terrymac

Have any of you used Bag Kote for finishing a project. I am doing a large brief case, and I don't want a shinny finish. The case is primarily slick leather, and I am using the Eco Flo Antique Gel. It just seems to work better on bare leather than Fibeings which is what I would normaly use. The customer wants a dark color and and I am using the mahogany color. I was afraid Tan Kote would play havoc with a water based dye, and so I was wondering if maybe the Bag Kote might be the ticket. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Terry

Cowboy, You are a better artist than I am. I just know the whole Sheridan pattern is based on circles with the flower being the center of the circle, and the vines and leaves being the connecting devices in a flowing pattern. Sounds easy, but it gives me fits. Terry

Thanks everybody for the feedback. I don't guess it is ever too late for an old horse to learn new tricks. It makes sense, think I will try one. Thanks again, Terry

I have been tooling leather for probably 50 years, only problem I kept the tools in the closet for close to 40 of them, only getting them out when someone would talk me into making something. Last year and a half I discovered I really do enjoying tooling, and have been getting back into, and trying to learn Sheridan style. Sometime during my break, mauls came into popularity. Will somebody please explain to me what a maul is supposed to do better than an old fashioned rawhide mallet. I have got light and medium weight rawhide mallets I got from Tandy's years ago, and I just have not been able to figure out what the maul will do better. Please, somebody explain. If I am missing out on something worthwhile, I don't want to pass something valuable that could help me. Thanks, Terry

Jim, It would appear he is using some sort of wing dividers, and using the outside of the piece as the base line. I have a pair of dividers that will open to approx. 8" Just use the outside edge of the piece, and open the divider to where ever you want the line and scribe. The real art in what Keith Valley is doing is making the cut free hand. I know of no way to guide the swivel knife that distance from the edge. To cut those kinds of lines just takes practice, practice. Good luck Terry

If you will go by the "Sheridan Style Carving" by Bill Gardner and Clinton Faye, there is an excellent, detailed section on the tools, and how to use them. I bought my book at Tandy's. So far, I beleive the bevelers and thumbprints are the most essential, followed by lifters. Hope this helps Terry

The only way I have ever figured out to handle beveler tracks is to go back over the area just beveled and lightly tap the "tracks" themselves. If anyone out there can make a complete pass without any tracks on a single try, has my utmost admiration. If anyone does know how, I wish they would share it with me because I have tried every trick, angle, or gimmick I could come up with. I end up with an extremely smooth bevel line, it just takes more than one pass. Hope this helps. Terry

Tim, If you have an opportunity, get a copy of the "Sheridan Style Carving" book written by Bill Gardner and Clinton Fay. They go into a detailed explanation of the why's and how's of the special tools utilized in this style of tooling. They are masters and you will not believe some of the work shown in this book. It is well worth the price if you are interested in this style.

I'm sure it is possible, I just wouldn't have a clue how to do it. If you are thinking about a dowel for a handle, and I think I would be more inclined to find a hammer handle. Basket weaves and some of the larger stamps take a pretty good wack to look right. Don't think a dowel would last too long. If I remember right, there were some threads on making mallets, you might doing a search in the forums

DaCoda, before you go to all that trouble, I would suggest in investing in a rawhide or poly mallet. As you get into serious work, I think you will find the wooden mallet doesn't have the weight or character to do what needs to be done. Then you get wrap that mallet and have something that would work quite well. Terrymac