How Much Have We Leveled Up?

[@SkillTree]

I realize we forgot to show the original designs of the project!! If you are interested in seeing it, check it out here: drive.google.com/file/d/1ZtT6iyKeQG7kwA396VgZlDgfERyVJSio/view?usp=sharing

[@gregoriancatmonk6904]

I think it's time for a leather scalemail shirt, maybe have the scales have a blue or gold trim...., then a set of matching forearm guards and greaves.

[@MasterMafiaDK]

I would love to see you guys tackle making a gambeson from scratch maybe even a blue one to match the leather armor

[@lgrzerostr]

is this the template you mentioned in the video? thanks for sharing all your knowledge!

[@komradechampa348]

I don't seem to be able to find the template anywhere in the description? And the design here doesnt really have any measurements or the smaller piece?

[@georgehrenchir3408]

"I used an awl to scratch ...awl... around the design." Please don't unsubscribe me lol.

[@SkillTree]

I will have you know.... I made the same joke but it got edited out🤣🤣🤣🤣. You are in good, terrible company.

[@bagel_guy9495]

This had me rolling on my floor

[@Crits-Crafts]

​@@SkillTreeyou should have left it in...

[@Lorienhal]

​​@@SkillTreemake an end of the year editing blooper reel! I think it would gain HUGE traction, I guarantee I would watch it!

[@cosmicbrambleclawv2]

I too made the same joke 😂

[@statesrights01]

The guy who can take a mistake and make it an art form is truly a great teacher!!

[@reagandotson2059]

I kind of like how the two pauldrons look together. You should make a character who scavenges armor, weapons, and tools.

[@lornacy]

Yeah this 😊

[@CalliopePony]

The new piece looks like something a lord would wear as ceremonial armor. The old one looks like something that is more for regular use.

[@christopheraufdengarten1177]

Babe, Babe, wake up, Skill Tree just unploaded a new video.

[@marsmars2851]

Hey Cl3ver, one more time I'm gently asking you to turn your attention to making a pair of leather shoes from scratch. My pair that I started like century ago is almost finished (which is my second leather project ever), and I would love to compare it with someone's work who knows leathercraft. Also, I'm sure lots of people would like to make their own pairs, and you are a great tutor!

[@If-ish]

I'd love to see you do a gorget some time. Pauldrons look cool, but a gorget is more historically appropriate. Plus you can attach the pauldrons to it.

[@spacemoses0]

There is definitely an upgrade to the skills used in this video. Aside: AM I the only one not seeing the inserts in the video? Like every time he points to the corner, nothing pops up for me.

[@SkillTree]

Nope! That was my fault! I just put them in!!!!

[@cbjewelz]

Still not working for me!@@SkillTree

[@BlackBeastWorkshop]

perfect timing again, I've been working on some pauldrons of my own

[@LadyVineXIII]

I love them both too. You've definitely come a long way. The first one looks like a soldier's piece while the second looks like a lord or knight's.

[@specs6637]

I love how the editing is all over the place 🤣

[@Jynnifer]

Ok so I have to comment on how beautiful these turned out

[@David35445]

Okay, the hammering technique is also a game changer for me. I need to revisit my stamping. I currently suck at it. Also the trick to prevent dye bleeding is spot on. I just need to get some of those brushes, they almost look like calligraphy brushes. You've always got a trick for my own "leveling up"!

[@richardruiz3654]

Definitely a WIN at leveling up. :)

[@Manwitch60]

Great improvement on the new pauldrons! I'd sub out a chicago screw for the single rivet, less likely to break, and definitely going to use that hammer hack for beveling. You might say that I'm "beveling up!"

[@connoreliassen1962]

Greetings, Kit Clever, Blessed Champion of Hephaestus, God of Craftsmen, Blacksmiths and Intelligence.

