Restoring a leather work bag / restoration

This old leather work-bag gets a much needed restoration and new life!
Leatherwork starter kit : bit.ly/3vMoC5h
Vegtan leather: bit.ly/3oEWFbu
LOXX closing mechanism: bit.ly/3BsJmCI
Utility knife: bit.ly/3ODUPlz
Strap cutter: bit.ly/3baECXD
Metal ruler: bit.ly/3znnl5E
Saddler's needles: bit.ly/3cEkzRw
Cutting mat: bit.ly/3cPxkZR
Stitching chisel: bit.ly/3bckwfq
Mallet: bit.ly/3zQaZEB
Exotic wood slicker: bit.ly/3barcuM
Edge beveler: bit.ly/3Saj26g
Thread pack: bit.ly/3PHB3qB
Fiebing's Pro Dye: bit.ly/3binI9h
Skiving knife: bit.ly/3ziSxTg
Cotton gloves: amzn.to/3eQnxzz
Alcohol burner: amzn.to/3OHZ9QX
Stitch groover: bit.ly/3oFl0hc
Tokonole: bit.ly/3Jef1cF
Thread zap: bit.ly/3OIY5Mw
Saphir renovateur: amzn.to/3zkAxI6
Saddle soap: bit.ly/3zf0N6Q
Leather protection cream: bit.ly/3vo7x19
Revolving punch: bit.ly/3BH9yJZ
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I make leather products in my spare time, mostly bags, backpacks and small items like wallets and card-holders. I am still learning a ton every time I take on a new project and always appreciate feedback on my creations.
For the moment I don't take orders as I like to spend too many hours getting the finished product as good as I can : this means that if I were to sell these bags, the selling price would be way more than the bags are worth due to the hours of work involved.
As always, do let me know what you think of this creation and this video. If you have any tips or comments about the techniques used, please let me know by dropping a comment below this video :)

[@dandavis2552]

The stains appear to be PVC pipe primer; (powerful stuff) perhaps from a plumber who carried around the solvent, primer, and fittings in the bag. The primer works by slightly melting the PVC fittings for solvent welding and contains a dye, which is in place for a plumbing inspector, to verify the primer was used in the gluing process of a project. Not really worth removing unless you sanded down the leather and went through with a darker dye. Hope that helps & nice seeing this video.

[@JamesBerry]

Thank you so much Dan for this insight ! Yes this helps a lot and I'm glad I didn't try to remove it in the end as it would have been really tough to get out or work around it. Glad you liked the video :)

[@taham33]

This video really is a testament of how sturdy and resilent leather is.

[@JamesBerry]

Hahah thanks for the message, I totally agree on how amazing good leather can be :)

[@nathandkreosote9917]

I have rewatched this video many times because I love this channel and enjoy seeing a fellow leatherworker in the craft. Leather restorations are so satisfying, good job sir.

[@JamesBerry]

Thank you so much for your message, so pleased you like this :)

[@elmarihanekom348]

I found a old leather bag from World War 2 amoung my mother's stuff when she died of Covid 19 in January 2021. Is is embossed with pictures of the Pyramits and sent home by a SA soldier from Egypt. In good condition but a piece of the strap cut off. You inspired me to have another look at it and try to condition it a bit.

[@JamesBerry]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I'm pleased this inspired you to condition your mother's old bag :) Good leather can go a really long way with a bit of simple love and care. Hope it works out for you :)

[@dungeondesigns104]

I'm a little late to the party, but Leather New is a great product that I have used for years restoring old saddles. Spray it on and use a soft bristled tooth brush to scrub it in then wipe it off once it foams. It cleans and conditions and really gives old leather a new life. Check it out if you can get your hands on it.

[@JamesBerry]

Thanks a ton for the input, I did not know about this product! Will see if I can get my hands on some to test it out. In the meantime, Saphir Renovateur works a treat for me.

[@jaroslavb.korinek7285]

Found an old leather satchel last month, about 50 years old, filthy and with rotten stitches. Gonna make her a beauty again, thanks for the tips!

[@Lumi1414]

Very satisfying to watch this great little bag come back to life!

