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Leathers 101.01 Introduction to Leathers6 viewsGeneral introduction to common pieces of leather comprising leather wear. As the series progresses each piece will be examined, discussed and different aspects talked about.
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Leathers 101.02 Boots6 viewsBoots come in many different styles, different leathers and tanning processes. Boots are one of the first articles of leather most of those interested in leather acquire. Whether purchased, presented, or earned boots symbolize a person's walk and path on the leather journey. Many are interested in leather care and become interested, passionate and enthusiastic about bootblacking. Bootblacking can be a fetish and a lifetime special interest. There are many techniques in bootblacking and polish, shoe grease and processes vary from one region of the country to another but the common denominator is a love of caring for the leather. My own personal style has been a western boot with a No. 3 round toe and a walking heel as opposed to a riding heel. Rather than have many different styles of boot, my interest has been around experiencing many different leathers and skins the boots can and are made out of. My personal preference for boots is for them not to be presented but acquired through purchase as the fitting of a boot is a personal thing and trying them on is essential for a good fit. Not all manufacturers and lasts will result in a good fit even if the two different styles of boots are the same size 10. This type of fit simply cannot be achieved easily when a master, mistress or organization presents a pair of boots to a leather person. Boots in and of themselves can and are a fetish. In a future video I will show and talk about my own personal journey with my boots.
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Leathers 101.03 Boots Different Leathers5 viewsThe collection presented are mostly Nocona cowboy boots with a no. 3 toe and walking heel. The snow boots are oil tanned and the black ostrich boots that are D width are both Justins. The collection represents 16 years of my leather journey. Each year I would save up enough to buy 1 pair. Bull hide, cow hide, elk, elephant, ostrich, stingray, rattlesnake, python and alligator are represented. My favorite boots are the oil tanned cowhide black boots. Many leather enthusiasts collect different styles and types of leather boots. My collection represents the same style but explores many of the different leathers and hide possibilities.
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Leathers 101.04 Pants5 viewsConsiderations when acquiring leather pants. Where was the leather tanned and what tanning process was used. Be cautious of leather tanned in Mexico and Pakistan sometimes a urine tanning process was used. Considerations pockets front and back, or no pockets for a sleeker look. Zipper front closure or snaps or buttons. Crotch seam should be double stitched. Lining or no lining. My personal preference is no pockets, and no lining so I can feel the leather on my skin.
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Leathers 101.05 Shoe Repair and Maintenance3 viewsCreate a shoe kit. Rags, old underwear, old socks, black polish, neutral polish, Hubert's Shoe Grease, black brush, brown brush, suede brush. Clean and polish your boots at least 2 times each year or more often if they are worn frequently. If boots are worn daily, then swap off boots and don't wear them 2 days in a row to give the leather time to air out and dry before the next wearing. Wear your boots and maintain them they will last you many many years. I need a new pair of sneakers every year, I have leather boots that have lasted 16 years and are still going strong. When you consider cost and durability, spending $300 on a pair of leather boots that fit like a kid glove, feel great and are a joy to wear that last 15 years or more compared to $80 Sketchers sneakers that last a year and have to be replaced each year ($80 x 15 = $1200).
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Leathers 101.06 My Leather Pants.Savage Leathers7 viewsOptions with leather pants: zipper closure, snaps, buttons, belt loops or no belt loops, pockets or no pockets. Not mentioned in this video but lined (satin or silk) or not lined. Cuffs or no cuffs. Pants without pockets present a smoother cleaner appearance with no distractions from the leather. But a back pocket on the other hand offers a place for a pocket paddle or implementation of the hanky code. Of course the creative leather person can tuck a hanky under the belt on the appropriate side when there is no back pocket. Made by Rick Savage at Savage Leathers.
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Leathers 101.07 Vests8 viewsLeather vests can be earned or presented by leather organizations whether a family, house, pack, tribe or otherleatherorg. If they are earned/presented, my 2 cents is given the individual has demonstrated leather principles (honor, integrity, trust, respect, loyalty) the vest should be presented at about the 1 year point. Logic says that's enough time for someone beginning their leather journey to demonstrate their leather heart and the giving of leather should be from a leather heart. It should not be a political jump through artificial hoops. Often someone beginning their leather journey will plan on attending a leather event and by the 1 year point will have a run pin or more, possibly affiliation patches and they need a logical place to put them and wear them with pride. The Vest. However, often someone interested in leather is not in a part of the country where there is an active leather organization and sometimes said leather organizations do not present leathers or participate in the aspect of earning leathers. So the person who loves leather and all things leather simply go buy a freaking vest and put your run pins on it, display them with pride. There is nothing wrong with loving leather, acquiring leather and wearing it with pride.
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Leathers 101.08 Muir Cover9 viewsOften called the Muir Cap in the gay leather community, most often referred to as the Muir Cover in the pansexual leather community is the icon that identifies a recognized Master within the community. In some leather circles S types wear this style of cover but unembellished. More often S types are presented and wear a leather ballcap style cover. In my opinion this cover should be one of the pieces of leather never purchased but always presented by a leather family, house, pack, tribe, club or other leather organization. It symbolizes not only knowledge within the lifestyle and community involvement, but represents the leather principles of honor, integrity, trust, respect, and loyalty. Traditions vary regarding the Muir cover. It should be passed from person to person by holding the sides of the hat band, taking care to never touch the brim. Brim should remain free from fingerprints and the cover should be donned in such a way as to not touch the brim when putting on or taking off. There are several companies making this style of leather cover, but the Muir Cap & Regalia, LTD., 270 Esna Park Dr Unit 12, Markham, ON L3R 1H3, Canada (phone: +1 289-459-0495) is the authentic cover to my knowledge.
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Leathers 101.09 Leather Floggers8 viewsIt took 23 years to make this video as that is how long I've been collecting floggers. Most of the floggers featured in this video were made by Happy Tails when Stan Sherman and Lezlie Ceran were the owners/artisans. Stan cut the tails, and balanced the handles, Lezlie plaited the handles and probably has plaited a gazillion Turk's Heads and Pineapple knots. One of the characteristics of their superb floggers is that all of the handles and patterns are plaited using kangaroo lacing regardless of the leather the tails are made out of. At the time I began exploring floggers, IMHO, only Janette Heartwood was making a comparable flogger. So from light doeskin to heavy bullhide this collection runs the gammit of leather and exotics.
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Leathers 101.10 Leather Floggers Balance6 viewsAny well made flogger regardless of the tail materials should be balanced. The heel of the flogger is counterbalanced against the tails and the balance point usually falls directly behind the transition knot (pineapple knot). Even mops and supermops can be balanced and should be unless your goal is to wear your arm out and make your dungeon experience work and it should always be fun and enjoyable for both the Top and bottom.
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Leathers 101.11 Beginning the Leather Journey Flogger Recommendation9 viewsThis introductory video summarizes different leather flogger choices and then recommends 3 general types of leather floggers for someone beginning their leather journey.
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Leathers 101.11a Sensual Floggers6 viewsAn addition to the 3 floggers previously recommended (light, medium, heavy weight) is a sensual flogger to provide sensations and contrast between the leather floggers and this entry into your toybag. A rabbit fur flogger is my first choice for this category. Watch and see what a Flemish Giant rabbit fur flogger looks like. Beyond rabbit, a boa flogger, or string flogger, or one made from a curly hair braid from a beauty supply house will serve well to provide these types of sensations.
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