[@410colepyro3]

How I learned leather working was from my Grandpa who had a bunch of old tools and I also learned it in boy scouts when I took the leather working badge. I still used his old tools today

[@bryanmoreland2861]

I love how it turned out. I like the more detail.

[@mamadee9548]

Loving the upgrade. You’ve definitely levelled up and I loved the originals. Weird side question, who does your nails? I’ve often noticed you have them painted but every so often you have a funky design and I love your nails in the vid. If you do it yourself can you do a larp friendly job. I like the idea of an elemental design as a way to do mage casting. Each nail has a different element upon it so the way your fingers touch creates the spell and the nail design gives you memory prompts. I have been tempted to have this idea tattooed with UV ink on my hands but I may be taking it to far 😂

[@HDBrown-wc9xt]

Total up grade!!! Blue thread would have been my choice on that top piece with the badge. Just to tie it in more to the other ones

[@williambaldwin6779]

The one thing about the gold that surprised me is when I saw your thumbnail for the video I thought you were adding an extra layer of leather as border trim but to my surprise it’s just one piece. It really adds a large amount of depth at a distance even up close as well.

[@matthewhansen5669]

First, your advancement in skill is amazing. I'm just now advancing to stiff veg tan and artistry, so I admire your artwork. Second, advancing to thicker armor leaves larger gaps for swords to cut into. So your under-layer should be a solid sheet of leather, not straps. Finally... thanks for the tip on letting the hammer drop! I'm using it from now on.

[@karladenton5034]

Small Scale workshop/studio. I am a fiber and fabric crafter. I have no sewing room or even a dedicated sewing space. What I do have is a sturdy drop leaf dining room table, a counter height buffet with an 18 x 24 inch cutting mat that just fits, an ironing board and two IKEA type carts. And a vintage sewing machine. Plus a couple of big but thin boxes that once held furnace filters that I've flattened out to protect my table top- the weight of the machine is enough to hold them in place. I can and have sewn full sized quilts, a gambeson (those old cast iron Singers from the 1950s and earlier are BEASTS), the straight (hidden) seams of several shirts and chemises and petticoats - so many petticoats! Everything tucks into the hall closet and takes less than 10 minutes to set up and take down. Maybe 15 if I stop to sweep up all the threads and fluff and put the buffet decore back. It's all about not over buying materials, not having much of a stash (if any), not having many works in progress (one large and one or two small is about the limit for me), not going overboard getting every single tool you might ever need. Let the drawers and bins of your cart determine how much stuff. When it's full, you have to get rid of something. And given the choice between a large fancy sewing machine with all the bells and whistles and 50 specialized feet and fancy electronics in a big dedicated cabinet and a half sized tabletop vintage machine (a 1955 Singer 99), I went with the smaller, older but much more compact (and not co-incidentally much cheaper) option. I feel really blessed to have a dining room; in college, I sewed at my desk and had to put everything away every time, with only my Featherweight Singer (which is about the size of a vintage makeup case when it's all packed away) and 12x8x10 inch sewing basket. My IKEA carts are palatial by contrast. Would I like a studio? Of course I would and it may happen some day, but for right now, I'm still a maker and that's what really matters.

[@greenevegiebeast]

We had a nabor that was a saddle maker. He would trace the "artwork" onto tracing paper. With a pencil. Then flip it and trace it on to the leather.

[@g4all205]

The first one looks like a casual pauldron and the new one looks like a formal pauldron for fancy events.

[@SkillTree]

pauldron in the sheets, pauldron in the streets 🤣

[@TheMimzez]

if it's a non-textured bevel, you can fix the ripples by just holding the tool in your hand and rubbing it over the rippled area to even it out. also there's a stamp tool called a double bevel that is a V shape made specifically to bevel both sides of a cut at the same time for that quilted look (I don't have one but I know that it is a thing)

[@emmanuelearato7022]

you are a genius, an artist, wow, I've already learn so much about leather from you!!!

