Hi Geekhack Community!
I recently decided to combine a few interests to fulfill a personal need and, after a fair bit of interest from members of the mechanical keyboard enthusiast community, I was convinced to offer my services as a leather and wood craftsman.
DesignAfter not being satisfied with many commercially available wrist rests, I decided to take things upon myself and create a simple and functional piece to make lengthy sessions at a desk more enjoyable without sacrificing aesthetics. By using beautifully grained domestic and exotic hardwoods and coupling them with high quality leathers from reputable French, Italian and American tanneries, I was able to create a functional item that is visually appealing and a pleasure to interface with.
ManufactureBeing a small shop without large machinery or CNC capabilities, I set out to design an item that I could produce in-house to keep cost to a minimum while elevating the appearance of the final product to be higher than a typical weekend DIY project.
Wood and leather elements are created by myself so there is a great deal of customization to allow for each custom piece to be as unique as the user. Typical pricing is expected to be $60-80.
SpecificationsDimensions4 inch (10cm) deep with a 5 degree angle. Widths will vary from 60% up to Full Size. (Pricing will vary slightly to account for extra materials associated with larger rests.)
WoodWalnut and Curly Maple - High quality Rubio Monocoat will provide a durable matte finish that can be taken to a satin level if so desired.
LeatherItalian Badalassi Carlo Pueblo Black, Brown and Natural - This high quality Italian vegetable tanned leather has a distinct texture to the finished side that gives it a unique rustic look and feel that patinas nicely with use.
Italian Conceria Walpier Buttero Black, Brown and Natural - This high quality Italian vegetable tanned leather has a smooth surface on the finished side that gives it a highly refined look and feel that patinas nicely with use.
Leather is secured to wood using high quality Japanese glue to prevent the chemical smell associated with other cements. (Durability testing is ongoing. Separation does not appear to be a concern particularly due to the static nature of the interface.)
To allow for a finely tuned height, leather feet will be available. (These are currently in the development phase and will be made available to order as a neutral height or as a riser for higher profile cases.)
PersonalizationFine decorative hand stitching will be offered to make each piece reflect the user's personality and desired aesthetic using high quality Fil au Chinois French Linen Cable thread. (The option of stitching directly to the wood is being explored though may require a heavier thread for the sake of proportionality)
Each rest will be numbered with a brass plate affixed to the rest at no charge corresponding to the order in which each request is received.
Exotic wood and leather color requests are welcome! I will do my best to source materials responsibly to keep pricing reasonable while making sure ethical forestry practices are adhered to.
