The right way to case leather for tooling

[@Ps2352]

This made the biggest difference in my shading. Thanks

[@peregrineelea2686]

All your videos are so helpful!! thank you for putting out all this free educational content :) it's really helping me out on my journey!

[@yasi1890]

That's exactely the answer to all my questions i had 16min and 9s earlier! Thanks!

[@travisstafford397]

Thank you this is one of the most informative videos I’ve watched. As a beginner to leather craft I needed this.

[@joemeling3216]

Getting the right moisture content can be often overlooked by beginners but it is so important. I hope this video makes things a bit more clear for you.

[@djchubbsShaving]

Thank for the info !!!!! I’m just getting started!!!!

[@Jamie-k7e7e]

Great job! Thank you 🙋🏼‍♀️

[@carr869]

That was a really good comparison video on casing. Thank you for taking the time to make and share this with us.

[@brittlanders351]

Agreed. This helps!

[@DavidHart-cb7oz]

Thank you. That sure helps me . Now I guess more practice. Great job

[@BladeDMC]

Very useful video! Thanks! 👍🏻

[@markbrock8662]

Very informative. Thanks for taking the time!

[@calencawley1013]

Thank you for sharing. Very helpful for a inspired beginner looking for info /knowledge!! 🙏🏼

[@mohammedabubakari1856]

I admire your works

[@manuelmancia3911]

wonderful explanation! I learn more than six months ago, this art is only Will make perfecto with constantly practice, ando practice, I was very frustrating with tooling, but I improve every day, practice is the only way to have the Best results, thanks mister Meling, You are awesome, good night, My Best wishes Ford You and your family.

[@markwilkerson6785]

Great video on casing leather.. I found it very helpful

[@travisstafford397]

Thank you so often I’ve read that you must case the leather but that was it. Your video has the details I needed.

[@joemeling3216]

You’re welcome! I’m so glad to hear it was helpful. Thank you for taking time to watch it!

[@teresamantei4818]

Wow this is helpful!!

[@0lei3]

6:03 I've tried feeling it through the screen and you were right I cannot feel it. :P

[@KaraKorengel]

Have you ever tried adding soap to the water? I was always taught to add a small about of dish soap to warm water when applying the water to the leather. It’s been said that by doing this, it will help the blade move easier. I’m just curious what your thoughts are on this. Thank you!

[@jaystewart7764]

THANK YOU !!! EXCELLENT VID !!

[@ronpeterson9055]

Good information, really helped.

[@jeffkokes1360]

dude i didnt know how important moisture is! this may be one of the most important tooling vids ive seen

[@mikevan7870]

Thanks Joe for the help can’t wait for my Barry King #2 to see that good burnished look keep up the good work . Thanks Again !

[@joemeling3216]

New tools are exciting! Thanks for watching!

[@boydhilley9951]

Good video. This is info that I needed. Thanks

[@taziozaffarone6899]

Thanks for showing your amazing technique

[@shirleymalar304]

Wow! This is the best explanation of how to determine the proper moisture content of cased leather I have seen! Thank you, Joe. This is a 'game changer' for me!

[@susanna1207]

Great video, thank you, I’ve learned a lot.

[@smartagency7777]

thank you very much..❤❤❤❤❤

[@olafdelke-lejeune6093]

Incredibly helpful advices!! Thanks. 👍

[@prometheus4916]

Joe what tool do you use to make them stright line stand out like that I'm new to leather I'm try to find out what I'm needing to order to make that happen wanting to buy all my tools at one time then I'll sign up for your classes I want to get this done as soon as possible thank you for such great videos

[@KingLoopie1]

Thanks for these videos, Joe! I'm just beginning to do any tooling at all and these are really helpful tips to get me going on the right direction! 👍👍

[@ReaperStrain4819]

Great pointers! Id say yeah mushy would be about the only way to describe tooo wet. Keep up good work!

[@joemeling3216]

Thank you! Haha yes, mushy is the best I can come up with.

[@kingleon1947]

How do you remove the tape from the back of your project??

[@jackkrag]

thank you sir.

[@406montana59840]

What causes the blue smudges from stamping or tooling? The seems to be on the rough side. Kinda bugs me when I see it.sometimes if I over. Wet the leather. Got any advices.