[@JamesBerry]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed watching this :)

[@yveb9074]

James you are so easy to listen to. Great video. Thanks.

[@JamesBerry]

Thank you Yve :) So glad you like it!

[@mysticwolf11]

I have a leather messenger bag which I LOVE that is showing some severe signs of wear and tear. This video makes me feel inspired to "restore" it so it can keep doing what it does for me. Thanks!

[@JamesBerry]

Thank you! So pleased I can motivate others to restore their bags :)

[@JamesBerry]

Check out the tools I use and recommend here: www.amazon.com/shop/jamesberry See what I'm selling on my Etsy shop: etsy.me/2RV4Dwe

[@shevyakamichelle6905]

Love love love the repurposed old turned into new! Great job!

[@JamesBerry]

Thank you Shevy for your message, I'm glad you like it :)

[@matthewward7220]

Fabulous restoration James. I love the end result!

[@JamesBerry]

Thank you for your message Matthew :) Glad you like it !

[@jassielpeguero3373]

For the stains, what I usually use is dish soap with warm water with a little bit of degreaser. Just a tiny little of it. Why? It does help. But the process you´ve been through with the leather of this bag (the oil and conditioner) actually will help to not let the leather dry out after the washing and cleaning process. After cleaning my bags (I´m a vintage Coach and Dooney &Bourke bags collector), I let them dry in a very sunny spot (but with indirect sunlight over them) for about a day and then condition and seal them again. I do that every summer for about a month all the years. Just to keep them in shape. You can also get some Saddle Soap just to clean it very very well. Hope my comment could help.

[@JamesBerry]

That's a really great habit you have and I'm sure they'll survive decades longer than they would have thanks to your care. I like your method that's really soft on the leather and a great choice if the items aren't being used much. Thanks for your input in this :)

[@deborahcurtis1385]

Great hint! I've recently bought a very old Celine bag with handles that are very darkened stained and very dry! Stupidly I used a fabric cleaner, misreading the label. Over time this will degrade the bonds holding the leather together, so I need to remove all traces of this, nourish and seal it. So I'm going to try your hint, I've got a degreaser that's used for bikes. A few drops of that might do with the other ingredients. The other thing is some people want vachetta leather to stay that colour. Completely unrealistic! Leather darkens with age and use it's a natural process. As we know...The bag was cheaper because of the darkened leather. Also some say you shouldn't use wax based products, ordinary kiwi style shoe polish or other saddle type products. I think it's a bit of mystification to only buy super expensive bag spa type products. I'm heartened to see the confident use of both here.

[@cidneytso6342]

Like the stains looks like it was done on purpose!!! Love it

[@JamesBerry]

Hahah thanks Cidney :)

[@samsun01]

restoring a piece of shift leather bag and the 'restored' new is still a piece of shift. well done, sir.

[@Theodor86G]

Instead of trying to get rid of the Stain, you could have tried to recolor the whole Bag. Like painting it dark Brown or Black. But in the Final Result, the Bag looks still great!

[@JamesBerry]

I did consider this but was worried that I would not get the dye job to match or that this process would reveal other lighter stains (from oils or other products). In the end I'm also very glad I did not do this :) Thanks for your comment Theodor!

[@teresagibson4946]

Have a BREE tote bag. It had rain stains (I assumed it was rain) all over it. literally. It took forever but I used a water based baby wipes. And it's now in very good shape. Not perfect but very good shape. I used "Chamberlain's leather milk formula #1". It only slightly darkened the blond color leather. Also Bickmore's Bick 4 is excellent for conditioning. Without darkening leather if you do not want the color to change or change drastically.

[@JamesBerry]

Ah I've heard of Bick 4 before and wish it were more available here in Europe! Bedo's Leatherwork uses it all the time and loves it.

[@LSMitchell]

The stains add character. Sort of like furniture manufactured with stress marks. They will beat the wood with a chain before staining and sealing.

[@bevvy60]

That’s amazing transformation..

[@JamesBerry]

Thanks, glad you approve :)

[@annahmorris3050]

Love it!! Thank you!!

