druid

Machete Scabbard

Purse for my 17 year old: Inside size [my hand is a glove size XL] Carving: Strap: Clasp:

That's a good looking belt. Anyone would be proud to wear it on their Tartan.

Thank you. The Department Sporran took me about 11 hours over 2 days to build....but that was from absolute scratch. If you are going to make a volley of sporrans, I would suggest making rigid templates out of plastic. You really only need one plate to represent the front and the back, as the only difference between them is the snap tab...and then one template for the gusset. The basic materials needed are: X-Acto knife with SHARP blades and cutting mat or block. Fabric pencil. Crazy Glue. The front and back plate leather I was from Tandy, it's their heavy 12-14oz steer sides. I used this for both Sporrans. Gusset Material. All leather, I used goat skin. Cloth as my department Sporran, use whatever you desire. I used the nylon that covers the face. Heavy nylon thread. If using a machine, make SURE your needles are SHARP. Use a diamond hone on the tip. Otherwise, a hand or Speedy-stitcher works well. Also keep it sharp. Dyes of your choice [for leather Sporrans]. EcoFlo satin sheen [for leather Sporrans]. Hole punch for Cantle mounting. Snap set [2 pieces for male, 2 pieces for female] and setter for closure. Cantle. If making Sporrans for her band, if there's a band logo or patch, consider doing what I did for my Department Sporran. That process was : Trace the plate on the BACK side of the nylon [fabric pencil]. Add 2" to the tracing so that you can curl it around the edge to the inside of the plate [front and back plate]. Cut them out. Center your patch or logo on the FRONT of the cloth material. I used a drop of Crazy Glue to hold it in place while I sewed the patch in place. Temporarily set the cloth onto the front plate and install the Cantle over top. This allows you to center the logo in relation to the Cantle. Use a drop or 2 of Crazy Glue to hold the cloth to the leather plate. When glue sets, remove the Cantle. Turn the project face down and fold the edge of the cloth over the leather and glue down. Use the glue SPARINGLY. You will need to facet the cloth [snip to make trapezoid shaped cuts] so that it lays flat on the back of the leather. When the edge is finished, make sure the logo is still centered. If so, add your lining and run the edge [about 1/8" or 3/16" in from the edge] through the machine and sew down. This stitch is hidden when adding the gusset. Install the gusset onto the front plate. Start in the center of the bottom and move toward the top on one side and repeat for the other side. The stitch line should be 1/4" to 3/8" in from the edge. Fold the gusset over the edge and to the back of the plate. [second picture, post #6]. Cover the back plate in the same manner as the front plate. Make a chain hanger from scrap leather; center and sew onto the back plate. Mount it about 3" down from the top. Use a cotton cloth to line the inside of the leather plates. The cloth only needs to cover the natural face of the leather and the overlap from the front material. Sew the gusset onto the back plate. Add the Cantle and set the snap onto the back plate and tab.

Post #6 shows you the inside of the front plate. You can clearly see those "acorn nuts" I was talking about.

@wolf. Thanks, you're welcome and "pretty easily"....lol. The Cantles have 3 threaded posts on the back side....one in center and one each, left and right sides. Those threaded posts have "acorn-top" nuts that thread onto the ends. You simply punch holes in the leather in line for those posts....push them through and add the nut to the back side. That holds it in place. On mine, I had to make leather "washers" to go behind the nuts because the posts are fairly long and the added thickness of leather took up that space. That prevents the Cantle from rattling or wobbling. @Sylvia. Thank you. His loss was a sad day for all of us. ...and many people [especially women ] do, thank you and yes. I used liquid thread locker on the back side of the tartan patch to keep it from fraying. I then cemented that to a thin piece of goatskin so it would lay [and stay] flat. The Clan Tartan I am wearing is called Young Modern. There's another Tartan that was made and it's called Young Weathered. I don't particularly like that color scheme though. Any "Weathered" Tartan is designed with Historical color styles in mind. A weathered pattern is normally colored with dyes that resemble plant and animal stains from the time period. At one point in History, Clan Young was Septed by Clan Douglas and remained conjoined until 1989 ...where the Young applied for [and was granted] separation/autonomy from Douglas . Since there were no surviving Tartans for Young to replicate, new ones had to be created and registered in Scotland. You can see them here: http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&biw=1280&bih=909&tbm=isch&tbnid=2_tHdqduFiYsxM:&imgrefurl=http://www.lochcarron.com/reiver/young.html&docid=tInxYI2W0ekYlM&imgurl=http://www.lochcarron.com/reiver/tartan/W-Z/you_w.jpg&w=450&h=344&ei=k4lQT5KNKPK00QGa9P3CDQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=801&vpy=141&dur=112&hovh=196&hovw=257&tx=122&ty=61&sig=104892940911539290646&page=1&tbnh=120&tbnw=157&start=0&ndsp=38&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0 ...as that is where Barb Tewksbury bought the material to make my Kilt [barb, the co-author of the book, "The Art of Kilt Making"]. My Kilt was hand made by her...and there were no US stores/stock of the material. She had to order it right from Scotland...and it was expensive LOL. My Kilt is a box-pleat design, using about 4.5 yards of 16oz wool. That's approximately half the material needed for a knife-pleated Kilt. It's plenty heavy for Pennsylvania Winters and just light enough not to be TOO-too hot in the summer....but still cost me $800 for the Kilt and 3 Ladies' sashes. An example of the sashes....my Family and I [Wife and 3 daughters]:

