Some daily essential tools, each and every tool is invaluable in its own function. Some tools showcased are new but I’ve gotten very comfortable with them. Notably is @chartermade_leather_studio mark 2 lap skiving knife. Makes short work of smaller project’s skiving needs that holds an immensely reassuring heft in the hand. A full review will be posted up soon ! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #heicrafted #handmade #handcrafted #bespoke #style #leather #leatherwork #leathercraft #leathercrafttools #menstyle #mensaccessories #menfashion #luxurylife #sgmakers #sgcrafters #thosewhomake #hengleong #makertools ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ www.heicrafted.com https://www.instagram.com/p/BoN3P1fjJZj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15xfo9iprp6gb

Horween's elusive and coveted shell cordovan in Marbled color #8 and Marbled Black. From our understanding, the varied color tones is achieved by painstakingly applying the aniline dye by hand to achieve the varied stripes in the finish. This needs to be masterfully executed by a skilled craftsman to achieve these gorgeous patterns. Synonyms with the Horween shells, the patterns aesthetically appears to change dynamic as it catches light from different angles. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Many clients have asked for marbled shell for wallet exteriors and watch straps, i’m delighted to be able to finally meet your requests with these sublime shells. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Cordovan origins :The word “cordovan” more than being the pinnacle of quality leather. Historically, it refers to a city that was the pinnacle of art, culture, and education. "Qurtuba", later called Cordoba (hence, cordovan) by the Spanish, was the capital of Islamic Iberia for around 100 years between 930 and 1030 a.d. Cordoba, was said to contain more books than all other libraries in europe put together and its Great Mosque, referred to as a miracle of art and architecture, attracts visitors from all over the world still today. Prime amongst their artistic accomplishments was the Cordobans’ renowned mastery of leather arts, specifically tanning. It appears that a combination of ideal conditions for tanning turned the countryside surrounding Cordoba into a utopia for leather production. The fact that the wealthy city of Cordoba nearby provided a vast demand for Cordobans’ high quality luxurious goods. Regardless of how Cordoba became a center for the leather trade and it had a monumental influence. It imbedded itself into the language to describe leather and leather goods, specifically shoes. The french word for shoemaker, became “cordoanier,” which, transliterated into English, means cordovan-er; someone who works with cordovan leather. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #heicrafted #handmade #handcrafted #bespoke #style #leather #leatherwork #leathercraft #leathercrafttools #menstyle #mensaccessories #menfashion #luxurylife #sgmakers #sgcrafters #thosewhomake #horween #shellcordovan #cordovan #madeinamerica #horweenleather https://www.instagram.com/p/BnahPFIFdY-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xxzjibqjiyzx

Some gorgeous time pieces getting new shoes. Here we have a slim although the pictured strap is heading to an IWC with a 22mm to 18mm taper profile. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Crafted for buttery barenia lined with zermatt leather for wrist comfort that will last. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ www.heicrafted.com ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #heicrafted #handmade #handtools #handcrafted #handcraft #handstitched #handwork #bespoke #custom #madeinsg #style #leather #leatherwork #leathercraft #leathercrafttools #menstyle #menfashion #luxurylife #sgmakers #sgcrafters #thosewhomake #craft

Been a little bogged down with my day job to put these @ks_blade_punch punches through its paces. Previously I spoke about the brogue punches that provided an excellent first impression. Next is their pricking irons, right out of the box each pricking teeth is finely shaped and well finished. They pierce right through thicker (3.5mm to 4.5mm) of vegetable tan leather with ease. Note: The following comparative comments are generalized against my experiences with Vergez Blanchard, Amy rokes and various other pricking irons i’ve used. I’ll do a direct comparison in time to come. The slant angle seems a little steeper and length of each stitching hole seems to be slightly smaller, producing a stitching line I do enjoy. In all pricking irons, the heft or weight of the iron is very crucial in my opinion. These irons, similar to the body of the brogue punches are robust with an reassuring heft. Just by touch, you’ll know you’re holding a quality tool. Not to forget is their modular design ethos, it’s a brilliant idea as we all know accidents can happen and the ability to switch affected teeth without having to change the entire iron is superb and yields potential cost savings. For crafters that like to position and align their pricking irons from a top-down view perspective might face issues as the body holding the teeth is rather large and blocks your top-down view. I personal view my irons from the side hence I’m not impacted. . #heicrafted #handmade #handtools #handcrafted #handcraft #handstitched #handwork #bespoke #custom #madeinsg #style  #leather #leatherwork #leathercraft #leathercrafttools #menstyle #menfashion #luxurylife #sgmakers #sgcrafters #thosewhomake #craft