[@bear788]

Reall nice upgrade from the original pauldron. I remember you making the first one and thought it was nice, but you knocked it out of the park on the new one.

[@Mark-ki7ic]

Kit your nails are painted in morse code it looks like, translation ? Great video

[@SkillTree]

It IS. Nice catch! It says, "Clever Fox!"

[@Mark-ki7ic]

Got a Nat 20 on my perception 😋

[@tvheadd]

Watching you level up these last couple of years has been a real treat, keep leveling up you.❤

[@M4st3r0fN0n3]

10:00 Alternately, use a bone tool at a matching angle and run it up and down each line after beveling. It evens everything out and burnishes the edges

[@thejollyroger9552]

Another little trick for the stamp waviness, if you run the stamp back and forth along the bit you just did, it'll smooth that waviness out a bit more

[@porkchopulator]

That is so sick. All the new tips and everything. I gotta make some sweet, sweet pauldron action.

[@renedemers8218]

Heads up! That "letting gravity of the hammer do the work" method is Also the best method for metal working - trying to add your muscle strength to hammer blows will cause tendonitis and muscles strain over time.

[@eostyrwinn5018]

The quilted look makes me think of a gambeson (quilted cloth armor) and made me think it could be cool to use that to sew extra padding/armor to the underside of the leather there

[@Kendo-eo9sv]

The new pauldrons look amazing, and I would certainly agree they are a level above your first ones, though I think the first ones still look great! I do have a couple of ideas. #1. On the older ones, cut some sword/axe blows into them with your swivel knife to give them a battle-scarred appearance. That is, if you think battle-scars are cool. #2. Dye the back side of the plates. When viewed from a side-on angle, it is easy to see between the plates, and the brand new leather with no patina at all can detract from the overall look.

[@joshuahawke1371]

This is reading my mind. I shall post my next project once it’s done

[@SkillTree]

I can't wait to see!!!

[@SparklesMcFartyPants]

You certainly have increased the skill! I have a question though, do you find that the piece rubs against your neck? Following in the barbarian theme, would you consider a piece of fur to line the upper portion of the armor?

[@dotjn5]

I love these vids, but did anyone else notice random production quirks? 5:44 and 24:10 were a bit low (also the video seems to be compressed with more artifacts) 0:49 "...leveling up this skill" skill level up shield thing doesn't pop up until 0:50 after the cut 2:56 Points to where art design should be 7:45 weird audio artifact. 10:39 lost frame? Probably jump cut 12:58 Cleric book card shows at 13:07 15:29 "I then went around...…I then went around" Probably meant to cut the 1st I then went around. 18:48 "out of, out of position" Frame skip/audio skip? Not pointing this out to be mean or picky. More to make sure the uploaded file wasn't corrupted or worse case the editing computer is having problems. I've been doing photography/video for 15 years and unintended artifacts are the first sign of problems to come. Usually I'm not a fan of gold, but damn those are sexy looking.

[@Floki1313]

Dang I wish I could get one of those outfits. I know ways to change them. But I always enjoy watching your videos.

[@markdavidmagat9866]

What was that MAtchbox song again? It fit's perfectly for this vid... oh "How Far We've Come" Super proud of you Clever for revisiting and improving a classic peice! Improve is an understatement. You ate and left no crumbs!

[@marcb3632]

It like in games when you upgrade your armor and it makes it fancier and more ornate

[@Zeldur]

I'm really curious, I've seen where people make experimental leather stamps using resin printing. I'd be interesting to see you explore this for a project ^^. I'm absolutely saving this video for when I eventually make this purse idea that I've been mulling over for a while

[@dontaecamacho5780]

Ngl I like the way you’d look with both of them on at the same time. Almost like Gareth has been rewarded or paid with a new piece of armor so he decided to just double up on the protection while remembering his roots. At least that’s how my brain took it lol

[@LinniuesLinens]

Timely! I'm currently designing some pauldrons and love seeing what you've learned.