The "metal piece" at the top, to which you are referring, is called a "Sporran Cantle"....or as we call them...simply "Cantle." You can buy them here: http://lythgoesporrans.webs.com/apps/photos/album?albumid=8922979 Well...I made a new one that's more appropriate to the uniform - I used the same process as the one above...with the exception that the leather is bound in Black nylon. The gusset is also black nylon.

I think TJ is under the misconception that I'm against these devices for fun...or under careful supervision. I am not. I'm reporting that kids are placing them as boobytraps...that they are INTENDED to hurt other people...and therefore, to be careful when policing your properties for trash. You seem to forget that while yes, I cited a "media outlet" for pictorial purposes, I also referred to LE concerns because incidents of this type are on the rise. Perhaps not in your area - yet - but they are. As to the "chemistry" of the devices...yes, they are being currently constructed in a way so as not to detonate until moved by the intended victims. Remember...when you and I did these as kids [myself, over 25 years ago] chemicals weren't as "clean/pure/potent" as they are today...and frankly...the average kid who made these weren't as intelligent/antisocial/sociopathic as kids are today. TJ. Take a breath man...relax. While I don't like the idea of "Secede from the Union"....I AM all for handgunning, hunting, CCW and all those other things "Texans" love to flaunt....but this particular topic does have a place in the world too.

I had the occasion to wear it today. Sadly, it was for a fellow Officer's funeral. My Class A uniform for Honor Guard, en-route to play at graveside:

Inside Gusset Front Back [belt hanger] All that's left to do is put the snap on and seal it with the semi gloss coating.

and 3 more:

thanks. Got 2 new pics. The pieces are just "set together" to show what it basically looks like. Still have lots to do before it's finished:

Dyed the front face and tooled/dyed the Cantle

Just a project I've been working on between ice storms and shifts in the Prison... Templates I made: What I have so far: ^^ The face is still wet from stamping and will go back to natural color when dry. ^^ All materials are from Tandy Leather except for the Tartan, which are remnants from when Barb made my Kilt. It sits under the Boss and is centered under the Triquetra. The sporran face and back are 12-14oz cow hide, the gusset is ~4oz goat. The colors are 'British Tan" and common black. The face color of the Sporran is going to match the Triquetra [british Tan], the Cantle is going to be black and carved to match the design [imprint] face of the Sporran. I still have some smoothing to do on the Triquetra edges [where it's cut out] and I didn't get a pic of the gusset...but the gusset is a wide one, at 3" wide and is black.

The way I read your post TJ, I find your callous attitude quite insulting. I guess since these devices are so "mundane"...I guess you wouldn't mind creating one and put up a video of you holding it in your bare hands as it detonates? Just "funnin' around" with buddies in an empty field [FAR AWAY from other people/stuff] is one thing. What I posted here is completely different... These kids are putting these devices around and making them in such a way that they are not detonating them for poops and giggles at the "boom"...they are intending to hurt people by having the VICTIMS 'move' the bottles, causing the chemical reaction and the detonation. That's malicious intent.

