YOUR Leather Craft Questions, Answered!
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- čas přidán 4. 07. 2024
- You asked me 1,000s of questions, so I'm answering a handful here!
32 most asked leather (and Leather business) related questions are answered here.
"Answering Your Most Asked Leather Questions! - (EASY! . . . Right?!)"
Let's call it, "Hey Mascon! Pt. 1"!!
If you have more questions that aren't answered in this video, type them in the comments and I'll gather them up for the next session!
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The questions in this video:
- Intro -
Hey Mascon,
1. Is Mascon your first or last name?
- Leather -
2. I would like to hear how you select, purchase, and care for your leather.
3. Where do you buy your leather?
4. How do you determine the style of leather you want to go with for a specific design?
5. As far as patina over time which leather (color shade) do you prefer from Horween dublin line? Olde English, English tan or Brown nut?
6. Why horween Dublin leather only? What about W&C?
7. If Horween quit making leather today, what tannage would you go with?
8. Do you apply any balms, waxes, or finishes prior to shipping?
9. What ounce (thickness) makes a wallet too thick or too thin?
- Design -
10. How do you go about coming up with a new wallet design? Do you look back through your past wallets and try to make them better?
11. Where do you get your patterns from?
12. When you're laying out a new wallet pattern, how do you plan out your stitching holes to make sure your card pocket edges land between holes? Is there a science to the madness?
13. What’s the biggest bag you've done?
- Business / Branding / Marketing -
14. How do you handle the business and tax side of mascon leather?
15. What is your best selling Wallet design?
16. How do you get all those models from all over the globe for your T-shirt photos?
17. Is it true that Chloe is indeed the 'best girl’?
18. What is some advice for marketing, or getting your work seen.
19. What’s with the $2.00 bills in your marketing, photos, videos?
20. How much cash do you keep on hand in $2 bills?
21. Do you have some tips for taking great photos of what you’ve made (to really show it off)?
22. Olivia…. More on her? Anything on her?
- Tools -
23. What grit drums are you running on your dremmel?
24. Do you happen to know any method of sharpening French style chisels? How do you sharpen your arc punches?
25. What tool would you use if there were not chisels? an awl? A rounded hole punch chisel?
- Ordering / availability -
26. You’ve probably answered this already but explain your lead times.
27. Is there a way to get a Mascon item any sooner?
- The Craft / Techniques / edges / etc -
28. Why leather and not some other material to use in making stuff?
29. What advice would you give a beginner getting into leather?
30. Do you ever do raw veg tan work? Ex: Swivel knife designs, tooling, dyeing,
etc.
31. Do you ever dye leather? Why don't or do you?
32. (White Mud, etc.) - I went to the leather store and asked them for proprietary go........ The guy laughed and said I love Mascon videos too!!! Then tried to sell me blinker fluid for my car.
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Links:
Horween:
www.horween.com/
The Tannery Row:
www.thetanneryrow.com/
Acadia Leather:
www.acadialeather.com
Thoroughbred Leather:
thoroughbre...
Tasman Group:
www.tasmanusa.com
Master Series Square:
zeebeeleather.com/tool-shop/l...
Master Series Centering Rule:
zeebeeleather.com/tool-shop/l...
Bump jigs:
zeebeeleather.com/shop/mascon-...
Handcrafted leather roughers!
zeebeeleather.com/tool-shop/r...
Arc jigs:
zeebeeleather.com/shop/mascon-...
White Mud:
tokonole.com
Shop Anvil:
zeebeeleather.com/tool-shop/s...
Brass 1/2” thick bump jig bar (“chunky bar”):
zeebeeleather.com/tool-shop/o...
Dremel:
amzn.to/3ASX94Z
Dremel EZ Mandrel:
amzn.to/3AOCHCf
Dremel 60 grit drums:
amzn.to/3P9eyL2
Dremel 120 grit drums:
amzn.to/3aNG1Tw
Amazon Storefront:
Direct to Amazon storefront - www.amazon.com/shop/masconlea...
