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Nigel Armitage

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Nigel Armitage (Born 1965) is a Staffordshire-based Bespoke maker of heritage quality Leather Goods. He is an Author, Teacher and Tool Designer.

Prior to his career in leather, he started out as an electrician in the 80’s.

It was around this time that Nigel discovered and found a passion for leatherwork. A discovery that would ultimately lead him to change careers, a career now lasting over 35 years.

Seeking guidance and knowledge on this subject, Nigel was directed to Walsall where he began training in what would become his new career.

Over the next 25 years, Nigel worked as an independent freelance leatherworker for various companies and organisations throughout the UK.

In 2010 Nigel created Armitage Leather, bringing together Nigel’s experience in the industry under one umbrella where he began to teach,

Techniques

Since Nigel began teaching, he spends much of his time developing and adjusting techniques for the more modern tools that have begun to appear in the past 10 years.

In the last 10 years, has worked closely with new tool companies, KS Blade and Crimson Hides to develop his modern style of stitching to suit the new irons available today. This is a style of stitching that relies less on the Stitching Awl.

Nigel is responsible for developing his pre-pricking technique of Saddle Stitch used by many leatherworkers today and taught in his workshop

Consultation

Since 2012, Nigel has worked as a consultant with a number of tool companies to modernise existing tools and develop new and demonstrate the use of others, bridging the gap between the traditional and modern, these companies include:

George Barnsley and SonsEngland

Just WoodEngland

CS Osborne & CoAmerica

Seiwa - Japan

Crimson HidesSingapore

KS Blade - Korea

Palosanto FactoryKorea

Tools

Nigel is responsible for designing and developing a number of new tools currently in use by leatherworkers globally.  

To date, the list of tools Nigel is responsible for includes:

The Pulling Block produced by Just Wood

The Edge Specific Hand Slicker produced by Just Wood

The Edge Specific Machine Burnisher produced by Just Wood

The Leather Workers Trammel Bar produced by George Barnsley and Sons

The Clam Key produced by George Barnsley and Sons

The Round Strop produced by George Barnsley and Sons

The 4C Utility Knife produced by George Barnsley and Sons

The George Barnsley Leatherwork Knives produced by George Barnsley and Sons

The Box Stitching jig Produced in house

The Mitring Jig Produced in house

The Pre-pricking Box Stitch Jig Produced in house

Books

Nigel is the author of two books currently, one of which has been published in four languages.

Leathercraft: Traditional Handcrafted Leatherwork Skills and Projects – 2020

Publisher: Schiffer Publishing Ltd (US)

ISBN: 978-0764360398[1]

Language: English

Artisanat Du Cuir: 12 projets cousus à la main – 2022

Publisher: VIGOT

ISBN: 978-2711426508[2]

Language: French

Guía completa del cuero: 12 proyectos artesanales paso a paso[3] - 2022

Publisher: Editorial El Drac, S.L.

ISBN: 978-8498747270

Language: Spanish

Lederkunst: Materialien, Techniken, Werkzeuge: Fachwissen Schritt für Schritt [4]- 2023

Publisher: Frech

ISBN: 978-3735851130

Language: German

A Guide to Making Leather Belts with 12 Complete Projects - 2022

Publisher: Schiffer Publishing Ltd (US)

ISBN: 978-0764364273[5]

Language: English

Television Appearance

January 2024, Nigel appeared on the BBC TV Program, David and Jay's Touring Toolshed Episode 9 delivering a Masterclass to Sir David Jason and Jay Blades on the topic of Box Stitching.

Further Publications and Media:

In addition to the books, Nigel has been published in several trade magazines, Leather Crafters Journal and Waxing the Thread.

Nigel has also appeared as the main guest on a member of Podcasts: Lost Trade Abbey England Podcraft and Cultural Q

Teaching

Nigel can now be found teaching face to face courses in his purpose built workshop at Armitage Leather Ltd in Staffordshire.

In addition to this, Nigel also owns and runs Secrets from the Workshop which is an online instruction channel developed to maintain and promote heritage skills and techniques of the craft.

Lecturing

Nigel has given talks and lecturs on a number of occasions in both the US and the UK, recently at the Institute for Creative Leather Technologies (ICLT) University of Northampton and the Walsall Leather Skills Centre.

Associations.

Heritage Crafts

Guild of Master Craftsmen[6]

Personal life

Nigel is large, left handed and lives in Staffordshire, he has one daughter, Stevie.

External Links

www.armitageleather.com

www.secretsfromtheworkshop.com

IMDb

  1. ^ Armitage, Nigel (2020). Leathercraft: Traditional Handcrafted Leatherwork Skills and Projects. Schiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-0764360398.
  2. ^ Armitage, Nigel (2022). Artisanat Du Cuir: 12 projets cousus à la main (in French). France: VIGOT. ISBN 978-2711426508.
  3. ^ Armitage, Nigel (2022). Guía completa del cuero: 12 proyectos artesanales paso a paso (in Spanish). Spain: Editorial El Drac, S.L. ISBN 978-8498747270.
  4. ^ Armitage, Nigel (2023). Lederkunst: Materialien, Techniken, Werkzeuge: Fachwissen Schritt für Schritt (in German). Germany: Frech. ISBN 978-3735851130.
  5. ^ Armitage, Nigel (2022). Belts: A Guide to Making Leather Belts with 12 Complete Projects. US: Schiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-0764364273.
  6. ^ "Guild of Master Craftsmen".