The process begins by cutting a strip of Hermann Oak tooling leather. Using a template, the keyring shapes are carefully drawn with a pen and cut out with special scissors for cutting leather. The stitch line is marked with wing dividers, and tape is applied to the back to prevent stretching, ensuring the leather is properly prepared for the next steps.

After wetting the leather to make it more pliable, the design is drawn onto the leather with a stylus using a template that I designed. A swivel knife is then used to carve the design into the leather, laying the foundation for detailed tooling work.

Once the design is carved, specialised tools such as a beveler and thumbprint, among my favourites, are used to create the intricate patterns. These tools are tapped repeatedly with a maul (hammer), while slowly moving the tool over the leather which imprints the design and adds depth and texture. After tooling, the keyring is left to dry, revealing a rich, detailed pattern.