay Laier - 31 pages.
Copyright 2007, Tandy leather Factory.

This small sized book gives you a good background on the basics of leather crafting. Topics range from how to properly case (wet) the leather, carving/tooling, to lacing and stitching techniques.

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Chako · **Reply #7 on:** August 10, 2017, 05:16:03 AM

The Art of Embossing Leather by Al & Ann Stohlman - 85 pages.
Copyright 1986, Tandy Leather Company.

This book is for advanced leather crafters. The book gives an exhaustive look at how to make leather pop out, which is the opposite of inverted leather crafting.

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Chako · **Reply #8 on:** August 10, 2017, 05:19:56 AM

Stohlman Step-by-Step by Peter Main - 25 pages.
Copyright 2004, Tandy Leather Company.

This book focuses on how to carve oak leaves, various flower patterns, and throws in a few tracing patterns for good measure.

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Chako · **Reply #9 on:** August 10, 2017, 05:24:11 AM

Basketweave Primer by unknown - 20 pages.
Copyright 1996, Tandy Leather Company.

A small but very informative book on how to use the various basketweaving stamps.

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Chako · **Reply #10 on:** August 10, 2017, 05:31:37 AM

The Art of making Leather Cases by Al Stohlman - 120 pages.
Copyright 1979, Tandy Leather Company.

Part of a 3 volume set, volume 1 deals mostly with smaller cases such as knife sheaths, ammo cases, checkbooks, camera cases, and even a thermos bottle case. Volume 2/3 deals with larger cases. I bought volume 1 because it was more relevant to what I needed. The more complex the case, the more advanced the leather worker needs to be.

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Chako · **Reply #11 on:** August 10, 2017, 05:35:06 AM

Projects & Designs by Al Stohlman - 80 pages.
Copyright 1972, Tandy Leather Company.

This book is jam packed with all sorts of designs and projects ranging from simple key holders to purses. An excellent resource with plenty of ideas.

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sak60 · **Reply #12 on:** August 10, 2017, 05:39:49 AM

Thanks Chako this is really useful. #7 and the Vol. 1 leather cases looks really interesting.

Chako · **Reply #13 on:** August 10, 2017, 05:40:27 AM

A First Book of Leatherworking by Paul Villiard - 120 pages.
Copyright 1972, Longman Canada Limited.

This book will teach you everything from selecting the right leather to making things from leather, and how to use the tools to do it. Not the most entertaining book as it contains very few illustrations, but the info is good.

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Chako · **Reply #14 on:** August 10, 2017, 05:40:50 AM

You are welcome.

Chako · **Reply #15 on:** August 10, 2017, 05:44:22 AM

Just Tooling Around - Easy-To-Do Leather Stamping by Ben Moody - 28 pages.
Copyright 1994, Hot Off The Press Inc.

A beginner book on simple designs using stamps. The book also contains instructions to do some entry level leather projects.

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Chako · **Reply #16 on:** August 10, 2017, 05:48:56 AM

Coloring Leather by Al Stohlman - 53 pages.
Copyright 1985, Tandy Leather Company.

An advanced book about colouring leather, including extensive dye mixing charts, examples, techniques, and finishes.

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Chako · **Reply #17 on:** August 10, 2017, 05:51:28 AM

How To Lace (New Revised Edition) - 14 pages.
Copyright 1947, The Leather Factory, Inc.

Contains step by step instructions for all your lacing and sewing needs.

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Chako · **Reply #18 on:** August 10, 2017, 05:56:17 AM

Leatherwork Manual by Al Stohlman, A.D. Patten, and J.A. Wilson - 160 pages.
Copyright 1969, Tandy leather Company.

A must have book that teaches a beginner everything about leather crafting including a few projects such as a purse and wallet. I have two copies, the older, as well as a newly revised version which dates to 1984.

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Chako · **Reply #19 on:** August 10, 2017, 05:59:35 AM

The Art of Hand Sewing Leather by Al Stohlman - 69 pages.
Copyright 1977, The Leather Factory.

Another excellent book about everything one would want to know about hand stitching including many different techniques utilizes in saddle making.

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Chako · **Reply #20 on:** August 10, 2017, 06:03:30 AM

The Leatherworking Handbook by Valerie Michael - 128 pages.
Copyright 1993, A Cassell Book, Sterling Publishing Company.

Comprehensive how to for the advanced user. Included are several intermediate and advanced leather projects.

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Chako · **Reply #21 on:** August 10, 2017, 06:07:00 AM

Leathercraft by Fred W. Zimmerman (Build-a-Course General Shop Series) - 96 pages.
Copyright 1969, The Goodheart-Willcox Co.

Another catch all primer on general leathercrafting from how to use tools to several project offerings.

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Chako · **Reply #22 on:** August 10, 2017, 06:10:37 AM

Leathercraft Lacing and Saddle Stitching Book Three by Gick- 17 pages.
Copyright 1958, Pacific Arts and Crafts

One of the best books on lacing and saddle stitching due to the clear and concise step by step instructions and illustrations.

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Chako · **Reply #23 on:** August 10, 2017, 06:13:48 AM

Figure Carginv Finesse by Al Stohlman - 133 pages.
Copyright 1982, The Tandy Leather Company.

A book that will teach the leathercrafter the finer points of figure carving. More for the advanced practitioner.

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Chako · **Reply #24 on:** August 10, 2017, 06:17:07 AM

Leatherwork by A.D. Patten, A. Stohlman, J.A. Wilson - 29 pages.
Copyright 1969, Tandy Leather Company.

An excellent beginners leathercrafting introduction book, but the information found in this will help anyone at all skill levels. Better than the following book titled Basic Leathercraft.

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Chako · **Reply #25 on:** August 10, 2017, 06:19:51 AM

Basic Leathercraft - 37 pages.
Copyright 1982, Tandy Leather Company

Another introductory book on leathercrafting. Not as good as the previous text, but does contain a lot of good basic information that should get anyone up and running.

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MadPlumbarian · **Reply #26 on:** August 10, 2017, 06:22:23 AM

Are we in a leatherly mood?
JR

Chako · **Reply #27 on:** August 10, 2017, 06:23:02 AM

Pictorial Carving Finesse by Al Stohlman - 73 pages.
Copyright 1980, Tandy Leather Company.

Another book for the advanced practitioner focusing on pictorial carving focusing on outdoor natural scenes with animals and vehicles.

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Chako · **Reply #28 on:** August 10, 2017, 06:24:14 AM

You could say that...still in the process of moving my leather workstation from upstairs to downstairs. Thought someone might appreciate what is out there in regards to leathercrafting books. I have a somewhat not bad assortment of them.

Chako · **Reply #29 on:** August 10, 2017, 06:28:57 AM

Lucky Seven - 33 pages.

Another starter book aimed at the classroom or beginner who wants to do wallets. Contains a lot of good basic info on leathercrafting along with patterns.

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