Jack Russell - Chloe Shell
Mason, Mascon Forge - mascon_forge?ig...
Nick, Mascon Turnings - mascon_turnings...
Lilly, Artsy Artist - artsyartist.d.s...
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Follow me:
Instagram:
/ masconleather
Facebook:
/ masconleather
Website:
www.masconleather.com/
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(Disclaimer: Some of the items here are Amazon affiliate links, which means if you purchase an item with the provided links, I get a small commission of the sale, at no added cost to you, which helps to keep this channel up and running. Thanks for the support!)
For sponsorship information, please contact me directly.
Have Fun!!!! - Jak na to + styl
Every time you’ve said “that deserves its own video” can you make said video? I’ve just found your channel and you are an absolute wealth of information and your delivery is immaculate. I fear I’ll run out of your videos to binge!
😆
Thanks !!! Yes. I have tons of videos to make. The issue is, they take 1-2 solid weeks to film and edit, while I’m also fulfilling leather orders.
Time management. Stick with me. And thanks for watching!
As someone that does photgraphy, I wanna let people no something. If you dont have a camera.. you're fine. If you just have your phone, learn how to use lighting to your advantage. Create texture in the image but make sure your subject is the focus. Make the photos eye catching. Great video, Sir! I'm slowly getting into the craft and always love seeing a new vid from you.
100% true. Honestly? 95% of my photos are from the iPhone. I shoot all videos on an iPhone. I edit all photos on iPad. Edit all videos on iPad. You do NOT need expensive gear. I should have said that more in the video. You’re correct.
Just today I saw on another YT video a comment that said “A boring day is a day with nothing new learned.” Today is now definitely not a boring day.
Thank you for sharing so much info. I’ll be saving this and referencing often I’m sure.
Thanks for that! And thanks for watching!!
I'm new to leather work and in a short time you have answered so many questions. You are an asset to the craft. Thank you!!
You absolutely made my whole week by using my comment about the goo and blinker fluid in another perfectly executed video!! Blessings to you and your family for all that you guys contribute to make the world a better place one handcrafted piece at a time. Greg from Hamtramck Michigan 🙏
Thanks for the great question! And thanks for watching!
Fantastic Video, Artie! Thank you for taking the time to answer all of these questions. I’m already looking forward to the next one. 😊
Awe! Thanks, Christine!! And thanks for all the continued support! As usual!
Artie, thank you !! This was tremendous helpful. You are the reason I’m hooked on leather craft. As I’m sure many of us are. Thanks again!
Awe! Thanks for that! And for watching!
5:31
“… … sure…yea… I’ve tried sum stuff…”
The camera pan during that always cracks me up.
😆
Excellent! Beginner to expert we all benefit from these q & a's. Thank you for this one and the shop tour. Well done sir.
Thanks for that!! And thanks for watching!!
Happy Friday! Just wanted to say thank you, my young children and I love watching your videos. They are soothing and inspiring. Keep up the great work!!
You are so welcome!
This is perfect.. love your work. Thank you so much
Thank you, sir!
Wow! Thanks for sharing so much knowledge in one vid. You're great Art. Always love your work.
Thanks for that! And for watching!
Awesome vid Artie! Keep ‘Em coming! 🔥🔥🔥
Yay!!! Thanks!!! And more always coming !
Great video! Thanks for including my question. Great way to end the week.
No problem!!! Thanks for watching and supporting!
Excellent video, great info. Keep 'em coming. Take care.
Thanks, Gregg!! And thanks for watching!!
Ok, now I feel like Ralphie from “A Christmas Storey” Tokenole! That’s the secret message! A crummy Japanese product! Just kidding, I use it too. I could have sworn it was going to have something to do with whiskey or bourbon. Anywho, great video, I got a lot out of it. Thanks.
😆
My wife’s favorite movie.
And trust me …. Whiskey was used often.
🥃
Perfect video. As usual. You inspire me for leahercraft. Thank you, Artie!)
Perfect! That’s all I wanted !
Thanks for watching!
I love your videos...get my popcorn from the begining of this one...😊
Thanks ! And thanks for watching!! Enjoy the show !
