Leather Chess Boards -Kimbo Limbo Update

Good afternoon amazing chess players! I was not producing during the beginning of 2022 because I had to endure more chemo infusions.  I'm doing well, now, and have found an incredible lot of leather.  I purchased as much as I could afford and I'm able to make 40ish boards with this fantastic leather.  Everything right now is 10% off.  

I've created a video on the hand-made process in creating these boards.  

I think Shelby is doing an incredible job creating leather boards, as well, so check out American Chess for his creations and Kimbo Limbo Boutique (new website will be launched in a few weeks: kimbolimbochess.shop) at Etsy:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/KimboLimboBoutique?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

I hope you are all well and killing it in your games! 

https://youtu.be/G4iQtdfh8fk

Glad to hear you're doing well (most importantly) and continuing to produce these boards (also importantly but not as much)! I have a question...the second photo on your etsy site appears pretty shiny with gold lining. Is that just bad lighting and an unfortunate angle?

This looks a lot different from the first and second photos:

The two things keeping me from using Shelby's board more are 1) that the leather is shiny/smooth to the point where it almost seems like plastic/vinyl and 2) that the smell is still pretty strong. Your first and third images look like nicely grained leather but the second photo scares me a bit. How is the smell? Finally, how does the board roll up? Shelby's rolls up *really nicely* but your photos make me think your boards might be a bit too thick to roll up. Thoughts?

For comparison, here's a shot of my (annotations chopped) leather board.

By the way, that video is intense!!! O_O

Lotsoblots, those are excellent questions and concerns.  I took a few videos of the leather that I use...I am not partial to the thicker leather.  It does not respond well and like a new baseball glove takes lots of kneading to 'relax'.  The sheen definitely comes from the sealant and conditioner that I use.  It seems like the conditioner absorbs into the board and the sheen is less so, however I have a matte sealant that one person requested specifically.  

https://youtube.com/shorts/1i4wdmngTWQ?feature=share

I forgot to answer all of your questions:  The smell.  I'm partial to leather smell but the boards have a wonderful leather smell.  The acrylic dye does not have a smell, thank goodness.  I started making these boards because my son, who is on the spectrum, cannot handle the vinyl board smell.  This sounds silly but I love walking into my shop, everyday, and getting the first whiff of the leather.  

Oh, lastly (forgive all the posts) my dad says I am 'manufacturing' boards and I always correct him.  I am not a manufacturer...I am an artist.  I hand-paint each board.  They are not perfect and cannot come close to screen printing (that Shelby does).  The lines I paint sectioning each square helps make the board more pristine and clean.  I do not use tape or any other 'perfection' instrument because I want my boards to have that organic feel.  I completely understand that isn't appealing to some.  But that being said, I still want every single person to be thrilled with their board.  100%.  

@Kimbo77

Glad to hear you're doing well!

Is the board featured in your Post#5 video from the new/current batch of leather you recently purchased? Has anyone ever requested a Red and Black board? If yes, do you have a photo of it to share? 

Thanks for the video! The brief instant at the beginning showed it rolled up nicely so I think my fears are put to rest there...it should fit rolled up in the chess bag quite easily. Regarding the matte sealant, is that the one used in this photo?

I really like the look of this one (both color and the black lining (instead of the gold). Thanks!!

@Pawnerai - So far, my current pictures are of boards I've mailed and shipped.  Let me see if I can get some pictures of my current leather.  I have seven boards going to Australia with a specific color theme requested and I have one picture of that leather...it's sooooo good.  

@lotsoblots If I am remembering correctly the matte sealant I've only used once.  I'd have to reach out to folks that have purchased my board to see if the sealant, once absorbed, gives more of a matte (not glaring and shiny) result.  

@Pawnerai Yes, I have made two red and black boards and two silver and white boards with a red border.  I customize anything.  Love creating unique color combinations!  Please forgive the writing, this was a photo shoot I did at a local coffee shop and created a facebook add.

My favorite thing is to see the owner's pieces on the board I made.  Now I'm going to go back and research the sheen a little more carefully.  :-D  I'm always trying to make these boards better for the recipient!  Always.  I am trying to find the two red and black boards I've made, they're quite different...one is very dark (more like freddie kruger red and black) and the other is quite vibrant.  A much brighter red.  

It's been nearly a year since our last discussion in this thread but I finally took the plunge into one of @Kimbo77's boards. It arrived yesterday and I cannot be more pleased with it. It's a thick-yet-supple leather that rolls up nicely, spreads out flat, and ships perfectly in a strong cardboard cylinder.

I love the texture and color and I am glad I made the decision to give it a shot. I suspect this will become one of my most carried/played boards.

PS: To confirm, it does smell great, too.