kevinhopkins

Hi.... Actually, I think hidecrafters will give that stuff away if you ask.... I know I will! We have to empty out the collector bag on the shop finishers fairly often. But for what it's worth, I don't know why anyone would have to have leather dust, when sawdust is plentiful, and works great.... But if you need it, drop me a note, or email me, and when we empty the dumb bag, I'll send it to you for the cost of shipping. Kevin@springfieldleather.com

Hi.... You need to walk the pear shader just like the beveler... And it may take a bit of practice, but it might help if you think of your hand as a vice with a tool in it, thats attached to your wrist. I know that might be a stretch, but just might get you over the mental hump! And for what it's worth, you can almost always use a little bigger pearshader than you think you can. Keep pounding! You'll get it! Kevin@springfieldleather.com

Hi! Looks like all holds together, and will be of good service! As to dying leather, it's easiest to dye veg leather, and more difficult to dye chrome leather. I'm not sure what you have available as to products, but I've used everything from leather dyes to walnut hulls, and I kind of think it's what ever floats your boat! Kevin

I'd like to know if there's a significant demand for Chaylor interiors... I have an opportunity. Kevin Hopkins

Hi.... it's gotta be an exacto #11 blade. But Marlon is right on. Depending on why you're wanting to cut those particular shapes, and how many of them you anticipate using, you might want to investigate buying them outright. We produce thousands of those things for various people and groups, and depending on your needs, you might be able to buy them cheaper than you can cut them. (really) Kevin@Springfieldleather.com

y'know....that's just nice stuff. Criticism....well, I really don't have any, because it's just nice. I've got a feeling you probably already know what you could do better. Nothing stands out to me! I like it! Kevin

Hi... I'm kinda with Clay... I really like the old tools that I've got. And while I can understand a 30 dollar beveler, I'm probably not the guy that would buy one. I sort of think that the tools that will do the best job are the tools that you like, and that feel good to you. We just got some samples of some new 936 bevelers from Craft Japan, and they're just really pretty impressive. I'm kind of thinking that they might be the ones that Hide crafter is selling. At the moment, we're selling them for 5 bucks apiece, but that price won't last. The only reason that I have them for that, is because Craft Japan was out of their normal 936, and they kindly offered to sub this nice one for the same price. Anyway, my two cents worth is a checkered 701 and a 936, and watch out world!!!! For what it's worth, I've also got some of the steep HC bevelers at bargain prices if you're interested. Happy Hammering! Kevin@springfieldleather.com

You're more than welcome to call me. It's toll free, and I enjoy talking about leather and what can be done with it. I'll do my best to make you smarter. Kevin@springfieldleather.com 800-668-8518

Hi... The hide house carries a pretty good line of it, and actually, I've always got a fair bit of it. But mine is mostly in odd lots, so I might not have the color that you want. (it sure would be reasonable tho!) And from time to time, Steve (Cinema) still gets some, although mostly in odd lots too. I know that he has a very large shipment of pig on the way to him, but i don't know if it's suede or not. thanks, Kevin@springfieldleather.com

Hi Monica, I'm not too good with formula pricing, but I think when a person is able to keep tabs on what is perceived as valuable to his or her customer base at the current time, I think that it's pretty easy to sell "value", and "added value". Sometimes it's hard for me to remember that just because I happen to have 2000 lbs of ostrich scrap, that doesn't lessen it's value. Exotics are what they are, and right now, people expect to pay for them. I know that this really doesn't offer much in the way of direction, but it's my 2 cts worth, and I just love to type! Kevin

Hi... Very nice job! One thing that I always liked about the acrylic paints is the fact that you can water them down and then build up the colors. You can really do a lot with those... Kevin

Hi... I think you're on the right track with your length, and having 2 snaps on one end is good too. Just a side point, I've done a lot of shows where I actually let the kids stamp their own band...... There were times when those wrist bands carried the show. And of course, there's nothing like a bunch of pounding and excited kids to draw a crowd... Just something to think about! Kevin

