Redesign: Standard Card Holder
Always a favorite, the SCH needed a freshening up. Simplified it a bit, and adjusted measurements so it holds just as much (if not more), and slimmed it down but cutting 2 layers of leather. Coming with the rest of the new stuff in a week or two
Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 03:48PM | Share Article 
Belt Process, Pt. 1
One of the most important things in running Corter alone is streamlining things to consistently produce a quality product. In the last 4 years, my belt making process has been refined over and over again. I'm constantly humbled at the number of belts I make from month to month grows into the hundreds, but not willing to outsource the work just yet. Every belt is made 100% by hand, by me. Here's a peak at the process, about 3 years overdue.
The belt hides are exclusively sourced for me by a local leather supplier. At one point this leather was very common-mostly used for straps on shipping containers- but now is nearly impossible to find in the quantity we need. The leather at this thickness is supposed to average 14-15oz, though sometimes can get as thick as 18-19oz, and each hide weighs close to 20lbs. The first step once shipments come in is to sort the hides and make sure the thickness and quality is even and not too thick. The thicker hides get sent back. Each hide, or side, is one side of an animal or about 24sq. ft. of leather. These 4 are perfect.
I then take a look at each hide individually and cut out any inconsistencies on the ends of the hide. The shoulder section can get very dense to the point you can barely get a knife through it- these portions are usually used for floor tiles, leather armor, and shoe soles (the cut is called a sole bend). Once that's done, a strait edge is put on one side of the hide, and the cutting begins.
The belt strips are then cut one-by-one. The tool I use is called a draw gauge. While this is usually a two person job as one person cuts and the other holds the hide steady, a simple clamp setup I made lets me do it alone pretty easily. This draw gauge is the least expensive piece of equipment that I own, and has cut thousands of belts with ease (and fresh blades daily!). Simple, time tested hand tools don't really need much servicing, and it allows me to make every belt with no electricity, which is kind of nice. Also, remember to flip the hide every 3-4 cuts to make sure your line stays straight!
more coming soon!
Monday, November 7, 2011 at 01:06PM | Share Article 