[@joesbarbecue1]

Winner winner chicken dinner! Great information. Thanks.

[@juansantoyo6222]

Do you use tape on the back of your leather before you tool it?

[@joemeling3216]

Yes, I like to use a clear packing tape.

[@yasminbadr1193]

Thanks so much

[@maciejwysocki3089]

Guys I am leatherworking amateur and 1yr into leather carving. I apply the tips you give us, though I never achieve this "burnishing" dark color variation, no matter what I do. I use veg tanned leather but I saw in other videos that some leather types may not have this very nice effect. Can anyone recommend me a specific leather tannery that offers shipment in Europe-Poland with leathers suitable for tooling in regards of the burnishing effect ?

[@caseypurdum5822]

This has been super helpful. I have had the line move when bevelling (like the too wet leather) when I didn't think it was to wet. I didn't have Herman oak Leather, just a cheaper veg tan leather. Could that be part of it?

[@fuzzroesler1782]

Can I use eco-flo Hi-Lite color stain for a back ground?

[@jhunnail505]

That’s awesome thanks

[@jojopaul6136]

Is it possible to tool 3-4 ounce leather

[@drewgrob9791]

what brand is your maul an weight ?

[@Jib230181]

hi there I’m a newbie to leather crafting I done a bit tooling last night on a pattern and the banishing was coming through quite nicely nice and crisp and dark but I come to it today after it’s dried and the banishing isn’t as dark as before so just quick question what can cause this to happen? The leather I’m using is supposed to be a very good grade it looks very clean and nice is pretty thin at 2mm just wondering if I didn’t have it 100% perfect wetness or hammering hard enough if that is a thing. A little help if you can I appreciate it. Thank you.

[@schalklubbe407]

Joe would you recommend re-casing the entire project when it becomes too dry or just the portion that you are working, on belts and straps for axample

[@joemeling3216]

In most cases I recommend rewetting the entire project. That avoids water stains as it dries.

[@r.q.5457]

Thanks Joe, this video helped! What is the absolute minimum, ounce weight leather that can be carved? Thx

[@joemeling3216]

You’re welcome. I’ve tooled as low as 3oz before but I don’t recommend going less than a 5-6oz unless the project absolutely requires it.

[@nightshade7240]

Hi Joe, been inspired to start attempting tooling. I don't have access to the same sort of leather you do but I bought some scrap leather pieces of different kinds just to see if I could get a feel for it. I find quite a bit of it won't burnish at any point in the casing process. Even though it is veg tan, is there just some leather that won't burnish or take good impression? I am very new to this so user error might be in play but I was just curious. Also is there a quality to leather that dictates how well it cases, tools and burnishes? I want to access the best leather I can but I don't have the budget for expensive leather.

[@workinprogress5431]

Hope you've made some progress in the meantime but figured I'd share what I know. Being new myself I found thinner scraps of veg tan (2-4oz) didn't work very well, but when I bumped up to some 5-6oz belly cuts things improved. These were all the basic economy veg tan from Tandy. The 5-6oz belly cuts were $20 each and the most affordable I could find in appropriate thickness for tooling, and I've been happy so far. They're irregular size but great for practice or smaller pieces like knife sheaths or wet molding as well.

[@robertsebetka7330]

Casing and Burnishing Leather

[@brycebentley4809]

What Barry king velvet size would you recommend for all around use

[@brycebentley4809]

Beveler

[@joemeling3216]

I really like my number 2 for a universal size

[@outfitr9703]

Do you always use the higher grades of herman oak? I'm kind of a sucker for bargain, on sale leather.

[@joemeling3216]

I do. The higher quality leather makes such a difference when you tool it. I love bargain leather when it comes to chrome tan leather but I don’t compromise with my veg tan leather.

[@mohammedabubakari1856]

Pls I want Side to buy leather Tools any happy From Ghana Africa

[@mp6448]

Great video - I definitely learned a lot! Does the color shading and burnishing remain as distinct after the leather loses its moisture? Or does it start to look like it does on the dry leather? Thanks!

[@joemeling3216]

It will fade slightly but the idea is that by getting a good burnish to start with, it will hold a lot of that color.

[@mohammedabubakari1856]

Hello

[@aixpert291]

Lol! Look what got recommended!

[@readytostartshooting]

Thank you!!!! Wow!!