[@lingresley8777]

Loved watching this transformation to a really nutty beautiful hand finished treasure . I think a caustic substance created the marks, caustic soda has done that to my work boots, it eats and dissolves, so neutralize with vinegar quickly. Perhaps you could have created a few more just to the lower front randomly to balance that original " art work" In this chuck away world it's wonderful to see your work to preserve.!

[@splootan]

Great job as a camera bag!

[@JamesBerry]

Cheers :)

[@onehappyoldgoat7124]

This bag looks almost identical to the original saddle bags on my original 1954 NSU motorcycle

[@LSMitchell]

Thank you for the product links.

[@season.appreciation8102]

Looks amazing

[@JamesBerry]

Thanks!

[@subscricoesmotard7288]

This is beautiful

[@JamesBerry]

Thanks!

[@RepairShoe]

yes, the advantage of such suitcases, of course, is that they will not be spoiled by restoration. And in life they are eternal. I guess you enjoyed your work

[@roseleaf6681]

Love the video! The bag looks great!🌟

[@JonelleElise]

This is amazing!!! You did a beautiful job on this bag!

[@JamesBerry]

Thank you for your message, so pleased you like it :)

[@imransabir1680]

Brilliant work

[@JamesBerry]

🙏

[@teresagibson4946]

Fyi if you want the saddle soap to froth use a horse hair round head shoe brush. Not a towel.

[@JamesBerry]

Thanks for the tip, I learnt of this after making the video :')

[@DanielMcBrain]

Good work, I liked it very much

[@JamesBerry]

Thank you Daniel, glad you enjoyed it :)

[@algodonrabo5390]

James, Your video is quite enjoyable. The restoration turned out nicely. The stain you reference appears as if it could be blood. If so, try using hydrogen peroxide to reduce its coloration. However, the stain may always leave some discoloration. Be sure to rinse the area thoroughly to neutralize the peroxide.

[@JamesBerry]

Thanks for sharing this insight! I'll keep this in mind if I'm ever faced with a similar issue in the future :)

[@ariellopez-bu9hl]

Nice restoratie!

[@JamesBerry]

Thank you :)

[@jasminewadsworth6059]

Looks very beautiful ❤️🌹❤️🌹u can not tell u restored it and modified it 🌹❤️❤️❤️🌹

[@JamesBerry]

Thank you so much for your kind words Jasmine, really pleased you like it :)

[@luckymv]

Really enjoyed this!

[@JamesBerry]

Thanks Miguel, I appreciate your comment!

[@campampates]

Good effort, however i think it would have been fine by just making it a little darker after a good wipe...no need to waste addtl leather on this...just touch it up and put it to work again.

[@gracyd326]

If it’s mine.I will wash and scrub it with mild soap to remove the stain a and re stain it.

[@carlomagnojamisola4052]

wow it's like restoring a classic car..

[@mikanesbit4649]

Love this. Thanks!

[@JamesBerry]

Thanks Mika, glad you enjoyed it :)

[@Heidegaff]

6€? You're lucky mate! I would've picked that up even if there was no chance of restoring it, by the look it looks like 3mm leather, sand it up, glue it, and it's some great material to make other projects from.

[@JamesBerry]

Hahah completely agree, was a great find and I'm really pleased with the result :)

[@oxin1099]

i really wany an old leather bag now

[@JamesBerry]

They're always worth looking out for at flee markets and garage sales ;)

[@SH-vm1rz]

I am so happy that one's garbage is other's treasure....i found today a good leather bag...i would like to give it a shine does Vaseline do the job?

[@JamesBerry]

So glad you enjoyed the video :) I would not use vaseline for this as it dosen't have any of the oils that leather needs to stay nurished. If you can, try to pick up some neatsfoot oil or a leather conditioning cream: these will do a much better job and help protect the leather for the years to come.

[@SH-vm1rz]

@@JamesBerry thanks for your reply.. Unfortunately all shops are closed because of the world-wide situation...next time will do...waiting for more...like your work😊🎈

[@tommygamba170]

You have to froth the soap by putting some water in the can and using a brush and whipping it. And then you put it onto the leather

[@JamesBerry]

I've been testing a lot with saddlesoap since this video and find that your words are totally true, if only I had known earlier :') Thanks for the comment!

