aj-brummel

AJ Brummel: Leatherworking

Glenn:
What drew you to leatherworking?

AJ:
I’m not sure there was one specific thing that drew me to it, but I always watched Western movies growing up. Jeremiah Johnson is one of my all-time favorites. I thought, since I grew up hunting and fishing and doing all this traditional stuff, it would be nice to make my own gear. I wanted to learn how they did it historically—not just for the leatherwork itself, but to understand how mountain men, pioneers, and cowboys lived.

Glenn:
Can you walk me through how you select leather for a project?

AJ:
It really depends on the size of the project. I think it’s best to go in person to look at the leather. You want to feel it and check for any cuts, brand marks, or inconsistencies. You can get a sense of that online, but it’s always better to inspect it firsthand before buying.

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Glenn:
What about these leather pieces with the cardinals?

AJ:
Those are earrings. A guy I used to work with asked me to make a pair for his wife since her favorite bird is a cardinal. He said, “She loves handmade stuff! Could you make her some earrings?” I replied, “Absolutely!” They were a Valentine’s Day gift for her.

Glenn:
Is there a particular type of leather you prefer to work with?

AJ
I’ve used deer hide for making dice bags and a few other things.

Glenn:
Do you make the leather from deer, or do you source it from somewhere?

AJ:
No, I buy the leather. Skinning and tanning are a whole other thing! I did a little taxidermy as a kid and learned how much skill and investment it takes to be good at it.

Glenn:
Are there any essential tools that you use?

AJ:
I upgraded the wooden mallet my uncle gave me to a weighted mallet with some type of nylon material that I use for shading, which gives a more consistent result. I also use different stamps and a swivel knife for cutting curves. The swivel knife turns as you cut around curves, allowing you to create nice swoops and shapes.

Glenn:
Is there a technique that you found difficult at first but have improved on over time?

AJ:
Oh, definitely! After you carve a design, you bevel one edge to give it a more three-dimensional look. Keeping that smooth and consistent so it doesn’t look “chattery” was tough for me. You have to move steadily, tapping and moving all at once to keep it smooth. That was really challenging, and I still struggle with it sometimes.

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Glenn:
Do you have any cool stories about a meaningful project you’ve done for someone?

AJ:
Absolutely! I made a rifle sling with “Brummel” on it as a thank-you gift for my uncle. He kind of knew it was coming since we had talked about it. I told him, “If you ever want something handmade, let me know.” So, I made that rifle sling for him, and he’s going to pass it down to my younger cousin, his grandson, as a family heirloom. That was definitely one of the most special projects for me.

Glenn:
Are there any projects you’ve been wanting to do but haven’t yet?

AJ:
Yes! A couple of years ago, the same year my uncle gave me my leather tools, I bought an 1851 Navy revolver—an old black powder revolver. I want to make an old-style Western holster for it. Growing up, I watched John Wayne and Clint Eastwood movies with my dad, and I want to create something that looks authentically Western, not just a regular holster you can buy in stores today. I’m putting a lot of thought into it and still trying to design how I want to make it.

AJ Brummel

Location: Dowling, MI
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