Classic Leather Portmanteau

[madPete]

I started this project in November and just got back to it. Have some pics from raw state to finished and thought people might like to see it go together

[edit: fixed broken link

https://get.google.com/albumarchive/115342383665312639937/album/AF1QipO2zDLPN1ql0yLsTxRlzvTy8_bN8_wOv0XbZckJ?authKey=COzikbHBgPWApAE

]

mP

[jendobyns]

Nice work!

[William Brand]

It's a beautiful project. Your work just keeps getting better and more diverse.

[Captain Jim]

Niiiice! Where do you source your leather?

[madPete]

tandy. unless I happen across one of the sutlers that shows at our local events.

[madPete]

More broken links fixed:

Portmanteau in the raw

[madPete]

Its now 10 years old and has aged nicely. It does need a coat of leather conditioner now tho...

[Stynky Tudor]

Wow, Amazing! That is gorgeous! Thank you for sharing.

[LadyBarbossa]

So awesome! Looks fabulous! 

Did you create a pattern for this? What type and weight of hide did you use for it? 

[Mary Diamond]

Lovely work! That is in my “Materials Acquired” project status… where projects can wait for years…

[madPete]

This was my first attempt at a portmanteau after I made a couple map cases. I started with a really heavy leather hide maybe 20oz, its been 10 years so I dont remember exactly. The flap was a slightly lighter weight. You can make them with thinner hide as I've found they hold up pretty well. I've also made 1 or 2 in one continuous piece with the flap.

What I do remember is stitching that heavy leather by hand took a real toll on my hands. I'd work on it a couple hours and have to wait a week to continue.

Even punching that thick leather prior to stitching was arduous, I think the cow got even with me!

I did not make a pattern. I decided how big I wanted it and cut out the ends first. Then I cut one side of the circle which ends up at the bottom so it sits flat. Many you see are round, and attached behind a saddle. But very few surviving examples, most I found are 1800 and later. I cut the main section to the width I wanted, stitched it together, then cut the flap so it was about 3/4-1 inch overlap on each side, and stitched that on the back side.

The side handles are two pieces and make it really comfortable (and sturdy) to hold. The handles are an inner strap that attaches to the end and a lighter weight leather wrapped around the strap and baseball stitched. The stitching is on the inside of the strap so you dont see it. If I was to do it again, I would add a handle on the top like I did for Iron Jon's.

 

I used solid brass buckles from Tandy, but when I replace the straps (they aren't really worn, but they tend to curl) I will source original style buckles from "Buckle Castings" aka RIchard Lanni

 

[madPete]

Here's one that I made a few years ago, but have never used or sold. It's collecting dust. I will condition it when I do my other one and maybe bring it to Ft Gaines for trade: [Edit: its 19-1/2L x 9W x 8H]

 

[LadyBarbossa]

Absolutely incredible! Fabulous work! 😁🏴‍☠️

[Stynky Tudor]

Beautiful work!

[michaelsbagley]

I really like how you've done the handle. One of my biggest regrets with the few I've made is not going the extra mile to build handles onto them.

Great work

[Commodore Swab]

The handle on top is a must otherwise you either carry it with 2 hands or end up having everything slide to one end.  Of course a strap would be a nice addition so you could pick it up and move it without having to relatch it.

[madPete]

Doesnt matter if its clothes, but if used for other things like tools or whatever , carrying by end handle can be an issue.

[Iron Jon]

Luckily I have one made by Michael and one made by Mad Pete. I can carry one in each hand or both over my shoulders.