The Lochgelly Tawse / School Belt
The Lochgelly Tawse is currently made by Margaret Dick at the John Dick Leather Goods workshop just outside Lochgelly and has been created by members of the family spanning three generations. Today, Margaret Dick is the third generation in her family to make the Tawse and follows in the footsteps of her Father John. J.Dick and Grandfather George.W. Dick but ‘The Lochgelly Tawse’ goes right back to the late 1800’s and starts with my Grandfather’s Master Saddler Robert Philp. Read more about the History…
How The Tawse Was Traditionally Made:
Follow the steps of how the Tawse was traditionally made.
Step 1: Gather The Materials
It all starts with a buffalo butt!
Step 2: Squaring of the Leather
Getting the leather, to the size we need.
Step 3: Cutting a Strip on the ranger
The ranger helps make a straight and clean cut
Step 4: Lining the leather up to the template
This template has been in use since the 50s
Step 5: Marking the leather
Using a draw point to mark the edges for cutting
Step 6: Cutting with the half moon knife
The moon shaped knife is my weapon of choice
Step 7: Seperating the tails and punching a hole
It is not the tawse if it doesnt have tails
Step 8: Using the edging tool to remove sharp edges
Can’t have the children bleeding on their jotters
Step 9: Staining the leather
Helps preseve the leather and keeps it smooth
Step 10: Polishing the leather with brown paper
Nearly done
Step 11: Creasing a traditional tool line
Even impliments of torture need to be beautiful
Step 12: Apply the makers stamp
We have stamps dating back to the late 1800s
Step 13: And we’re done
Another complete tawse to add to the pile
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