As many of you might know, I work for the DOC/SRT and am in constant contact in the LE circles. This is primarily intended for US residents but I guess it could as easily apply to those outside our borders... I got this in an email today, put it through Snopes. They, along with LE determined it to be a real and continuing threat. It's kind of useless to redact out the ingredients, due to the investigative nature of people but the quantities of ingredients are not present in this article: http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/bottlebomb.asp The Email I received: Straight from Davidson County Sheriff�s office: Kids are putting Drano, tin foil, and a little water in soda bottles and Capping it up - leaving it on lawns. When you go to pick up the trash, And the bottle is shaken just a little - in about 30 seconds or less it Builds up a gas and explodes with enough force to remove some of your Extremities. The liquid that comes out is boiling hot as well. Don't pick up any plastic bottles that may be lying in your yards or in The gutter, etc. Pay attention to this. 1. A plastic bottle with a cap. 2. A little Drano. 3. A little water.. 4. A small piece of foil. 5. Disturb it by moving it; and BOOM!! No fingers left and other serious effects to your face, eyes, etc. People are finding these "bombs" in mailboxes and in their yards, just Waiting for you to pick it up intending to put it in the trash. But, you'll never make it!!! It takes about 30 seconds to blow after you move the thing. -------------------- DO NOT TOUCH RANDOM BOTTLES PLACED ANYWHERE YOU DIDN'T PUT THEM YOURSELVES. -------------------- It's really sad that kids are so bored they have to come up with this kind of crap. Guess baseball is out anymore...

Thin metal banding from a lumber yard.

You're welcome. Interestingly enough, you mentioned Mayan...so I looked up mine in the Mayan Zodiac as well. this one happens to be EERILY close to my personality: http://www.energy-healing-info.com/mayan-astrology-signs.html Ch'en: January 2nd to January 21st Meaning: Black Storm, Black Sky, Moon, One Flower, West Mayan Astrology Signs Interpretation: Those born in the Ch'en sign are people of the night. The hours past dusk and before the first light are power times for you. Tap into this time of quiet energy to develop yourself fully. You have a natural affinity for moon energies. Consider wearing moonstone to increase your connection with lunar energies. Your cardinal direction is the West and facing Westward during meditation can be very beneficial for you.

Nope. I'm still the same A-hole I was before that all happened :D

I'm a Capricorn which states: Practical and prudent Ambitious and disciplined Patient and careful Humorous and reserved On the dark side.... Pessimistic and fatalistic Miserly and grudging The ONLY thing I disagree with is "Ambitious." ...but according to the Celtic Zodiac: http://www.novareinn...tion/birch.html I'm considered "Birch" but fall under the lesser influence of the Elm which states: January 12-January 20: Those born between these two dates also fall under the lesser influence of a secondary tree...the Elm, whose motto is "Noble Attitude." Elm individuals are usually pleasantly built and are fond of tasteful clothes. Their demands are modest and they are practical by nature. There is a tendency to be unforgiving of those who make mistakes, but they are otherwise cheerful. With a desire to lead, the unconventional Elm individual dislikes being given orders, but does make for an honest and faithful partner. With an inherent dislike of selfish people and those who "follow the pack," the ideals of Elm people lean strongly toward justice and tolerance. Although Elm individuals are prone to make decisions on behalf of others, they are nonetheless noble-minded and generous with a good sense of humor. Those who fall under the jurisdiction of the Elm detest being labeled...even if that label be a flattering one. ....and happens to be more accurate in my opinion Oh and 8thsinner.........love the Triquetra Avatar.

looks great. If I were to have made it, I'd add little "tabs" behind the spines of the blade and put snaps on them to keep the sheath on the blade.

One other thing you can do is to warm it up with a hairdryer to loosen the lower part [heel of the hawk blade] where you pull the hawk out. Just the bottom edge of it and only very slightly.

Yep, Skirmish is about 45 mins Northwest of me. You are the equivalent of my distance to EMR then [almost at the NY border]. It's a bit of a hike...lol

Awesome, thanks for answering. I'm 40 years old and I've been playing since 86 - so the game isn't new to me. The thing is, I'm not at all concerned about 'bounces.' Since I've given up tourney play in 02 - I only play rec and scenario ball for fun anymore. I'm all about a "look" or a "persona" in this project. The 15-30 minute reinsertions keep me in the game, which I play all day or all weekend long. Think about "Halloween" games "in costume" at many of the bigger fields...Sherwood Forest, Skirmish [my home field] and EMR...It's all fun for me and nothing "all to serious" anymore. I just want a "wow" factor on the field....but I don't want the leather ruined by Evil or Draxxus paints either. Even PMI Premium is difficult to get out of Jerseys...and I Scotch Guard the crap out of them the day before.......lol. I was originally going to go for a "Coat of Plates" type of armor but I think I will change that to a http://www.swordnarmory.com/Roman-Steel-Muscle-Plate-Cuirass-Armor-Leather-p/ni36368.htm]Cuirass[/url] or Lorica Segmentata style breast and back plate. It will be easier to carve but more difficult to make into hardened armor. I'm going to need a dummy or mannequin to mold the hot, waterlogged leather on.