Leatherworking Handbook: A Practical Illustrated Sourcebook of Techniques and Projects

I have been very interesting in making purses and other items where building a case is critical. I found this book to be excellent in answering many of my questions. I have found no one book can answer all your questions. A lot depends on reading and working to develop more understanding. This book attracted me because it uses molds to shape form leather into cases. I found the other information in the book very helpful with my projects and developing my skills and ideas.

This book stands out from the general run of leathercraft books by not being "crafty" (i.e., about making junk) and presenting truly fine workmanship - not the equal of commercial products, but better. It is superbly illustrated and very much to the point. It presents tools, techniques, and projects in order of difficulty. The project items are worthwhile, beautiful, even elegant. No digressions on philosophy or history, no segues into other crafts, no lists of out-of-date websites and suppliers, etc. Buy it. It will elevate your vision as to what's possible.

This book is a welcome addition to my leatherworking library. Particularly since the the styles are similar to my own tastes - very plain, but elegant. Very different from the typical US type of leatherworking with lots of tooling, buckstitching, etc. Not that I don't appreciate that style also - I have a huge stack of Ann & Al Stohlman's books that I regularly re-read - but it is nice to see something *different*. The techniques, also, are a bit different in some cases, which I also appreciate.As the author is British, some of the terms and tools may seem unfamiliar at first. However, there are either the "American-English" equivalents listed, or it's clear what is meant from skimming the text. A definite addition to any leatherworkers'library.

This book is a must for anyone interested in first quality and serious leather work. Its clear and the tips are very valuable.

A breath of fresh air! It has been a long time since a book about Leathercraft held my interest like this one does. I have worked in this field for more than twenty years and books on the craft are fairly hit and miss with the subject. Valeries book is well layed out and very informitive. Good descriptive text and pictures, make the projects therein, a breeze. Although it is a small selection of how to skills for the Leathercrafter, the selection is different and challenging. Highly recommended for schools etc