Diamond Jim Taylor-Davis

For more than four decades, Diamond Jim Taylor-Davis has devoted his life to craftsmanship, research, and storytelling. If craftsmanship tells a story, then every cut, every stitch, and every finished piece carries with it the experience, passion, and dedication of the person who created it. For Jim, leather-working is more than making products. It's about creating heirlooms that reflect history and an enduring value of handcrafted work.

Jim's anything but ordinary journey began in Utah long before he ever opened his leather shop. As a professional magician and entertainer, he learned that every great performance starts with understanding your audience. Years spent captivating audiences taught him timing, attention to detail, importance of authenticity and the power of connecting a well-told story. These skills naturally evolved into a passion for historical interpretation and living history and became the foundation of his leather-craft.

As his love for history grew, so did his desire to preserve traditional craftsmanship. Through years of study and hands-on experience, Jim developed the skills to create historically inspired leather goods, custom commissions, and authentic props for film and television productions. His work has appeared in a variety of productions, most recently contributing handcrafted leather props to the acclaimed television series The Chosen.

The best craftsmanship reproduces the past and helps us experience it.

Beyond the workshop, Jim has spent years bringing history to life through living history presentations, educational programs, and interactive performances. His gift for storytelling allows him to share not only the history behind the objects he creates but also the lives of the people who would have used them.

Today, Jim and his wife call Palm Coast, Florida, home, where Diamond Jim LeatherWorks continues to create heirloom-quality leather goods for customers across the world. While his address may have changed, his commitment to traditional craftsmanship remains firmly rooted in the heritage of those who pioneered the craft for centuries before. He serves collectors, re-enactors, filmmakers, museums, and customers who appreciate the quality and character of genuine handcrafted leather. Whether crafting a period-correct historical item, a custom commission, or a screen-used prop, his goal remains the same: create pieces that are beautiful, believable, and built to last.

To Jim, leather-working is more than a profession. It is a way of preserving history, honoring traditional craftsmanship, and creating lasting works that can be enjoyed for generations. When you own a piece from Diamond Jim LeatherWorks, you're not just purchasing handcrafted leather goods. You are investing in a story, a tradition, and the hands of a master craftsman.