I started watching your videos about 3 years ago, best thing I ever did, anyway I learned a little more on every one of them, I have a J R dog too , he’s 15 years old , sorry for your loss, have a happy new year and all that Jazz “ lol , good to see you back! Thanks!
Thank you!!
As usual "Mascon Style"is informative and entertaining! Thank you!
Thanks !!
Thanks Artie! Awesome video as usual!
Thanks for that! And for watching!
Great video.
Thank you.
Thank you !
great advices! your my new idol. 👋🤟
Thanks for sharing so much knowledge. I’ve learned a ton from your channel and am having a blast making wallets for friends / family.
Perfect!!! Thanks! And thanks for watching!!
This was great. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent information! Thank you!
Thanks’b
Great video, I really enjoy watching your video. Great job!!!!!!!!!
Thanks! And thanks for watching!
Thanks for the help
Absolutely!!
Really good stuff, I am a couple of years on my leatherwork journey and now make wallets, belts, dog collars and leads and a few bags that I feel are good enough to sell.
I arrived at Tokonole early - it was just a good product and as you say its does disappear down the bottle quick.
I also enjoy the challenge of pattern making, the three-D thinking to work out how an idea can become reality. I often look at other workers leather for ideas and inspiration and enjoy thinking of the production process, the order of how you put it together. Ive recently made a few accordion card holders, wallets and purses, the order of manufacture was a real challenge.
I would extend a big thank you to you for being so open with your advice, ideas, and how to's - not everyone is so open, many want payment are accolades for the same thing. I was particular interested with your ideas on branding and marketing.
Your product is exceptional, keep on doing what your doing!
Thanks for all of that !
Great stuff thanks Artie!
Thanks and thanks for watching!
What is good cheap leather to practice with? I want to get into this, but I do not want to spend a lot of money on leather for testing purposes. I want to learn with cheap quality leather and move to the expensive stuff once I have more confidence!
I mentioned in video. Acadia or thoroughbred. Half the price of Horween, and great quality. Tell them I sent you
Hello Artie than you for the videos the time involved is huge you do amazing work that I hope with practice I’ll be maybe half as good as the work you inspire. I tip my hat and glass to you!
Thanks!!
So cool! New to leather work, love your videos!
Perfect!!! Thanks for the kind words! And thanks for watching! Enjoy them all!
Thanks for this Video dude I have watched a lot of u tube and Learned a lot of leather craft secrets because there’s no school other than high school to teach Leather Craft anywhere that I know of , I love your work and your videos are interesting keep it up 👍
Thanks, Mike ! And thanks for watching!
My favorite leather channel
Awe !!! This is what I like to see! Thanks!
I just watched your q&a video. Thank you for the last answer, your mud. I'm new to leather crafting and enjoy you products but had concerns of how to "slick" the inside. Thanks again.
🤘
And thanks for watching!
Awesome video lots of great information.
Thanks! And thanks for watching!
Fan-friggin-TAStic video! Thanks again for being water, my friend.
Thanks!!! “Water”. 😉
Hi! I just want to say Bravo! I love your videos. Love your style.
Thank you!!! And thanks for watching!
In spite of your talents, originality and acumen, this may be your best effort yet. Take away? Know yourself, find your own style, take it as far as possible. Love your videos, appreciate the hard work.
Awe !!! Comment of the week!
Thanks!!! And thanks for watching!
Fantastic and informative. Great job Artie. At 64 years old, I've never enjoyed anything more than designing and crafting leather goods. Unfortunately, with the DIY movement, I fear it would require more energy than I have to make a nice living selling my wares through social media. Oh well, thanks for the Chloe fix and the great information. All the best. Tom
Perfect!!! And it’s never too late. Just let your own style come out.
Chloe thanks you for watching!
Great Q & A. Thanks
Thanks! And thanks for watching!
Love your channel,thanks for being so transparent and giving with the details of your business.
What advice would you give pertaining to a new leather worker pricing their leather good?
What’s the formula
Love it!
Thanks!!
