About
Welcome
I've always been facinated with traditional craftsmanship, where individuals spend a lifetime honing their skills and techniques and take pride in their work. My personal goal is to learn as much as possible and refine my craft in traditional hand stitched English and French style luxury leather goods.
Unfortunately the majority of goods produced today are more about minimizing costs and increasing production, often leading to short lifespans and disposable products. Bone and Blade was created to bridge the gap between the two ends of the spectrum, to produce high quality leather goods at an attainable price. Sure I could use a sewing machine, or less expensive leather, or chose not to finish the edges, or countless other things that would save time or money, but that isn't what this is about. I choose leathers for their quality from tanneries that have proven environmental standards. I stitch each piece by hand, one stitch at a time because it is the strongest possible stitch and can not come undone. Edges are finished, not just because they look nice, but to ensure they are sealed and the leather protected.
Sure, my stuff costs a little more initially but you won't have to replace it anytime soon, it gets better with age, and you can be assured that each piece is crafted with the love it deserves.
Thanks
Richard
Saddle Stitching
I'm often asked why I hand stitch everything, and the answer is that I believe it is the best way to join two, or more, pieces of leather together. Sure, I could speed up my production, lower my costs, and make my life significantly easier if I just got a sewing machine, but I feel i'd be doing both myself and you a disservice. I've been let down by machine stitching too many times, now I'm not saying all machine stitching is bad or doesn't have it's place there are millions if not billions of things sewn together with machines that last a very long time, so I chose the saddle stitch not only for it's strength but also it's beauty. A properly executed saddle stitch is a thing of beauty, decorative angles on both sides, and traditionally has a whole lot going on inside the stitch its self. I won't go into all the details, it can be a rabbit hole trust me, but if you really want to know shoot me an email and I'll pass on the nerdy stuff.
At it's most basic level it is a piece of thread with a needle at each end that weaves its way though a series of holes crossing back and forth, essentially doing figure eights the length of the edge. Should a stitch break the thread on the opposite side continues to keep the piece together. In comparison the lock-stitch, done my machine, has two parallel threads that are looped within the stitch hole. Should one thread break the threads on both sides become loose and the product becomes weak or comes apart.
Image sourced from Barrett Alley