What have you made?

[Harrison]

Hello, I was just wondering what you folks have made so far. I'm working on a pair of bracers.

[Christophe of Grey]

Gamigar,
I've been doing leather working now for over 7 years and specialize in Medieval accessories. My partial list of completed projects includes: vambraces, quivers, archer arm guards, belts - ladies, lords, and wide belts (3 inches to 6 inches), shoes, boots, pouches, tankards (for which I am well known in the SCA kingdom of Trimaris), tokens, gem boxes, messenger bags, vests. Armor includes: gorgets, greeves, archer gloves with attached vambrace, body armor.

Right now I'm working on designing the Legolis quiver. I've got the pattern for his vambraces and will make a pair in the near future. The quiver is the challenge though what with his knifes and bow holder.

[Harrison]

Cool, would you mind attaching some pictures of these?

[Christophe of Grey]

Gamigar,
Not a problem. When I get them up, I'll post here that they are up.

[Harrison]

Cool, how about some patterns for vambraces too, I'm just getting into leatherworking and need some guidence.

[Christophe of Grey]

Gamigar,
I'll post pictures then you tell which ones you are interested in. Then I'll post patterns. OK?

[sefranox]

uh, im looking forward to that !
for me, you could post all your patterns :D ! at the moment i have enough leather but not enough time *sigh* ...

[Christophe of Grey]

For those interested in my vambraces here is a selection of some. They are all made from the same pattern (which I will post here next, have to scan it first). Simply variations on the theme. These vambraces are suitable for dress or combat as they are made of 8 - 10 oz leather. They were fashioned after vambraces worn by a knight in Trimaris (SCA kingdom of Florida) when he won crown lyst for the second time (gave him the right to be king for six months). The quilting and edge is quit simple. The studs are brass or nickle plated brass (silver) 3/8 inch size. As you can see some are lace and one pair have straps and buckles.


You will be able to notice in one of the pictures a matching belt I made for myself. It has a basket weave pattern (actually more of a basket quilt if that makes sense) with parachute studs. Parachute studs are like the other studs but have a texturing on the surface. There are over 120 studs on that belt. The buckle, keeper, and tip are a Celtic knot pattern. I get lots of complements on this belt. At Pennsic last year I had six people offer to buy it off my body! Made me feel good!

I'll be posting more stuff in another post. (Don't want to overload the system here, plus I need to get pictures.)

[Kinslayer]

For those interested in my vambraces here is a selection of some. They are all made from the same pattern (which I will post here next, have to scan it first). Simply variations on the theme. These vambraces are suitable for dress or combat as they are made of 8 - 10 oz leather. They were fashioned after vambraces worn by a knight in Trimaris (SCA kingdom of Florida) when he won crown lyst for the second time (gave him the right to be king for six months). The quilting and edge is quit simple. The studs are brass or nickle plated brass (silver) 3/8 inch size. As you can see some are lace and one pair have straps and buckles.


You will be able to notice in one of the pictures a matching belt I made for myself. It has a basket weave pattern (actually more of a basket quilt if that makes sense) with parachute studs. Parachute studs are like the other studs but have a texturing on the surface. There are over 120 studs on that belt. The buckle, keeper, and tip are a Celtic knot pattern. I get lots of complements on this belt. At Pennsic last year I had six people offer to buy it off my body! Made me feel good!

I'll be posting more stuff in another post. (Don't want to overload the system here, plus I need to get pictures.)


Beautiful work!!!!

[Christophe of Grey]

:dragon: Hey folks. For those of you who have been waiting for some pictures of my stuff I've loaded some of them onto the Art Gallery. Go into the Members area and find my name Christophe of Grey. I loaded some sample pictures of my vambraces and tankards. I have one belt up now but will add more in a day or so. I will also load patterns for vambraces on the art gallery site for those that have asked.

If you have any questions regarding construction techniques or methods, just ask. I'm here to help.

[Christophe of Grey]

Kinslayer,
More pictures of more stuff up in Art Gallery area. Search for Christophe of Grey.