@@MasconLeather question…. How did you find it? Not public yet ?
I knew it!!! I just knew it…. Tokonole…. Love that stuff!!
😉
Thank you.
Thank YOU!
I'm #28! Thanks! I love getting to be a part of this! Thank you so much!
I really appreciate the community and involvement
I am like Tim Woods with the Christmas Story analogy except I got my BB Gun haha! I am so inspired by your work and I am always making it a production with popcorn and drinks and my favorite chair! Thank you
😆 I love this ! Thanks! And it helps on this end knowing folks are watching as you are.
Great video... keep grinding!
Thanks!! And thanks for watching!!
Not sure if this will get answered because of how old this is, but... Do you ever worry about someone using these videos to copy your pattern to make similar wallets? Only so many ways to do things but your use of rivets is unique.
Awesome work. Products and videos. Love your style. Just getting into leather working, mostly sheaths for the knives I make. Starting to do small projects with scrap. Would like to see more advice for beginners. Thanks
Thanks so much for the kind words!
More videos coming. I have a lot of beginner tips spread through all my videos. Especially my “bump jigs” video.
Thanks for watching!
Loved it Artie! Place all the content and answers from this video on one side of the scale, then to balance it you need some heavy talent. Something you can’t give away, you have to develop it.
Thanks, sir!!!
I’m always honored and star struck when you watch my videos!
And thanks for everything you did help me succeed!
Awesome as always !!! appreciate the video's, you and your craft and knowledge sharing, side note though really would like to have Chole's job :)
Thanks!!! Chloe has the life!!
Thank you 10 fold
Thank you! And thanks for watching!
Very interesting....
Thanks !
What I love about your use of models is you use models of all types not just the traditional skinny flat chested runway models. You use beautiful women who are more like the women I would meet in real life. That is marketing genius.
Thanks!!!! Omg, it’s so difficult! I try harder for “curvy” models…. But ironically, they’re more difficult to obtain.
The bombshell stereotypical are abundant.
I’d love more “natural” models for sure. And males. Male models are 100 times more difficult than any female. 🤷♂️
Funny enough, I kinda knew that your " not pancake batter " was Tokonole all along... but with my obsession combined with OCD and being a full time professional artist PROFECTIONIST.... I kept thinking, NO...you had a home blend of the special sauce ( So to speak ). SO I went on a 4 month long experimenting spree of my own!!! and I'll be damned...I actually have made my own recipe of " burnishing heaven " that works twice as fast as Tokonole, and looks like double polished glass when iam done!!!!! It also tests WAY more permanent than Tokonole too. plus i already have 8 jumbo containers of Tokonole in my studio already... so its a win-win. So I didn't get the answer I was looking for, from you.... but just the one that I needed, ( aka: figure it out yourself dummy lol ) or something like that 🤣🤣🤣 thanks for all you do, from the Esthetically pleasing pleasure I get from ALL of your work... and your videos of pure entertainment, while iam doing my job, in my art studio and bindery... every day ( and very very late nights ) of the year. So thank you sir
Great comment!!! Thanks for all of that !
Artie, another fantastic video. I love your videos you show how to lay out cut and finish the project all the while being funny and a bit cocky
😆
I’m usually so exhausted by halfway through filming, I’m fighting off the bitchiness with a crow bar! Forgive the cursing and cocky.
🥴
@@MasconLeather LOL no no it was meant as a good cocky like when you roll the liquor bottle after you put some in the cup and add coffee
Oh. I took it well. It was funny! Lol
Great video! I hoped that You have some Yours recipe for burnishing agens 😂
Thank You for all of the advices that You shared 💪
Thanks for watching!!
Great video Artie....as always! White mud.....somehow I always knew.....but I was tricked into thinking I didn't LOL. One question, do you do all your own social media management and website management as well or do you outsource that? Can't wait for the next one!
Thanks for watching!!! I do everything. 100%
Literally. One man operation.
