dsfdGrant Anderson runs Uptown Common, a small handmade shop known for structured purses, briefcases, and bags with a distinctive double-color stitch line. This spring he launched a second venture, The Leather Reserve, importing MPG Industria hides from Italy after a discontinued leather nearly cost him a sale. Matt and Grant get into the making and the business in equal measure.

Highlights:

The used King Ranch F-150 whose saddle-leather interior sent Grant looking for a bag — and eventually into making his own.

Why he wet-forms nearly everything, and how he builds gusset forms out of stacked acrylic (with a belt-strap molding idea to kill clamp marks).

The two-color saddle stitch: four needles, two threads, and a "leapfrog" rhythm that skips every other hole.

Switching from waxed linen to Tiger/Ritza polyester after breaking thread mid-stitch.

The Barry King maul, and why a $90 hammer changed how the work felt.

How one discontinued hide turned into a corporation and a wire transfer to Italy in about three weeks.

Why a 50 sq-meter tannery minimum (~35 hides per color) keeps makers from buying direct.

The MPG lines coming in: Apollo, Aragona (corrected grain), and Vakeda (tumbled), plus a custom deep-red veg tan.

Episode Breakdown:

0:00 – Welcome and guest intro

1:02 – How Grant got into leather

2:09 – The King Ranch truck that started it

3:20 – Why leather longevity (and care) matters

4:26 – Hobby to business: Uptown Common

6:01 – Why most makers avoid bags

8:59 – Wet-forming for structured bags

12:15 – Acrylic forms, molds, and the strap trick

19:10 – Tools that matter: the Barry King maul

20:50 – Hand stitching vs. machine

24:22 – The jig rabbit hole

27:09 – The two-color saddle stitch

29:47 – How the four-needle "leapfrog" stitch works

36:19 – Stitching ponies and their frustrations

42:54 – The Leather Reserve origin story

47:17 – Why makers can't buy direct (minimums and shipping)

49:46 – What makes MPG leather different

55:12 – The Apollo, Aragona, and Vacchetta lines

1:02:00 – Five-year plans for both brands

1:08:18 – Leather weight and the splitting-machine question

1:13:03 – Listener questions and where to find Grant

💬 Join the Leather Shop Discord

Support us on Patreon

🧰 Check the Amazon Tool List

👉 Follow on Instagram: @leathershoppod
👉 More episodes: leathershoppod.com
👉 All links & resources: Linktree

Guest: Alexis Saab
Sponsor: None
Primary Topic: Building a small leather goods brand from a custom footwear background
CTA: Listen to the full conversation on The Leather Shop Podcast at leathershoppod.com, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen. Follow @leathershoppod for new episodes and clips.

Discussed in this episode

Alexis’s move from custom sneakers into small leather goods

The early direction for his new brand, Back Home

Designing a logo that works when stamped into leather

Why detailed artwork can fail when pressed into certain leather types

The skull-and-halo concept behind the Back Home mark

Learning leather through footwear, scrap leather, and experimentation

Chrome tan versus veg tan from a maker’s point of view

Why shoe patterns are harder than wallet patterns

Sneakers, boots, and dress shoes as different craft disciplines

Rush-order stress and the cost of mistakes in custom footwear

Heat-activated glue and sole attachment

Post-bed machines, roller feet, and stitching around curves

Bell skivers, machine maintenance, and workshop space

Leather community versus shoemaking community

Selling through design instead of only selling material

Alexis’s long-term goal of creating his own shoe silhouette

Mike from BulSae Leather joins Matt in this deep‑dive into Korea’s vibrant leathercraft culture. Starting with a single wallet and fueled by a passion to “make things that last longer than our lifetime,” Mike has built BulSae Leather into a small but mighty workshop known for its clean design, uncompromising hand‑work, and thoughtful storytelling. In this episode you’ll hear how a childhood fascination turned into a full‑time craft, why the name BulSae—Korean for “phoenix”—represents both heritage and reinvention, and how Mike balances tradition with modern tools in a world where “handmade” is often gate‑kept.

💬 Join the Leather Shop Discord
🧰 Check the Amazon Tool List

👉 Follow on Instagram: @leathershoppod
👉 More episodes: leathershoppod.com
👉 All links & resources: Linktree

Support us on Patreon

IMatt sits down with Shane from Bow the Maker to talk about the tools every leatherworker thinks they need — and the ones that actually matter.

From $12 Amazon pliers to top-shelf skiving knives, they break down which tools perform, which ones disappoint, and how to buy smarter without wasting money. The two also tackle social media “tool envy,” influencer reviews, and how to build a functional bench setup at any level.

“You don’t need the prettiest tools — you need the ones that work for you.”