Prepping the leathers and tools for my briefcase project. The briefcase project has been long in the pipeline but time constraints has been keeping it at bay for the longest time, its handle has been sitting lonely for ages, wondering when it would ever meet its body. But it’s going to be placed in priority now. Next few posts over coming weeks will be a series covering the its construction. The briefcase was originally planned to be crafted primarily from Horween essex leather in cognac color which is the leather used to build the handle showcased here. Due to some unfortunate circumstances, that entire hide is not usable. Now, it will made with the Hermes famed Gold Brown Barenia leather from HAAS tannery. Olive green Togo leather will form the internal pockets and lining. Excitingly I intend to incorporate some brogue detailing within the internals of the briefcase, adding a “pop” factor when you open up the briefcase. . #heicrafted #handmade #handtools #handcrafted #handcraft #handstitched #handwork #bespoke #custom #madeinsg #style  #leather #leatherwork #leathercraft #leathercrafttools #menstyle #menfashion #luxurylife #sgmakers #sgcrafters #thosewhomake #craft #hermes #barenia #togo

Continuing the briefcase series. Showcasing an edge finishing test sample for the internal pockets of the briefcase. Edges are double folded, i.e. folded over twice to visually avoid any portions when you can see each layer of leather spliced together, something usually seen with a single folded edge. This further creates a visual of leather covered edges around the pocket. Running parallel to the edge is brogue detailing which will be lined across the pocket to add a little bit of spice to an otherwise mundane area. Endeavoring for these subtle design cues to translate into a briefcase that appears clean and refined at first glance, but carries so much more “hidden” detailing that you’ll probably only start to notice over time through usage. #heicrafted #handmade #handtools #handcrafted #handcraft #handstitched #handwork #bespoke #custom #madeinsg #style  #leather #leatherwork #leathercraft #leathercrafttools #menstyle #menfashion #luxurylife #sgmakers #sgcrafters #thosewhomake #craft #togo #hermes #vergezblanchard

Showcasing how hot stamping on leather goods are executed. In view is a vintage Kingsley hot stamping hand operated machine that is potentially 30-50 years old ! These machines have stopped production many decades ago. However most of the electronics and heating elements have been updated to newer versions. Once the customer’s initials are chosen, the types (metal fonts/characters) are loaded onto a cartridge holder which is then slotted into the machine. Its subsequently heated to approximately 250 degrees and stamped onto the leather surface after placing a piece of foil over it. The heat combined with the pressure imprints the foil onto the leather. Executed properly, each character stamped should be clean and crisp. Notably, the length of time the stamping head is pressed onto the leather is crucial. A little too long and the print is smudged or blurry, too short and the stamping is partial/incomplete or might flake off . The length of time or temperature required to imprint clean and crisp prints is correlated to the type of leather and foil used, it will vary when either variable has changed. To an extent, stamping in itself is a “mini” craft on its own. Maybe a little akin to letter presses. . #heicrafted #handmade #handtools #handcrafted #handcraft #handstitched #handwork #bespoke #custom #madeinsg #style  #leather #leatherwork #leathercraft #leathercrafttools #sgmakers #sgcrafters #thosewhomake #craft #kingsley #hotstamping

Burnishers galore ! Some of you know I have a special liking to burnishers and have a larger than I need collection of them. (Probably many other tools fall into that category too). Although not all my projects would require a burnisher, but when they do, these sandal wood burnishers meets the job beautifully. The grooves are rounded at a nice gradient to achieve a clean rounded edge and the glass smooth polished finish ensures no marking/scratching for rougher woods. . In my opinion, a glass smooth finish is crucial in generating heat to burnish the edges. Rougher finishes tend to fray the fibers of the leather rather than creating that smooth burnished edge. At times this is also useful for painted edges, it creates an additional softer sheen to the edges. But be careful as you may over burnish quite easily. . #heicrafted #handmade #handtools #handcrafted #handcraft #handstitched #handwork #bespoke #custom #madeinsg #style #leather #leatherwork #leathercraft #leathercrafttools #menstyle #menfashion #luxurylife #sgmakers #sgcrafters #thosewhomake #craft #toolsofthetrade #sandalwood