Use a press?

D

d.weglarz13

Joined
Jun 4, 2008
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Hey guys. I have been wondering something. I saw a thread a while back about Richard Holloman I believe his name was, and he was using a method where he uses a press to compress the leather instead of tooling it. I read that he also dehumidifies it somehow, and gets it to be very strong, almost kydex like. I am wondering, as i wouldn't mind trying my own ideas at this, but was really wanting to know why more people don't do this? I mean, it is just leather, and you would have thought this would be more common. But, maybe there is something to it I'm missing. Anyway, i thought it was a great idea, and of course if its possible, i would contact Mr. Holloman to ask if it was ok and all. So, any ideas or thoughts? thanks
Dave
 
"Cuirboulli" or water hardening leather. Hot water and dehydrate rapidly. Medieval method of making armor. It works great, I've done it several times. It makes it harder. It shrinks and thickens it. It makes it darker. These effects are irreversible. VERY hard to control because leather is not a uniform material. Shrinkage could be 10 percent or 50 percent. I mess with it because I like old ways and hate kydex. Here's a link to read about it
http://www.daviddfriedman.com/Medieval/Articles/Perfect_Armor_Improved.htm
.........Randy
 
Thanks Sir. I appreciate that. I really like the idea of this, and will be experimenting shortly. Any other opinions? I didn't see too much about actually pressing the leather to compress it.
Dave
 
Dave, there is a process for rolling leather under pretty heavy pressure to compact the fibers and create a much stiffer hand. This is the process used to make "sole bends" ie: leather intended for shoe soles. Very tough leather and much harder to cut.

A similar process can be done by hand using a piece of smooth edge glass, but the results are not nearly as dramatic. It generally just works on the top grain as there is insufficient pressure to really compact the full depth.

Paul
 
Mr. Long, I was just reading a 1845 shoemakers journal. In it one of the apprentice jobs was to beat soles with a hammer to harden the bottom ......Randy
 
Thanks again guys. I have a 12 ton press, and think im going to try my hand at a few sheaths with this method. I will post pics when i get there. Thanks.
Dave
 
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