Comments welcome,

[Christophe of Grey]

For those who have been waiting I have just posted two of my vambrace patterns in the Art Gallery section under my name. You will probably have to do some sizing and, due to the size of my scanner's bed, you will have to do some minor pattern completing.

I make my patterns out of manilla folder material so I get more than one use out of them. The Bytor pattern is NOT symetrical so you will have to mark one one way, then flip the pattern and mark the second one. This is the pattern I used for all the vambraces you see in the gallery except the ones with the points, triscales, and Celtic knotts on them.

If you need any help with methods, tools, techniques just post here and I'll help as best I can.

Enjoy......more to come in the next few days,

[Christophe of Grey]

Gamigar,
As you are interested in making vambraces I have a request. Measurements: From wrist to elbow, diameter of forearm at wrist, diameter of forearm just below elbow.

I have been asked to make vambraces for folks about your age and thought you may be a good pattern for sizing.

Your help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

[Kinslayer]

Great pics Christophe du gris i see why you are famous for tankards!!!

[iggyp]

very nice and inspiring. What tools did you use for the pattern?

[Christophe of Grey]

Thanks for the compliment. Your question is a bit broad based question but here goes.
http://gallery.fantasyvault.net/showphoto.php?photo=224 (White Vine with letter E) This tankard done with swivel knife, smooth beveler (three sizes), and small patterned stipple backgrounders (3 sizes), color - acrylic paint.
http://gallery.fantasyvault.net/showphoto.php?photo=223 (Celtic knott) Tooling done with swivel knife and beveler. Leather cover and handle hand sewn.
The tankard with the gryfn on it was done with swivel knife, beveler, and seeder (eyes).
Vambraces with large quilted pattern (burgundy) - Sharp scribe (pointed awl), scribe lines on. Dividers used for trim border, punch for spot tang holes.
Vambraces (brown with textured quilt pattern) - Basket weave stamp. Pattern is the central square with texture and radiating points from each corner. Keeping the lines straight is the hardest part!

The edges of the vambraces are burnished to create a smooth edge. I never dye the insides of the vambraces to prevent rub off.

I've got more pictures I've been trying to upload but the art gallery seems to be stuck in the mud - very, v - e - r - y s - l - o - w!!!!! Hopefully I can get the pictures posted soon.

[Christophe of Grey]

OK folks. After much ado I have finally been able to post the rest of my sample collection on the Art Gallery. If anyone has any questions about how any of the items you see there were made just ask on the forum and I'll be happy to tell you - to what ever level of detail you desire.

[new_craftsman]

Hey there.. Great work!

May I ask how a swivel knife works?

[Christophe of Grey]

new_craftsman,
Here is a link to Tandy's special edition swivel knife http://tandyleather.com/prodinfo.asp?number=3505001&variation=&aitem=2&mitem=33. The main reason for using a swivel knife is to get a consistent depth cut for tooling purposes. You hold the knife between your thumb and middle finger with your index finger on top. While holding the tool vertical your index finger provides the down pressure to control the depth of the cut. Your thumb and middle finger rotate the barrel of the tool to follow the curves of the design you are cutting. You can get several types of blades for the knife. Straight blades, angled blades called filigree, and ceramic blades. I like ceramic blades as they stay sharp longer. Filigree blades are used for very sharp curves and delicate work - some Celtic knots for example. You can also get a blade that will cut two parallel lines on one pass. Great for vines and some thin Celtic knot plaits. A swivel knife can be had starting at about $10. Of course you could also get the Al Stolman version (pictured on the site above) for a great deal more. No guarentee your work will look like Al's though!!

One final note - As with ALL your leather working tools (stamping tools excepted) strop the tool on a piece of leather onto which you have rubbed jewelers rouge. You may have to do this several times as you work. This gets rid of all the microscopic burs that form on the surface of the tool. Yes, even ceramic blades. The knife should slide through the leather like the proverbial hot knife in butter. If it's dragging, strop the knife. Leather cutting tools need to be very very very, did I mention VERY, sharp.

