kevinhopkins

I can see where that thing might have "fought you all the way", but you can sure see that you won the battle! Kevin

Boy, that's great looking stuff there! Wish I had a bike, just so I could do that! Kevin

Hi Jerry, Those are just really nice.... I wish I could get the braiding thing in my head, but I've got something defunct up there that just doesn't permit anything more complicated than shoelaces! Kevin

Hi... it will lighten up, but it sure will take a while. The bickmore product has worked well for us in the past. I'm not a big fan of neatsfoot when it comes to exotics. Still looks good tho! Kevin

Hi China, Actually, I think your machine is an old shoe factory machine, and depending on your circumstances, and what you make, and whether or not the machine is in good working condition, I'd seriously think about keeping it. The place where post machines like that really shine is when it comes to making handbags, and sewing patches on jackets. If you anticipate doing either, I'd keep it. It probably takes off like a bat when you step on it, but if you put a servo motor on it, it becomes fairly user friendly. If it's got a roller foot on it, that's another matter, but if it's paid for and it works, and you want to do handbags, I'd keep it. But if you don't want it, at least now you know what sort of person to sell it to! kevin

Hi... Actually, I'm wondering if you didn't get the super sheen on a bit heavy... I've never had that stuff crack in all my years... The stuff in the spray can is properly thinned to prevent that. (supposedly) But if you really coat it heavily, and it dries thoroughly, I could see where that might happen. You might consider Masters quick shine... It's a spray, and I've never been able to get that stuff to crack... It's not as shiny as the super shene tho. Ever since they switched from the old Tandy formula, super shene has just not been the same. I'm kinda doubtful that it will work out, but I wish you the best! Kevin

It's a bit difficult to advise, but I think I'd start by making sure that I used a modeling tool to work every square inch of that skull, except the background. using the modeler will soften the appearance of the eye bones, and can be used to round and shape things to some degree. As to the background, I think I might consider using a different backgrounder if you have one. Maybe a good quality f898 or f899. Something with a pattern that's not quite so bold. Just my opinion tho.... Kevin

Handles are beautiful... But I don't know about you guys that braid. Every time I try to do a simply bolo cord, it takes me 30 minutes just to figure out how to start. I think if I ever tried to do something complicated, I'd have to make sure my wife was around to make sure I didn't hang myself... Kevin

Y'know...Simple is nice. And that belt will wear for years. The one that I wear is made from two layers of horse. I put a 1" wide strip of rawhide in the middle of it, and sewed down the edges. I think I'll pass it on to my kid's kids.... Kevin

Nice belts.... I'll bet those golf conchos were a challenge to find! Kevin

Hi... It sort of depends on where you got the leather, and how you bought it. Hermann makes quite a variety of leathers, and some will not readily accept water. Regardless, if you're going to carve on it, you'll need to get it wet, or get some that you can get wet. Happy Carving! Kevin

Depending on how many you need, you can get them from Ohio Travel Bag co. If you're just needing a few, then I've got them too. Kevin Springfield Leather

Hi Monica, Balance is the key.... Just give em' your biggest smile when you tell them that you're soooo sorry, but you just can't do that. Kevin

Hi Crystal, I liked your rig so much I just had to give you my 2 cts worth... It's such a pleasure to see nice clean, simple styling! That's my 2 cts worth! Kevin

Hi Adam, It's always nice to work with good tools, and good edgers are no exception. But I've gotta tell you, once you become familiar with what you can do with a good sanding unit, your edger won't be quite as important to you. If you don't have, or can't get, or don't want to use a sander, then buying a good edger is your best option. I've not used them all, but I've been pretty happy with the Osborne line. They make several different styles, as I'm sure your'e aware, and some do better than others. But for holsters and sheaths, its a sander, whether a belt or a drum, and if you're doing your work for a living, you need to visit someone who really knows how to use one, and have them demonstrate for you. Kevin

Hi Johann, Actually, I think that I have the cheapest and best Kangaroo lace in the U.S. I sell 50 yds for 36.00 U.S. And I think that I'm the largest distributor of Kangaroo lace in this country... if I'm wrong, someone will just have to correct me... I think I can ship it to Germany, but I'm not sure about shipping costs, since I'm at home at the moment... Thanks, Kevin@springfieldleather.com

Hi Rickey, Really nice seat! Dyeing thread is a booger! You can dye the natural fiber ones like linen, and cotton, but they won't normally hold up as well as nylon or poly. The nylon and poly just don't really take dye well. Kevin

Hi... Ohio Travel is a good source. If for some reason you can't justify ordering from them, we get orders in about every 2 days from them, and I'd be happy to get what you need, if it will help. Thanks, Kevin, Springfield Leather

I'm impressed...My wife says that I'm the packrat from hell.... Is it possible that you're the casemaker from the same vicinity? Great job, and thanks! Kevin

Hi Monica, I'm not familiar with all the blue gun models, but is that not able to be had at the places that sell police and tactical stuff...It's where we bought ours. Kevin

The treadle machines really aren't too heavy duty... it sort of depends on the treadle that you've got. If you've got a patching machine, they're good for one thing: Patching boots or shoes, or something else that you can't get at by any other way. They will not sew heavy thread, and the bobbin is the size of a BB. If it's a treadle that was a home type machine, 4-5 oz is about it. The patchers are good for about 1/4, maybe 5/16... Kevin

Hi... I stock the osbornes, (but I'm not at the store, so I don't know what we've got at the moment). I think they're about the best of what you can get outside of going to one of the expensive ones that folks have mentioned. And we have Osborne tools coming in about every week or so. Thanks, Kevin

Hi Rusty, I think what you're wanting isn't too difficult in this case. I kind of think that you could take some very thin paper of some sort, and hold it down against the leather, and go over it with a soft lead pencil. I think that you'll end up with a pattern that you can trace. You shouldn't have to worry about the basketweave. Just the leaves. I'm pretty sure it will work... Happy tracing! Kevin

Hi! Great score! Something that you need to know about the foil machine... Not all foil releases the same way on all leathers. You need to find which foils will release on the leathers that you want to emboss. So make sure that you do a fair bit of experimenting. Different heats can be an issue too. Happy foiling! Kevin

Hi Spinner, It's a nice bag! Looks like something that one of those old mountain men would have carried... I like the way that elk looks with that stitching. (I think I'd recommend an antique bkle tho... ) Kevin