[@DangerNoodlexoxo]

Hey at least you messed up the top one. The top one can get away with looking a little different since that where an emblem would go anyway lol. 😅

[@kameljoe21]

One day the leather skills will be enough to build a really nice jacket of armor for daily use!

[@paulangelo1974]

Please show how to harden leather. +1 versus edged weapons +2 versus bludgeoning weapons +3 to looking badass

[@SkillTree]

I LOVE this idea

[@electrochick2163]

Quick heads up your links and images aren’t showing in the video.

[@SkillTree]

Yeah, sorry about that, issue with the edit. We can't reupload for the pop-in images, but we will be able to add the links later!

[@RunningWolf13]

Boost!!!

[@electrochick2163]

@@SkillTree It’s alright, huge fan of your work so I’m just happy to let you know.

[@lextheap1638]

On the micro workshop. Micrrojig makes matchfit dovetail clamps, and I think their channel, or someone sponsored by them, made tutorial for a work bench from 2x6s somewhere on KZbin. A quick search should bring it up, maybe 731 woodworks portable workbench.. I use dovetail clamps for a lot of projects around the shop. Also this project is dope

[@andrewcutlip1412]

Looks amazing. In regards to the “single rivet” though, I might suggest using a Chicago screw instead. If it’s a single rapid rivet, it isn’t very strong. A Chicago screw is better for load bearing connections. I’m a leather crafting civil engineer so this part really stood out to me. Otherwise, it came out so well. I’m very impressed.

[@Kyle_McQ]

I just finished a pauldron for myself and psyched myself out of adding more detail into it. I'm going to pick my breastplate back up and really flex what I've learned!

[@djinso7391]

Love the new piece and love to see how you have lvl up your skill Would love to see if you would be able to create a whole set of leather armor matching the new piece you made in this video

[@carnivourfromtwitch9284]

Came at just the right moment; I've been stalling on cutting out the last piece I need to make my first big project of a pauldron because I don't want to waste the 9 oz leather I got from Tandy. Super scared that I didn't make the template big enough or don't have enough skill to nail the cutting out part. This has given me the confidence to take that next step and send it. Thanks mate

[@zoescott779]

I really like your nails Clever! I can't wait until they release the Ranger outfit 😊

[@draco5991rep]

The old one is like the battle armor and the new one a ceremonial armor

[@jabinthesrat7534]

It looked like the new Pauldron was riding up with ware and digging into the side of your neck, if that is the case I have some ideas that could help. (If not you may disregard this post) 1. You could try curling the edge of the top piece so if/when it rides up it won't irritate as much. You could add more design to the piece similar to medieval pauldrons with those wings jutting of the top to protect the neck from piercing. 2. You could attach them to your gauntlet/bracers/gloves to help anchor the pauldron and keeping it from riding up with ware. Design wise it can be as simple as a looped strap/lace/string that allows the gauntlet/bracer strap to feed into it. Or you could replace the gauntlet/bracer/gloves by extend the pauldron down to the hand similar to the Roman Gladiators adding some special connection for the bend in your arm. 3. You could do both!!! though not only would that cost lots of leather, but it might become too much of a good thing with all those colorful pieces. Hope any of this helps and have a nice day! (p.s. Even if you don't need to edit the pauldron these ideas could be useful/subject for future videos)

[@vhaelen326]

btw have you ever considered making a tutorial for lamellar armor? i think it would be a perfect fit for your channel as its incredibly cheap and unlike leather armor you dont need any fancy tools or dye's and to be frank not even skill or practice, imo its perfect for anyone, i had a tight budged so i ordered cheap lamellar plates, they were abit rusty but i didnt care, i paid 90 ish bucks for 400 plates (which was about 7 kilos of steel) and i had to pay 25 bucks for shipping, at that price i knew i wasnt getting mirror polished, spotless plates, but if i had the money i couldve ordered fancy plates, you do need some leather but honestly? picking up some used leather belts from a thriftstore work perfectly, depending on the plates i would also suggest atleast wrapping the lower part of the armor in leather but as long as you can cut a semi straight strip of leather and have some means to make a hole in it to attach it youre golden, its honestly something a 10 year old could do by himself with little instruction and as i said it should be affordable for almost everyone

[@SinfulSkinsLeather]

@skilltree you can rub the tool over the lines after you tool them in Or You can use a modeling spoon.

