And I Was Going To Throw It Away!

[Tex Shooter]

Recently I have split a bunch of 20 year old folding knife blanks. This was veg tan belly and I never thought about using the split off pieces for anything, but a lot of them came off at 5 or 6 oz weight. I had a idea that I think has merit. How about using the split off pieces for first time stitching classes such as boy scouts. I took a couple of the thinner ones that I saved and hand stitched them. I used no pricking awl or punching awl, but just marked the stitch line and used a stab awl to make the holes, then stitch with a single needle down and back and tied the end off. They looked pretty good and were very functional. (see Picture) This way someone new to the hobby would only need a stab awl one needle and some thread which could be supplied by the class instructor. This would be great for boys clubs and boy or girl scouts and etc. The stab awls could be made with a package of stab points and some hard wood tool handle blanks. The stab awl points about 50 cents and the file tool handle blanks about $1.00 and stitching needle about 40 cents. This would not only teach how to stitch but how to get by on a very little money. It has been my experience that local businesses will support such a effort. I know that the finished product does not look like much, but to a boy that does it himself it will give him great pride and just maybe make a new leather worker in the process. -- Tex

[DoubleC]

Great idea for a great cause. Cheryl

[olds cool]

You've got a good idea there. I was a scout when I was younger and I remember leatherwork the most. Probably why I do it today. Now as an adult I've become a leader and after telling one of my scouts about my hobby and showing him some work, he couldn't wait to share every piece he did at camp. None of his pieces were even worthy of the scrap bin for most of the folks here but he was grinning from ear to ear and I was sure to share in his enthusiasm for the craft. I hope that some day he decides to take it up as a hobby and will look back and remember me the same way I remember the counselors that got me started many years ago. At that age, it doesn't matter if it's perfectly cut, if it's the best leather out there, or if it's stitched straight. What matters is that they made something useful with their own hands...a skill that seems to be lost on most of todays society.