This video alone took 7 days to make. 13 hours a day. So…. Zero leather work for over a week. And still asked “why the long lead time”. I’m doing the best I can. 😆
Good job, funny video as usual. Great hints and tips and I agree with the Tokanoleeee, I gave up the witches brews years ago. Tell Chloe she would make a great accountant with that bark she has.
Chloe has applied for the accountant position. 😆
Thanks for watching!!
@@MasconLeather LOL
👍
Very informative video boss... Just a beginner here, suffering from ordering leather online trying to learn from different kind of leather... Its expensive to learn😁😁😁
Thanks!! Yeah…. That’s why I have 250+ hides. 😆
As someone who's tried every traditional edge rub and then some, yes including Astroglide...... I kinda had a good feeling what that white mud was, and amazed how much of it you go through. Another awesome video loaded with info, will be watching again and again! THANK YOU for all your time in making these videos.....
Thanks for the continued support, sir!!
Raise your hand if you knew it was just Tokonole the whole fucking time lol ✋ Didnt fall for your Tom Cruise black magic for one second 🤣
🤘
My issue was, I haven’t always used it. Example. My Barry king awl. If someone asked me 7 years ago what i and I recommend, it say it. Easy. But because I wasn’t done with trial and errors, I could never say “this is all I use”. Until now.
@@MasconLeather I feel you brother. Ive got a whole shelf full of tools, pastes, gums, glues, dyes, you name it, that Ive tried and liked for the most part, but they dont fit in to the perfect (but subject to evolution) system I have now.
Bingo. We’re on the same page. Pushing forward and having fun! Thanks for the comments!
Parabéns excelente trabalho manual!
🤘
do you sell your patterns?
specifically the rivet one?
Yep Tokonole. I was hoping you doctored it somehow. I cut mine with water 1:1 to get it to flow out of a sponge tip marker. I don’t see any difference in its ability to “glass” an edge. That might save a bit of money. If I have a loose/furry flesh side I use it at 100%.
Yep! Perfect! I’ll spit on it often. 😆
Great Video, especially the extra effort in videography, also where did you get that figurine i see in all your videos?
Thanks! And thanks for noticing the videography! Olivia came from a land far, far away.
PREACH
🤘
If you're a decent photographer and you're still having trouble with the models thing, try Model Mayhem. It's basically a mix of myspace and craigslist, where hobbyist photographers and models can easily team up with each other. I only did it for a year or so, but in that time some of those shots landed on magazine covers, so you'll be surprised at the quality you might find. But, like craigslist, you'll have to filter through some fairly unprofessional people, so use caution and be smart. You'll build connections, and that's what really matters. I still work with 3-4 of those models from time to time.
Thanks!!!
the neatsfoot oil compound actually has no real neatsfoot oil in there. It is however far better than pure neatsfoot oil for leather. Originally, neatsfoot oil became widely used in the leather world because it was another byproduct from cows ( it’s made of cow shin bones) and is very inexpensive. That being said, it oxidizes quickly, goes rancid and under certain conditions, will cause your leather to mold or rot. Often times, you won’t even notice if it went rancid or if it caused your leather or stitching to mold.
👍
When do you release spots to make an order? Do you announce it on a certain platform. Thank you. You make awesome wallets
Email me for an order. My next available slot is November of 2024.
How can I keep the leather dye from sinking to far down on my edges? I’ve been using dobbers
Burn the dauber. Light on fire. Let burn like a marshmallow for a few seconds. Blow it out. Wipe it off. And try that. I burn all my daubers
I know I’m a little late to the party, but where do I get my hands on those arch gauges or whatever they’re called? Been looking for those everywhere! Love your vids
Hey!
All of our tools are on this page :
zeebeeleather.com/tool-shop
@@MasconLeather YES!!!! Thank you so much
Video idea/question
What do you know about skiving? I could use all the details 🙂
Artie, another fantastic video. I found you a long time ago when I wanted to make a leather passport cover for my kids. Your old format was so entertaining and now with the ‘talkies’ I feel like I’m getting to know you. Next time we go to OBX I’m taking the long way through Williamsburg and buying you a libation or two in thanks. 👍👍👍
😆 perfect!!!