[@nostrathomas8057]

One words- Amazing. U truly leveled up that skill and it looks fantastic! I love it. .....damn it looks better than anything I've seen online lately, for sure

[@corbyrobinson3640]

I would LOVE to see you go through the process of making them "armor armor" and the various processes you indicated.

[@PocketKanin]

15:09 looooove your nails, give my adhd brain the good scratched while watching

[@rhaynehowlette5621]

First comment!! Woot!!! I love seeing your skills develop. I can't wait to get started on my projects.

[@ropeany1]

Those turned out really nice! One tip on doing your beveling is to use a tool called a modeling spoon instead of the bevel stamp. You just push it along your lines after you've cut them in and by holding it at an angle it'll leave a nice smooth bevel and do it a lot quicker and with less wearing out of your arm lol. Tandy has different styles of modeling spoons and they are all useful for doing this trick with depending on what your project is. The only time I use a beveling stamp anymore is if I want to use a textured one instead of a smooth one.

[@alexandersmall7380]

Can you make a gorget? I think that it'd be an interesting challenge because some of them served as badges of rank, while others were just for armor.

[@SkillTree]

I did a WHILE back (I wanna say 2 years ago) but I think it would be worth redoing!

[@alexandersmall7380]

While some were large and metal, which could be quite difficult to do, others were quite small and in some examples, they could be made with sand casting!

[@alexandersmall7380]

@@SkillTree As a lot of the later types of gorget were smaller, what could be interesting is if you make it like a "Ranger badge" or something to that effect. You walk into a tavern and go to the bar and ask the tavernkeeper a question, to which he remains aloof. "I said I was looking for Harkon", you say again as you point to the gorget aroud your neck. The tavernkeeper is taken aback and looks around before leaning towards you, "So what do you want to know?"

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Always love your content. Keep killing it!

[@SkillTree]

Right back at you! Your stuff has been a big inspiration!

[@OkamiDesuGa]

These videos always make me want to get into leather working. I'm just so unsure where to start!

[@STRAKAZulu]

Always good to keep improving, leveling up! I’ve made four sets of gaiters, and am about to make two new sets.

[@DH-xw6jp]

I recently added some black pinstripes to an oxblood red leather sheath (I used a stitch groover to cut the line, then infilled with USMC Black). And that dye bleed is real, none of my fine tip brushes were working, so I ended up using a bamboo skewer as a dip pen and added the dye _one drop at a time_ in an effort to prevent it from bleeding into the red. I will have to try the counterintuitive big brush technique next time.

[@SCARLETSPIDERBHJ]

Love the colors, great job!

[@SkillTree]

Thank you so much! Quite proud of how it turned out😁

[@jamesvarner6254]

If you are going to be in a hot place alot or have the leather in a car for instance I would highly recommend against wax hardening ... the wax will tend to bleed on anything wen it gets hot and everything will get stained

[@w1zady]

Great video as always, really cool to see the improvement! I don't know if you already talked about it somewhere, but I really dig your nail art. Might be a bit off-brand, but maybe you could do a video about how you do this at one point?

[@CrossTrainedMind]

Nicely done! I started leatherworking back in January and am just now finishing my full suit of armor for my larp. I'm dyeing the greaves as soon as I finish this comment. Then I'll work on my foam shield.

[@kida4star]

I love how accessible you make leather crafting look. I totally fiber craft along to your videos. I do have a question, have you ever done a leather inlay for a writing surface?