[Ess]

Hi all!

I'm new to this forum, and I wanted to show what I've accomplished so far. I've done many things in leather, but this is my "masterpiece"...

Enjoy!

http://www.ipso.ca/media/Fin_Ess1.JPG
http://www.ipso.ca/media/Fin_Ess2.JPG
http://www.ipso.ca/media/Fin_Ess3.JPG

Tell me what you think!

Ess.

[Christophe of Grey]

Ess,
I like the helm. Is it hardened leather or shaped over something? Looks like your body armor pieces are held together with rings much like chain mail. Is that right? Did you also make the belt and pouches?

[Ess]

The helm was made by sewing 4 pieces on soaked 8-9oz leather and forming it to my head (!). After it has been dried, I put the rivets and studs on a band of 5-6oz leather. It has a lining of velvet inside for more comfort.

The armor has effectively links that connects to each 8-9oz piece of leather, dyed green and riveted. The links are Brass 14g 3/8". It took me a while to finish it, but I'm happy with the way it looks...

I also made the belt, the pouches (except the big one, it's a purse that I've modified a bit!) and almost every part of this costume. The only thing I didn't do is the spaulders. I also made the axe.

Ess.

[Harrison]

I made some bracers, but the picture takes up too much room, just check the gallery.

[Christophe of Grey]

Gamigar,
Good job on the vambraces! It appears that you are using laces instead of straps to close them up. Did you use gromets on the punched holes? (You can get gromets at a fabric store. Complete with setting anvils et al. It helps to reinforce the hole so the leather doesn't tear over time.) It also looks like the leather you used is oil tanned. Does it have a slightly waxy feel to it? If so, good choice. Your vambraces will last a long time plus be confortable. You can also use a product called Lexol to clean and condition your vambraces. You can get Lexol in drug stores, usually somewhere near the shoe polish. As you wear your vambraces you will sweat in them. The salts in your sweat will tend to stiffen the leather. Lexol is a great treatment to re-oil the leather while also cleaning it without changing its color.
As you've done such a fine job on these vambraces, what's your next project? You know, a pouch matching these vambraces would look pretty good!!
:balrog:

[Harrison]

No they don't feel waxy, I used those scraps that I mentioned earlier so I don't really know anything about the leather. Yes I used shoe strings, I don't have any grommets, or any hardware for that matter, I plan on getting some soon. I don't know what I want to do next, maybe just a decorative thing to hang on the wall

[Christophe of Grey]

Gamigar,
OK, let's move you into the world of leather working because you are off to such a great start here. Young talent should never be wasted! Throw the shoe laces away and buy some LEATHER laces. You can get those in the same place you buy regular shoe laces. For a quick and cheap dye save some coffee grounds or tea leafs. Get the mess wet and burry your laces in them. They will take on the brownish color which will look better than the yellowish color they are when they come from the store. Work them over a rounded corner to soften them. Cost - zip, nada, zero. Your vambraces appear to be made out of two pieces. If right, how about riveting them together? You could do a rivet pattern on them something along the lines of Ess' stuff (see his helm, and patches used to make the body armor, this forum, above). Hey, it's only money and we ARE talking about feeding our passions here! To set the rivets you will only need a hammer and something hard to "set" them on. Brass ones would look cool with your brown leather. If you need a pattern for a pouch let me know. I can post the pattern for my dog pouch (art gallery) or a soft pouch I also make. You could make the soft pouch out of fabric (very medieval) with a leather flap. I make mine all leather. Made one out of deer hide. Ladies come up just to stroke it. Cool!

[Harrison]

I have the two pieces connected on the sides with small pieces of the shoe string, I meant for them to look like scales. I based them on the three ring bracers seen here: http://www.maspien.com/leather1.html I agree, spots and studs look good and I need to get some, but I meant them to look like that.

[Christophe of Grey]

Gamigar,
Hey, you did a great job. I'm just throwing some ideas out to you.
:balrog:

[Indiana]

Ive made a very simple lace up pair of bracers, along with binding a book and some other thing with leather.