Rancourt handmade / handcrafted shoes:Some detail images I took from some Rancourt handmade shoes at the Amtraq Dist. stand @ the Bread&Butter fair july 2013. A true heritage brand which sews shoes since 3 generations.
Stitches, Leather Structure and Soles:
After a glass of Gin Tonic (Hendricks) I got the idea to take some macro shoots of Stitches, Leather Structures and Soles of my boots. Thats the outcome. Have a nice weekend!
Topodesigns Klettersack Navy/LeatherA special version of Topodesigns Klettersack with leather bottom and the lower sides. Very handy for placing the backpack on wet or rough ground. It keeps the rucksack dry and protects the Cordura (Not that 1000 Cordura needs too much protection, it´s already a tough material). The name Klettersack is earned by its functionality and solid construction. The weak spot of a Backpack is always the Zippers. As you can see Topo uses big and tough YKK ones. The lifetime of a Zipper defines the lifetime of your bag. They are hard to replace and if possible, it gets expensive. Avoid a backpack by all means with to small ones or those fancy watertight ones (they are crap).
The size of the backpack with 22 litres is just perfect for your daily use, a day in the mountains or other outdoor activities. With the straps and the additional ones available you will be able to increase the capacity to your needs. I got a serious faible for backpacks and I guess sooner or later my collection will be expanded by a Topo one. (and one with a broken/faulty zipper will get retired).
After the Denim Workshop – Webshop by Simon Tuntelder:
Recently a “friend” of mine Simon Tuntelder, opened a webshop with some products he crafted out of leather but also deadstock items he gathered. I wrote “friend” and not friend, be-cause I failed to meet Simon personally yet. We are in close contact since more than a year. First via following the others blog and then having discussions about vintage stuff and craftsmanship and quality products. I call him a “friend” knowing by heart that he is one of the good guys with the right attitude and for sure a good guy to talk to.
I´m far to be in the league with Simon when it comes to working with leather. He got a great knowledge when it comes to treat/restore leather and also to craft items for himself, friends or now for you. Do me a favor and check his new website and shop to have a look at his products he crafted. Not to forget to also point you to his blog where he shares his findings and knowledge.
RLX5513 handmade in Germany bags:
Having had a great weekend in Frankfurt, I was really happy to finally meet Peter Gernsberger from RLX5513 and have a look at the handbags he makes. Out of deadstock swiss army canvas and natural tanned leather he has designed and crafted a unique and wide range of bags. Made with a lot of skill and the style to be your next lifetimegear. Photos were taken inside and outside of the Lola Vingage box in Neu Isenburg. Check Peters Facebook site for more images of his bags.
Brooks leather saddles @ Copenhagen:
Brooks leather bicycle saddles are an investment for a lifetime. They will mold to the owners shape and are nearly indestructible, that is what makes them so popular. If you see them on a bike, they tell you that it´s owner got style and understood their true value . So I was really fascinated to see that in Copenhagen they were such a common view. With so many cycling “Freaks” in this city with a natural sense for good design and well made products, it made total sense.
I was drawn more and more to take images from the various types I saw on the streets. Their different colors, leather structure and worn patterns. Some people were really puzzled to figure out what image I took with my camera. See the result of just some of the images I took above, probably I will make a large printout as a collage.
Just found a great site devoted to the Copenhagen bicycle culture -> Copenhagenize
Straight Razor – my first strop!
About 2 years ago I bought my first strop to hone/sharpen my straight razors. There are some fancy 100 Euro + models out there and my first thoughts were, you got it for decades so – spent the money. On the other side I wasn´t sure If straight razors would be my thing.
Luckily I went for a relatively cheap one. It´s not that I stoped to straight razor shave, but as a beginner you cut the leather so easily. In most tutorials or movies they strp very fast, which makes absolutely no sense esp. if you are not a “master” in it. Just go about 20 times slowly with hardly any pressure over the leather, thats it.
And at the beginning you are a bit nervous or let me say not so focused. So making a false movement with the blade is done so quickly. So my advice is, save the money and buy a nice one after you ruined the first one.
I guess in about a year, I´m ready to buy something more appropriate for my razors. But in ne meantime, this one serves me well.
Meeting the Amtraq Distribution guys:
I had the joy to meet Uwe and Alex from the Amtraq Distibution Team after and at the Outdoor fair 2012 in Friedrichshafen this week. The setup of their stand was without doubt the coolest of the whole fair. The products they represent, the chevy and Uwe and Alex themselves. From the Dehen baseball jackets, the Topo Design backpacks, the Tanner Goods leather stuff and bags or the Swim-ology swim shorts. All brands shown there were carefully selected by their style and quality. I hope they will come down again next year to represent their portfolio.
(If you miss the Tellason denim or the Sportswear reg. stuff, it was an “Outdoor fair” so the focus was more on the other brands.)
Fatboy clothing recognized their t-shirt I´m wearing and reblogged the photo here.
Moonbeam IV yacht details part 2/2:
Here some more details of the amazing Moonbeam IV yacht, just enjoy and thanks a lot to owner, captain and crew of the Moonbeam. More impressions in the first post.
Swedish Army Boots, the 1943 version is back with a rubber sole:
I got the boots back now with a rubber sole, gave them two soaks with “Burgol N – Juchtenfett” and broke them in a bit. First of all the leather color is bleeding a lot and I´m sure the color of the boot will develop great. But my greatest concern is right now to keep the leather from cracking. As you can see from the images only some parts and only on one shoe the leather starts to crack a bit. And I have to admit I pulled the loop maybe a bit to hard (or the leather wasn´t soaked enough) and it ripped a bit. Hmm I guess 1943 was not a year theyprobalby had taken too much care for using the best leather? Anyhow, I will be more careful now. Simon Tuntelder from After the Denim gave me a great advice to use pure Neatsfoot oil / Klauenöl or Klauenfett to treat the dry leather with. It´s not that the leather feels dry but after all this years I guess the boots have earned the best treatment.
See also the boots before they got their rubber sole and the difference with the pair from 1946:
– Swedish army boots, brown from 1943 with the leather sole.
– Swedish army boots, brown from 1946 with the leather sole.
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