[@Runix1]

Beautiful project! Would love a video on hardening leather.

[@Crits-Crafts]

"adhd back back" sooo relatable

[@McGriffman]

Another awesome video... Lvl 1 armor vs Lvl 9 armor - very cool contrast.

[@NemFX]

Ah good, I was starting to worry about you guys. I vote for more winter stuff, cause I was stuck outside for an hour yesterday, and I basically had no winter gear on me, so warm things sound good.

[@hansakermann]

I understand that you wanted to add the blue edge to the top piece in some way eventhough you fotgot it at first, and that you put the emblem on that particullar piecefor that reason - and it DOES look good 🙂 However, if it wasn't because of that, I'd put the emblem at the middle of the shoulder. I just think it would be seen much more that way, and making the entire project look even better 👍 But again: I see and totally understand why you did it the way, you did

[@Bearking-ij6qe]

Great job! nice come up!

[@SvRijswijck]

Definite level increase! Personally I would have added a standing rim on the top to give it slightly more 3D lines. How did the new machine handle the 12+6oz. leather?

[@brassarrow1587]

That looks amazing

[@ChaosKumaVOD]

nice work! really looks great. and i love your morse code nails

[@druid189189]

Add a raised/stand up collar at the top scale so ot doesn't jam into your neck

[@jarrettkozelisky8334]

You always do such a great job, your energy is always so infectious i love it!! Because of you i'm going to try my hand at some leather working. I'd love to get the templates for those pauldrons. ;) Thanks for everything you do its always very entertaining.

[@michaelbrubaker4285]

I appreciate that you understand the importance of a sharp blade. However factory razors are actually somewhat dull. Grab yourself a piece of veg tan and mount it to wood. Get some jewelers rouge and strop those blades. You'll be surprised how much sharper they are and it is great on that saddle skirting.

[@therealqicksilver]

Love your videos! I've taken inspiration from several of your projects, and still have a few in my backlog to do. Not trying to be negative, but did you accidentally upload a slightly unfinished edit of this video, or were you a little more rushed this time? There were several times where you referred to linked videos or pointed to the corner where you intended to overlay a picture, but it wasn't included; and there was also at least one failed take left in. Obviously small errors, but your videos are usually so high quality those things stood out. Again not trying to be negative, just wanted to give you the feedback in case you hadn't realized! Keep up the great work!

[@SkillTree]

Oh yeah, we had some issues with the edit but figured it was better getting the video to you sooner than having to reexport and upload for the inserts. We appreciate you looking out for us though 💖

[@packetpirate]

They make bevel tools that bevel both sides, just so you know.

[@SkillTree]

I actually bought one for this but didn't like the look when I tested it. I think I just need more practice with them.

[@dmjole]

I suspect that the rivets holding the D-ring straps are not going to hold up to active use. They are too light for a stress point. You might think about replacing them with copper rivets and burrs, for heavy duty attachment.

[@DonaldMcDaniel-c4l]

WOW!!! Would you need to pad the strap that goes under your arm, or would you just use whatever you wore under the pauldron?👍👍👍👍👍

[@DavyLaStrange]

Good job! Your leather work is outstanding! Try using a resist like Fiebings Resoline or Pro Resist to help control colors . It's good to coat a project with before antiquing if you don't want the base color to be darkened too much, but still allows the paste to get into the nooks & crannies.

[@Seiaeka]

Woot! Video to make my day better!

[@SkillTree]

Comment makes MY day better!!!!

[@BoredxISxI]

I would honestly call forgetting the smaller border on the one a happy accident because now it draws the eye to the patch a lot more 😊

[@jeremyharrison3066]

I love you armor video

[@diegobob8971]

Amazing as always glad to see your skills growing!

[@nickdavis5420]

You can also use animal glue and it’ll harden it !

[@perrywmoore9346]

I love it, amazing.

[@vao879]

you definitely leveled up!

[@andrewfisher1051]

Very nice!