[@mickfromaustralia902]

Very enjoyable and good work. Did you consider knocking the new leather's surface about to "age" it a little, so it blended a little better with the original? Thank you for a very helpful video.

[@JamesBerry]

Hi Mick, no I didn't think of this. To be honest I quite like the contrast - it's obvious that it's a new piece and think this adds to the bag more than anything. Thanks for the message.

[@askunz1]

Does one ever use oil on the sued side of the leather? I have a bag that is quite stiff and dehydrated, and I've been using coconut oil on both sides to try to revitalize it.

[@JamesBerry]

Technically you can and it won't hurt the leather - I've done it on 50/60 year-old bags that were dryer than sand in the desert. The problem with it though is that the flesh or suede side of the leather will drink up that oil VERY fast making it hard to spread the oil well over all the surface, and so easy to oversaturate certain areas of the leather. If possible, simply do several coats on the top side of the leather and let it slowly absorb in in several light coats of oil.

[@Justin-nl2vv]

I have been searching for this answer for over a week now. I have tool bags i would like to suble up and im looking for techniques on how to do this. For example i have thought about putting neatsfoot in a spray bottle to spread yet not oversaturate. Thoughts?​@JamesBerry

[@ginnysimpson5232]

I've had good luck with acetone.

[@JamesBerry]

Thanks Ginny, yes this seems like it's a popular choice for removing stains. Next time I'll have to test on a small area of the bag first to see if that's a solution as I was really worried it wouldn't work and, more importantly, that it would make things even worse.

[@ginnysimpson5232]

@@JamesBerry It's always good to test a spot first. I used acetone to take burgundy shoes with black toes to straight mahogany and to strip the factory finish from shoes..

[@karimbenabdellah9292]

عمل رائع وجميل

[@debra2107]

This bag is incredible! I'm so glad I found your channel and thank you for saving this gorgeous bag! I do have a question: what product would you use to clean the inside of the bag? Thank you!!!

[@JamesBerry]

Thank you so much Debra for your comment, I'm glad you liked the video :) I would suggest using some alcohol to give the interior a quick clean then follow up with saddle soap. Hope this helps!

[@alanherrera_x]

Pensé que estaba viendo un video de Christopher Frost

[@JamesBerry]

Hahah, me gustaria much hacer video como el! Gracias amigo!

[@tassiespirit]

Shoe repairers use acetone or Saphir Decapant to strip the old stains/wax and polish etc. off the boots and shoes. Do not use Mineral Turpentine, that is good to remove glues off leather but it will stain veg tan.

[@JamesBerry]

Agreed, thank for the message! I would probably try acetone next as a stain remover though it can be very harsh on leather.

[@ladymorganofficial]

Its beautiful !!

[@JamesBerry]

Thank you Patrycja, glad you like it :)

[@donjuandemarco9]

Good work, i was wondering could you please let me know how/where/what/ kind of rivets you got?

[@DrGarri]

You could have tried to clean the bag using pure acetone, it dissolves almost anything and it doesn't damage the leather.

[@JamesBerry]

Thanks for the tip, I'll start testing out acetone a bit more as I've seen this being used quite a bit but am worried that it's too strong.

[@Excel4wd]

Try acetone on those stains with a micro fiber cloth

[@JamesBerry]

Thanks :)

[@izireal-estate3619]

Nice

[@JamesBerry]

Thank you Izi :)

[@tommygamba170]

Next time after washing it with saddle soap clean it with alcohol. Then lightly dye it better to use a airbrush. Then cover it and Rosaline. Then the inside apply nestfeet oil.

[@JamesBerry]

Thanks for the tip! I'm afraid the alcohol would dry out the leather more than needed. I guess this could be useful for something that's got a few stains you want to ry to remove but in my case I feel more secure avoiding this. Would love to get my hands on a good airbrush!!