Hi Rickey, The only time I've ever found it handy to use a jig was in sharpening some old blades that the angles were completely destroyed on. The one thing that I don't like about the jigs, is that they leave the blade with the abrasive marks running the wrong way on the blade. But, in they're defense, they make it easy to put the proper angle on a blade, or restore an edge. I've always made sure that I go back and forth sideways with my blade, on a very fine stone, to get rid of the vertical abrasive marks. Then I polish, or strop, or what ever. It's kind of surprising the difference that it makes, and the blade seems to stay smooth longer. I'm sure everyone has their own tricks tho... Kevin

Hi... I've never ran into anything that would do a better job than water and heat.... I've even asked Bo Riddle about it, and he doesn't have a clue! And according to him, he knows everything! Anyway, if you do come up with anything, I'd love to know about it! Happy Hardening! Kevin@springfieldleather.com

Hi...I hate to be so darned agreeable, but I'm sure you've figured out by now that pretty much nothing will touch it. Although..... I have seen Oxalic acid actually remove stains of that sort, depending on the leather, and I've also seen Dyo Spot remover do it as well. I've never seen deglazer do it. I've also seen Oxalic acid fail, and the Dyo Spot remover fail. But for what it's worth, the oxalic acid and the spot remover are pretty amazing products, and we've used them both in our shop to remove stains and marks from leather that I thought was doomed. Just my 2 cts worth. Kevin/Springfield Leather

Hi Chuck, One thing that I learned a long time ago (took me longer than it would most folks) is that it's a lot easier to learn tooling on good leather than it is on economy leather. Kind of like trying to learn to play guitar on one that just isn't friendly.... Anyway, spend a little extra on the tooling leather, and your progress will be rapid. Looks like you've got the hang of it, as it is! Kevin Hopkins

I was just thinking that there might be folks out there that suspect some of us are from the delta quadrant.... Kevin

Hi... Water buffalo is a pretty neat leather, but it really depends on what it's tanned for as to it how it will be for various projects. I've seen water buffalo calf skins that were tanned for bootmaking that would just make a grown man cry!!! The grain is just awesome! On the other hand, if it's veg tanned in heavy weights, it can be a bit brittle, have a tendency to crack when bent, and perhaps not work all that well in some applications. But if you know how to work with it, and use the stuff wisely, it can be one of the most beautiful leathers that you'll ever work with... It's sort of one of those relative things, y'know... I know this is pretty vague, but it's the best I can do after a pretty long day! Kevin

Hi...Holster looks really good! I think pretty much everyone that tries an airbrush for the first time says the same thing.... We just don't really realize how easy they are! Sure saves on the dye too! Kevin Hopkins

Hi Ricky, As mentioned, they're called lace hooks. If you only need a few, and can't justify getting them direct from Ohio TB, I can get them for you. Kevin Hopkins

Hi... Usually, a biker wallet that you buy would be made from 4-5 oz, or close to it... Of course, it's really what you or your customer wants that would make the final choice. Kevin

Hi... Sounds like a great sized pc that you've got. It doesn't need to be sealed. Just pound away! Hopefully it's nice and flat! And thick! Kevin Hopkins

Hi Kustom, as has been mentioned, there are a lot of ways that you can get by to burnishing things. But depending on where you're at in your leather life, you might want to give consideration to picking up a used shoe finisher. THere are cheap ones, and there are expensive ones, but one thing is for sure, if you have one, your leather work will take a big change for the better! Just my 2 cts.... Kevin Hopkins

Hi...I think I'd be using 8-9 at least, and skiving where necessary, so that you can sew it, and fold it, and all that other happy stuff. I'm kind of a believer in using as heavy of leather as possible in applications like that... The bridle leathers, and even Hermann veg leather would really make a nice case. Best wishes! Kevin Hopkins