Looking forward to it! We may have to meet IN OBX. We go often.
Yeah! Exactly! Like talking with old good friend)
what might you suggest be the easiest way for someone to get custom stamps?
I’ve had 100s made by various Makers. Try “leather stamp maker”. He’s great. Tell him I sent you.
@@MasconLeather oh, haha, no one in particular stands out eh?
Also, love the anvil. Glad I got my hands on one before they ended up being discontinued.
Edit: HAHA! Just searched that and got "leather stamp maker" website. Aight sweet.
I seen you had a stack of bump Jigs and such on your bench do you sell them?
Absolutely!
They’re all right here:
zeebeeleather.com/tool-shop
Hey Archie when you gonna do a video making a bag?
I have. A few. Totes, Walden satchel, etc.
I think my wife would like a intro to the world video. :)
🤘🤘🤘
I just put a pice of blue tape on the hear of the ez drum . that holds the cheap rounds on way better.
That’ll do it! I’m too lazy. And just for folks who aren’t going to take extra ingenious efforts, i figured I’d show the hassle free.
But for all my loosey goosey drums… this is a great tip!
Thanks!!
Won’t let me edit so thank you, is what I intended.
😆
"it's just tokenole" ?. He's using some sort of sorcery or gypsy spell because his edges look like glass when he's finished.
😆 comment of the week!! (The sorcery = time + patience)
And sanding! Most important part. I won’t plug my stuff here, but my edge process is sand, sand, sand and then tokonole. 120 grit, 240 grit, 320, 600, 1000, and sometimes up to 1200 with slight burnishing in between, and then finish with tokonole and a canvas cloth. Time reference, one wallet worth of edges can take 35-40 minutes or more (usually more)!!
grande profissional no trabalho manual com couro , parabéns conhecimento total.
English translation?
@@MasconLeather he said " great professional in leatherwork congratulations".
Thank you for that translation!!!!
Thanks! And thanks for watching!!
Where do you get your blue blank credit cards from?
eBay
Where do you get your clicker dies made ?
Puzzle maker in Singapore
Do you sell any apparel like T-shirts or hats? I was on your site and never saw any.
I have. Just don’t have anything in stock currently. I will soon
Saludos👍👍👍
Thanks!!!
And thanks for watching!!
so interesting and damn you make me feel lazy
Thanks !! And …. I’m fairly lazy. See that procrastination station? It’s used too often.
I always thought that white mud looked familiar.
🤘
Can you provide a link to your video for the Arthur Duffle, please?
No video
@@MasconLeather Ah, nuts!
Hi 👋🏻
#19 lol. Certain "bar's" only give change in 2$ instead of 1$. Helps the servers pay off their college tuition faster. 🍻
I know we probably won't answer this one but what is an average year salary? Not an exact number. or maybe at least do you make more or less from leather than your 9-to-5 that you had before?
I make 2 times as much now as I did in banking.
But….
I do A LOT more than just “leather” goods.
However, I work 13+ hours a day now.
It’s all about diversity in incomes, etc etc.
But looking at JUST leather goods, when I quit the bank (I was there at the same place for 19 years, branch manager, courtroom rep, etc) I was making exactly the same either way. That’s why I made the leap.
But!!! It took 7 years of every morning before work, every night after work and every Saturday and Sunday. For 7 years, I worked two full time jobs (bank and leather) to push leather brand upward.
Then, after I quit the bank, those measly hours went to leather, I didn’t have to start leather at 4:30 am and end at 9:30 pm. Now I work 6:00 am to 7:00 pm. 😆
Have you ever made any pieces of leather work with animal hides such as deer or other animals?
Yes.
Bison, deer, kangaroo, etc.
Your travel wallet for passport etc is it real leather?
Yes
Do you make ladies’s wallets?
Como faço prá comprar uma carteira sua sou seu fã.
English?
Healthy body and clarity of mind. The eternal problem of polishing perfectly the butt on a leather product
🤘
Como faço pra adquirir uma carteira ?
English translation please
@@MasconLeather He said "How can I buy one of your wallets".