💬 Join the Leather Shop Discord
🧰 Check the Amazon Tool List

👉 Follow on Instagram: @leathershoppod
👉 More episodes: leathershoppod.com
👉 All links & resources: Linktree

Support us on Patreon

In this episode, Matt talks with Will Hodges of Treve Cambridge about the art of fine leatherwork. They explore the tools and techniques behind luxury craftsmanship, from handling exotic skins to achieving precision with stitching and skiving.

👉 Follow on Instagram: @leathershoppod
👉 More episodes: leathershoppod.com
👉 Recommended tools: Amazon Shop

👉 All links & resources: Linktree

Support us on Patreon

Inside Mack Provisions: Craftsmanship Beyond the Field

In this episode of The Leather Shop, Matt Roach is joined by KC of Mack Provisions, a handmade baseball glove company rooted in old-school leatherworking and modern craftsmanship. From glove relacing as a teenager to launching a full-time custom glove brand, KC shares his journey, philosophy, and what makes his gloves truly unique.

Whether you're a leatherworker, player, or lover of timeless design, this is your behind-the-scenes pass into glove-making at its finest.

🔍 Episode Highlights

Why Chrome-Tanned Leather Reigns Supreme

How KC Learned Craftsmanship in an Alaskan Tent Shop

The Horween Leather Advantage

Canvas vs. Leather: What You Need to Know

The Great Glove Break-In Debate

Tools of the Trade: Cylinder Arm Machines, Tex 135 Thread, and More

Why Suede Welting is Making a Comeback

About KC & Mack Provisions

KC started relacing gloves for teammates at age 13. After stints in Alaska sewing canvas tents and marine gear, he transitioned into building premium handmade baseball gloves using materials like Horween’s Ball Glove X leather, real shearling padding, and custom welting techniques.

His approach blends nostalgia with durability, favoring rugged, vintage aesthetics and minimal synthetic components. Each glove is made to order, emphasizing craftsmanship over mass production.

📷 Follow KC on Instagram: @mackprovisions

Craft Tips from the Episode

The Truth About Glove Construction

“Sewing a baseball glove is the hardest thing I’ve ever sewn—and I’ve worked on yachts, tents, and boat canvas.” – KC

Why Thread and Machine Choice Matter

Use UV-rated nylon thread like Tex 135, and invest in a cylinder arm machine for maximum control.

Break-in Methods

Skip the water dunk. Use a mallet and play catch for best results—especially when using wool padding.

Related Episodes

🎙️ How Scott Makes Gloves: The Deep Craft of Baseball Leather

Follow & Subscribe

Stay up to date with new episodes, behind-the-scenes posts, and leather drops:

🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📷 Follow us on Instagram & TikTok

🌐 Visit leathershoppod.com for more

📌 Know someone obsessed with baseball or handmade goods? Share this episode!

Support us on Patreon

Guest: Stevie, founder of Hellbound and Back Leather
Host: Matt Roach | @leathershoppod

What We Cover:

How Stevie pivoted from trauma healthcare to custom leatherwork

Designing niche gear for trap shooting and shotgun sports

What it's like being a left-handed maker in a right-handed world

Tools, templates, wet molding, and avoiding edge paint at all costs

Mom life, creative hustle, and pricing one-off commissions

Mentions:

Trap shooting tips and terminology

Bonded stiffeners like Bontex

Edge paint favorites: Giardini vs. Vernice

Listen if you love: leatherworking, craft entrepreneurship, gear for sports, or behind-the-scenes process talk from makers who live it.

🎯 Rate + review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help more leather lovers find the show.

Connect with Us:

Website: leathershoppod.com

Instagram & TikTok: @leathershoppod

Support us on Patreon

In Part 2 of our maker Q&A, Shane Bowman (Bow the Maker) is back with Matt to tackle more of your leathercraft questions. This episode is all about tools, technique, and getting real about the ups and downs of making. Whether you're a beginner wondering how to design your first pattern or an experienced maker debating hand stitching vs. machine work, there's something here for you.

What We Cover in This Episode:

Why Vinymo is Shane's go-to thread—and what other budget-friendly options are out there

The truth about thread sizing, sheen, and durability

Pattern-making 101: the analog method Shane recommends for beginners

The best ways to work through a creative block

Tools that are truly worth your money (parallel pliers, anyone?)

A real talk breakdown on hand-stitching vs. machine-stitching

Why community support is essential—and where to find it

Free Digital 3D Printing Jig Pattern

Want to try fixing your Sinabroks French Style Pricking Irons? Now you can, below are multiple ways for you get get a jig to print yourself or buy one that can be made and mailed to you.

Purchase premade from Leather Shop Website

Makers World Download- (For Bambu Labs Printers.)

Download the file from Printables

Digital File from Leather Shop Website

Connect with Us:

Website: leathershoppod.com

Instagram & TikTok: @leathershoppod

Support us on Patreon

🛠️ Hosted by Matt Roach | Guest: Shane Bowman (@bowthemaker) Website