The Art of Making Leather Cases, Vol. 2

I was afraid of ordering this book. The first book on the Art of Sewing was so simple, very old and black and white. I didn't like it. However, I watched a video of a leather smith at Hermés in France, sewing leather, and he was using the same technique as in the book!!. So, I went ahead and ordered this book. And I am very pleased. It is an encyclopedia of how to make straps and few cases projects. I found about two projects interesting but the instructions on handles and straps is second to none. About half of the book is about this and I like it because you can always get a pattern for a bag on the Internet but you have to master how to make good gussets, straps and handles. Otherwise, your bag won't be durable enough. The book makes references to The Art of Sewing, which I already have, so I am OK with it. There are references to the Volume 1 for burnishing but I don't feel worth it to learn burnishing an edge. I would just hope that there is an update with color photos. Also, it is amazing all the decorative things that they put in the cases, but honestly, who does that in the XXI century? I guess there are folks who wants a horse carved in a bag, or a colorful flower in a purse, but I have yet to see a modern bag or case with that. Regardless, it's a great book

Al Stohlman is a classic. His style is classic and timeless, and there aren't many "artists" like him left anymore. Leatherwork really seems like a lost art. You can go to a department store and buy a belt made in China, or a briefcase from Taiwan. Learn how to make it yourself, and it will last to hand down to your kids, and look better as it ages. I am left handed and needed a leather sheath, so I learned how to make one out of leather. Then another sheath, another style, then a wallet. Now I want to make my own briefcase. This book, and his others, really helped. Of course Youtube is awesome, but there is nothing like holding a book, flipping the pages, and being a part of an art form that is slowly fading away.

This is a MUST for any leathercrafter, Excellent diagrams and very easy to understand. All illustrations are drawn by hand, which in my opinion gives the reader a better understanding. The illustrations are broken down into easy step by step instructions, to help you gain an understanding of the process of completing the project at hand. If your on a tight budget and would only like to invest in the essentials, but need some guidance on "how to " this and any of Al Stohlmans books will help you now and in years to come. Definitely buy this, you will not be sorry and will end up referring back to this guide for years to come. Beginners to expert ,this should be on your workshops reference shelf!

Great book. The drawings and instructions are always good

While many of the projects in this book seem old fashioned, most of the construction details can easily be adapted for the latest fashions that leathercrafters can make. Once again Al Stohlman shows a range of techniques that are carefully & thoughtfully presented to open up a world of possibilities for using your own creativity in constructing leather cases for a myriad of designs & uses. The second volume in this series brings with it lot of good projects & useful ideas.

Anything Al Stohlman did was always top notch. His books are invaluable to someone learning the trade, even for personal use. I have all three of the volumes on leather cases and true to good-marketing maximizing profits you can't learn all the steps in one book. The projects spread through the three volumes but the steps needed to make each of those cases are spread out throughout the three books. Volume II specifically has good instruction for installing zippers. But they are concise and offer good illustrations so I do recommend any Al Stohlman books.

I have already made 2 of these projects and they are wonderful. Take your time and read slow. Recognize you will need to do some work to transfer patters from the book to paper. This is a marvelous addition to any leatherworkers library.

Richly illustrated in detail. Not for a total beginner, better for someone who has had some basic experience constructing some basic leather items.

Great books, every leatherworker would love

Sehr gute Anleitung im Stohlman- Stil!!!

This should cover just about all that I aim to do in the leatherwork department. Happy with my purchase.

Je ne ferai plus ici l'éloge de ce livre très connu, nombreux sont ceux qui l'utilisent encore à ce jour (1ère édition en 1983). Par contre, pour ceux qui ne connaissent pas encore ce type d'impression : couverture épaisse glacée et pages en papier glacé d'excellente qualité. Cette copie a pour seul défaut son agrafage : seulement 2 ! Mais qu'à cela ne tienne, pour nous, les amateurs de travaux sur cuir ... une petite couture sera vite réalisée. Je trouve ceci très cocasse : un livre américain de 83, ré-édité par Taiwan, vendu par un anglais à moi, petite belge ... en 2017 ! Magie de notre époque :-) : merci le Monde !

While the style of items in the book will be dated, the book itself does offer helpful tips and shows how to make things without the use of machines. Having a Stohlman book is worth it's weight in gold!