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Just got my new set of steep angle smooth bevlers from Barry King. When I compare to recent project with my textured craft tool bevel I can barely notice the bevels with the new steep angle. Am I using the steep angle bevel wrong or is this how it's supposed to look?

what you really want are escapement files, originally designed for watch and clock maker use

You can get a trial version of LightBurn and you won't have to do all this fiddling you guys are doing. Yes it has a learning curve. I find anything worth doing is doing it with the right program or tools. Personally, I hate InkScape.

I have an xTool S1 40w. I tried using the "score" feature to place the pattern on a knife sheath. Then used my SK and tooled it like I normally would. I'll try to post a photo of what it looks like. The only problem I had so far is A) some of the finer lines it combined in the bitmap so the laser made some odd figures to try and tool and B)its less forgiving if you stray off your original line since it puts such a dark line on the leather. I have not tried to dye it yet so it might cover it.

The knife was made by my blacksmithing mentor, I have tried teaching him sheath making but something just don't work out for him. I don't make many knives.

Bruce, that's the simplest solution. 15 cents at most yard sales. That said; Chuck, I like your stacked handle on that double-ender.

Both look good. Nice sunburst dye jobs.

I wouldn't deliver a flawed product in this case.

And here I just make them out of old screwdrivers...you guys are fancy!

Thanks but there are lots of Cobra users on here and it's not a very difficult question.

This right here. I am not picking on you but if I have to do anything more than once, every pass is a chance for error. It doesn't matter what. Two coats of dye on an edge, multiple hits on a stamp, whatever. Two or three passes with something with no steering like a wing divider - I am not that consistent either. Saddle divider with a wide flat inside surface to follow an edge then yes. Now the crabby old guy perspective and not pointed at anyone, just how i learned and was taught. I get this question a lot and here is my answer. The only place I did not groove was stitching into crease lines on wallet interiors with #69 thread. The purpose of a stitch groove is to recess the thread to prevent thread wear and/or add comfort to user in contact areas. They make different styles of groovers and different size grooving tips. You can match the groove width and depth to the thread size. even the amount of pressure you use can control depth and width with some groovers. You don't have to dig a 3x3 ditch for #92 thread and a scratch line for #346 is just a target line for straight stitching and not functional. For the people who say that you weaken the leather, I hear that a lot. The "strength of leather is all in the grain". OK, take that little spindle of leather you grooved off and pull it apart between a two finger grip. If that is the strength you need to keep your work together you have bigger problems. There is essentially no added strength in that little hair of leather. If there was then there would be instructions on how to make projects with it (actually you can make decorative miniature bird nests with it). The strength of the leather is all in the density of the dermis, thickness, and what part of the hide it comes from. That little sliver of epidermis is inconsequential. I have stickers made up (see below) on all the sewing machines in the shop for my wife and anyone who comes over and borrows some machine time.

ask here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/101589880193668

If this is something you are looking at as a show piece for your work replace it. Todd

yes they did, they look great.

yeah good job!!! I buy all the old books I can find.

Thats a cool build indeed. I take it you made the knife also.

I've been told the difference between a journeyman and a master is that the master can hide their mistakes. I would redo the strap if i couldnt make it totally invisible. I'm no master by any means. youve prolly spent more time and energy on this post than it would take to redo the strap. A gift should be perfect. Not something you couldn't sell, especially if you plan on getting more work from it.. Good luck to you and Merry Christmas.☺️

Thank you !! Now that I have a working pattern i can do some tweaking to make them even better. Right now I have some nice thick merino wool socks that work really well in these.

Thanks dwight, I'm thinking a good long while on the soles they are 10oz and the insole is also 10 oz. I'll know soon enough I'm sure. What is nice is they can be resoled pretty easily i think. I'm also going to make a pattern for sandals, and the Roman type of sole is a great way to do that for sure. I I've been thinking what kind of leather crafter would i be if i couldnt make my own shoes lol.

Really cool! Just add some shearling on the inside and you have nice winter shoes. Just watch out for ice lol.

It's hard to say really. Can the error be viewed by a potential customer as a scratch because of use? I wouldn't worry about it. I tend to focus on my mistakes and I don't like something that's glaring to me. Other's may not see it but I tend to catch it and it bugs me. If I want to show off a purse that I'm selling for $250 I don't want something obvious showing up. It's my name on the bag and the price tag warrants redoing a strap that will cost me $5 to replace.

It’s not necessarily “personal” nor a “sale item”, but a gift for a friend that I hope will also give business leads as he brags about and shows off the bag, so that line of perfection lies in somewhat of a murky area. If it were the body of the bag (already restarted twice), it wouldn’t be a question, but it’s “just” the strap. I would hope that the bag will steal the show and nobody will notice the strap, but I know it can also be the difference between a $50 bag and a $150 bag. Again, it’s only a gift for a friend, but he’s also a walking billboard. I want to roll with it, but my unrealistic demand for perfection says otherwise… — AZR

Come on you Cobra'ers! Is this normal or has it snagged in that position?

I have gone to just using a groover that puts an indent in the leather, doesn't scratch or cut the top layer. I found this works better oops situations and if I groove after I die there is not a white streak to possibly show under the stitches. Todd

Good looking . . . wonder how long the soles will last . . . I'm gonna make myself a pair some day . . . using the 3 layer approach the Romans used on their sandals. Bottom layer is sole . . . thick . . . and they had kinda likd hob nails that gave them traction whenever they were worn. Middle layer actually is all one piece . . . toes and tongue would sew in like yours . . . sides and ends are all one piece Top piece is the inner layer that touches the wearer's foot. All three layers were sewn together . . . and if I recall correctly . . . may have been some rivets. That is what I'll do Plan on making mine to stop just below the knee . . . will put zippers in the inside for quick on and off May God bless, Dwight