Rather than make my previous post too long, I reserved a few comments:
I am well known for my love of traditional techniques and where it not only demonstrably yields superior results, but the materials are available at something less than a prohibitive price, I tend to prefer and use traditional techniques above more modern techniques.
Some even regard my attitude as
too "backward" or unrealistic.
But if we are going to eschew techniques or materials which yield good, even great, results simply because they are "modern" or post Industrial Revolution...or even because they are not part of the shoemaker's traditional kit...then the first thing that should go out the window is the sewing machine.
These is no significant difference between using a Pfaff 491 post machine to close and using a Landis K to outseam. Neither has the moral high ground and neither produce results that are mechanically (or even aesthetically) superior to hand work.
By that standard, the only tools appropriate for a real life, sure enough, cordwainer are:
My freinds, I pray you list to me,
And marke what S. Hughes bones shall be.
First a Drawer, and a Dresser
two Wedges, a more and a lesser:
A pretty blocke three inches high,
in fashion sqared like a Die,
Which shall be called by proper name,
A Heel blocke, the very same.
A Hand-leather and a thumb-leather like wise
to pull out shoo-threed we must despise;
The Needle and the thimble
shall not be left alone
the Pincers and the pricking Awle
and the rubbing stone.
The Awle steele and the Tackes,
the Sow-haires beside,
The Stirrop holding fast,
while we sowe the cow-hide.
The whetstone, the stopping sticke,
and the paring knife
All this doth belong
to a Journeymans life
Our Apron is the Shrine,
to wrap these bones in:
Thus shrowd we Saint Hugh,
in gentle lambes skinne...
That list, known as Saint Hugh's Bones, was the traditional shoemaker's full kit of tools...
Tight Stitches
DWFII--HCC Member
(Message edited by admin on June 06, 2009)