Sal

Hello to you too. Thanks for introducing yourself. I'm along the Lake Michigan shoreline in the Holland area.I do visit the Tandy/Leather Factory in GR from time to time but I am not impressed with the quality of leatherwork the employees there do and I have felt for a while now that there must be something better out there. By being on this forum, I have found that there is something better out there, but not much in Michigan--and I'm learning a lot here. You will to. Happy carving. . . . Sally

The basket space on this particular piece is not too big and it will have a border and it will surround the leaf. In general, which comes first?, as I do plan on doing larger pieces where the basket stamp will surround the focal design? Your help is so appreciated.

What is the correct sequence of adding a basket stamp to a project that includes a tooled design---before tooling the design or after tooling the design. Then----how close to the tooled design should the basket stamp be?; And, in what sequence is the backgound added?

Siegle of Ca. sells a line of tools----Crown. Anyone know anything about them or are they the same quality as Craftools?

Thank you all very much. I am clearer on what defines a quality leather-working tool now. I don't know anyone in my area who would have the better tools to try them out (actually, I don't know anyone in my area who does leather work at all), but I feel more confident in paying the extra dollar to try a couple of them. As always, this forum is the best teacher!

I've been reading a lot lately about personal preferences of using tools such as those by Beard, Henley. King, etc., vs. Tandy's Craftools---but I'm not getting the actual reason why Tandy's are inferior to the others. What makes a $100.00 basketweave stamp better than a $5.00 basketweave stamp, or a $120.00 swivel knife/blade better than a $20.00 swivel knife/blade? I've been working with leather for over eight years (not long compared to most of you) and have used only Tandy's tools and I have received very gratifying praise from people I do work for. Am I really going to see a major improvement in my work if I spend more money on tools? If you think I will, whose tools will give me better results? I know I will receive differing opinions, but that's what I need. Thanks. . . .

Thank you everyone. I have concluded that I just need to practice "freehand" more. Using a guide is so stress-free, but cutting boarder lines free-hand makes me very nervous. Thanks again.

Yes, I do have a bead blade. I neglected to add that straight lines are no problem, it's the curved ones that I can't get to look good. Any advice about doing curves? I appreciate you help.

I have tried everthing I can think of to get a nice clean, STRAIGHT bead line--cutting a line and following it with a wing divider,using a stich groover, etc, but it looks horrible after I add the second line as I can't get the second line to follow the first. I have a very smooth edge to follow so the first line looks great but I can't get the bead to be an even width. Very frustrating! As always, you experienced craftsmen are awesome.

What product should I use to re-condition a brown distressed Harley D. jacket, chaps and vest? The leather is really dry. This particular set is a limited edition set (Billings) from a couple of years ago and I sure don't want to ruin it. Thanks for any suggestions.

Try www.klendasaddlery.com. They sell all kinds of patterns. I have used the Chinks pattern--great results.

Hidden Valley--very funny.

Has anyone every covered a motorcycle helmet with leather? How do you go about doing that and what leather do you use? Can you use veg tanned with a carved design on it? Thanks,

My business name is Ranch Dressings. I've been making everything and anything since I was a kid (a long time ago), and a few years ago, my son, who lives in Jackson Hole, WY, asked me to make him a pair of chaps. So that was my first attempt at leather work. They turned out really awesome and now I have made chaps and chinks for a lot of his friends out west. Some of his friends work or live on or own horse ranches--thus the "Ranch" part of the name; and because I am also involved in a lot of garment construction---thus the dress, or "Dressings" part of the name. I do need to get a makers stamp. Any suggestions of who/where to get one made?

Thank you. I didn't know the half round strap end punch came that small. I'm glad I joined this forum.