[@leopardontheprowl]

Ooo. I don't think I could bring myself to use a product with seal oil. Oil derived from the normal food chain I'm fine with, but wild seals? That sits wrong with me. We all have our own opinions though.

[@usernamemykel]

Seals ARE in the "normal food chain" - you never heard of Polar bears and sharks???????????????????????????//

[@lizzyshepherd4569]

You should have more subs - good tube bro

[@JamesBerry]

Hahah thanks Lizzy :)

[@jadabrowskitom]

Hello, I have been a fan of your work for a while now, and got myself into restoring leather bags. Do you have any tips for how to remove darker spot from a bag where too much of saddle soap have been used? Thanks, keep up the good work, maybe another bag build, fanny bag perhaps? All the best

[@JamesBerry]

Hi Tomasz, I would recommend cleaning it once more with saddle soap to try to even out the colours. In my experience these dark patches often dissapear after a few day when the piece dries out fully. Thanks for the encouragements in posting and good luck with your stain :)

[@dmg4415]

May it be blood? Some one cut them self, working hard?

[@malcolmweams2303]

If I send you a bag could you work on it

[@amandoreyes6780]

What tool did you use to cut the leather, at the 8:20 mark? That's not a, skiving knife, is it? Thank you.

[@JamesBerry]

Hi there, it is a skiving knife from Vergez Blanchard :) I keep it really sharp so is often my go-to knife.

[@justice.wilson686]

Where do you get the tools and dye ect.?

[@JamesBerry]

You can find links to all the products and tools I use in the video description :)

[@oscarluna5352]

What was the soap you used?

[@JamesBerry]

It's called saddle-soap and can be found in most hardware stores.

[@user-mu7pe3hv7e]

hi James, could you tell me which brand and type of leather glue you use in this video, please?

[@JamesBerry]

Hiya, I use Neoprene CR103. The specific brand is generic to the shop I got it at.

[@user-mu7pe3hv7e]

@@JamesBerry thank you!

[@tbob8212]

What tools from that blue box did you use to remove the old rivets? I've seen a video where a guy stamped an indentation into the rivet head then drilled into the indent he made thus removing the rivet. I've got two rivets to remove from a leather rucksack strap.

[@JamesBerry]

Hi Daniel! I would recomend the drill idea as you don't cut out as much leather - I simply found a round hole punch that was larger than the original rivet and punched the whole thing out.

[@tbob8212]

@@JamesBerry Thanks for the reply! I will do the drilling process I've seen done on another video. Thanks :)

[@deborahcurtis1385]

It's different if the rivets are rare (e.g. designer no longer available) and need to be preserved. Very tricky then!

[@CHAD-RYAN]

You could hake a lok of good wallets out of that, that can last 100years

[@gorgosaurus6799]

could u use body lotion to nourish the leather?

[@JamesBerry]

In theory yes.... BUT be careful to use something that doesn't have any perfumes or things that could harm the leather. I wouldn't advise using body lotion but, in theory at least, your skin is a type of leather so you should be mostly ok using it. But again, if you can, you would be better off grabbing some leather cream as they really don't cost much and you would be less at risk of hurting your piece. Hope this helps !

[@rossellemaewallin8197]

What did you use for stitching?

[@JamesBerry]

I used Crimson Hides stitching irons in 4mm spacing and a saddle-stitch technique.

[@xcalberr]

Looks like wood stain

[@JamesBerry]

Ah that would be a good guess ! Do you have any idea if this is removable and how one would go about this ? (for future projects)

[@harrisolanaling572]

Can i have that.. Bag? Jeje LOL

[@JamesBerry]

Hahah, would love to be able to say yes to this ;)

[@hopeindirect4165]

Well well well, when I put on ma leather, and rock to sum Metallica, Delta Parole, Foo Fighters or the Smashing Pumpkins I feel like I can do anything in the whole wide world.

[@beedoubleu547]

Crack is bad

[@user-fn7ih7zq3q]

Those are pen marks stains on that leather bag!

[@SB_whatevers]

Good content, but too much talking. The blah blah blah detracts from what you are doing.

[@Lord_Nemesis8]

You should be a hand model …❤