Briefcases are made using special tools and a craftsman's skilled hands.
Briefcases are a staple in the business world. Businesspeople carry briefcases to transport documents, laptops, business cards, pens, calculators and just about anything else they may need throughout their day. Making a briefcase requires attention to detail, specific equipment and skill as a craftsman.
Cutting
A cutter chooses a piece of leather with the least amount of blemishes, which occur naturally on leather. A cutter lays out a pattern for the various parts of the soon-to-be-made briefcase. He then trims around the patterns. Foundation boards are then cut by a punch press. These boards will reinforce the leather.
Marking
A professional leather craftsman then takes over the rest of the way. The foundation boards are positioned on the leather. A dull-edged tool called a bone folder creates creases in materials, and the craftsman uses this to mark where to fold the leather over the boards.
Gluing and Pressing
Leather bonding glue is then spread along the boards, which are then matched up with the marked fold lines. By applying pressure on top the boards with a tool called a sleeker, the craftsman is able to get rid of air bubbles and excess glue in between the board and leather. To ensure proper stitching, the edges are perforated using another tool, this one called a stitch marker.
Completion
A steel frame is then attached to the foundation board and leather. Using two saddle-stitching needles, the craftsman sews the leather together by passing the thread through the perforated holes. The handle can be made from finishing leather and steel and is attached to the briefcase, usually with bolts and washers. Locks are also added to the briefcase. The lid pocket assembly is glued in next. Finally, the bottom of the briefcase can be lined with sheepskin leather with a semi-gloss glaze coating to make for easy cleaning.
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