JLSleather

exactly why i never use it. Looks like what's left behind after the rain puddles dry up. I've seen some that weren't as bad as others, but I've never seen one I actually liked. In fact, I've seen some very good tooling basically RUINED by the use of ant-streak

Looks and sounds like you have a pretty good grasp on what's happening -- making good progress and seeing YOURSELF where there's room for improvement. And there IS improvement, looking "smoother". Two points to consider for the future that may be helpful - not just for you but everybody: I don't like the design so much, in teh way it ends. Repeating that pattern - as many belts do - would leave a MONSTER background area to the right of the flower, that I would prob'ly alter. and, for those who love to preach "custom" work and "handmade" and "one at a time" and "by hand" and "no machine"... ask them for one with the design reversed. You'll often find they aren't as "custom" as they claimed. For instance, A guy who makes this "by hand', "one at a time", with "no machines", ... SHOULD HAVE no trouble at all making this the same way - by hand, one at a time, no machines. No more or no less custom this way, right?

I might have misunderstood -- I thought you were talking about cutting out the SHAPE. That would require a "clicker" die, or what some the old folks might have called a "cookie cutter". Like this... These were made to quickly cut out parts for magazine pouches (gun clips). What you describe would be smaller than these, but same idea. With the type of press you have, set the leather in place, then set the die on top of the leather, then a metal plate OVER the die for the ram to come down on to press it down. Note you should have a cutting board under the leather to protect the die cutting edge.

OH --- IF I was purchasing a die for this, I'd be thinking EFFICIENCY. So I'd likely spend a few bucks more to have it made with the SHIELD ON BOTH ENDS. Stohlman shows that in the book, so no point going down that again, but this way you could use it with the shield both ends (over a ring or buckle) or simply trim one end if you want the "tab".

You can get a die made for not much more than the price of one of those handle punches. Now, if you don't have a press, probably not worth it, since the price of the press spoils the deal if you aren't needing one anyway. Like them boys that buy burnishers for a dremel, then go buy a dremel! Got a design in mind? Send a pattern to Sandy, ask her what she thinks (if you email it, you probably get a cost and time frame same day). Very knowledgeable (and great sense of humor). http://intdieco.com/index.html Ph: (800)856-0834 or (706)754-0921 Fax: (706)754-0922 Email: intdieco@windstream.net

Do we have a pic of how this purse looks 6 years later?

Those are great books to have - more for the PRINCIPLES than the actual projects. 50 years of experience in those. I designed those coast guard charge books with info entirely from that series.

Exactly. And ya know what's wrong with Patty Loveless? NUTHIN.

Go ahead.. all you folks so determined to check a video... tell me that isn't SEVEN FLAVORS of candy rot cheer... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVL4mDFX3rY

11 ounce garland rawhide mallet

I ain't madeno nuthin' fer the TLR lights... my nose goes in the air pretty quick when I see those. There was a kid round here did one looked good not so long ago... think the boy was in SD? Glock with TLR.. looked well done. Searching... Nope, turns out that was a different model with different light, so really no telling what I was thinking But sweet pea apparently did something along that same line... pictures removed, and I'm not sure what he charges for information. http://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/39502-avenger-with-rail-mounted-light/?tab=comments#comment-245420

One more This will show how much difference you can get using the same design, same basic tools, just by putting the "BOP" in the wrong place. Somebody sent me this pic of a purse strap (bottom) and wanted another set made. Note how the tooling was "bopped" DOWN where it should have been UP, and the difference that makes. At their request, I used the same tools - with the exception of adding the "stop" tool to the ends of the stems.

Well, that's why I uploaded the pic of the flower on my holster... I don't have the EXACT pattern you used - guess I could go download it but not today or tomorrow. I'll see can I find another example...

More evidence that Simmons is a better marketer than he ever was a musician. AS for holsters, this CAN be done, but this is the type of situation where the owner should be deciding if it's a conversation piece to be put on a shelf, or should it be carried and used - in which case this is the type of thing making the case for kydex.

Yup. You can use the same shader tool you used on the rest of the leaf ... or for efficiency - turn it SIDEWAYS and walk away from the line, getting lighter as you go away (down). As for the vein tools, I've always thought less is more -- let the leather show. So I usually use LESS marks, spaced further apart. This is a 'each 'is own' deal, though. Long as I'm doing all that talking, might do the backgrounding on teh blue areas

Definitely looking better. DO fill in the bare spots in teh scrolls -- it's important to the over all look. Also tool the broad leaf (right side) to give some depth to the leaf, so it looks like a FOLD, not a LINE. And DO spend the money for good leather. You can't learn RIGHT using low grade leather.

I don't think there was much to be gained from "how to carve leather" (even stohlman admitted some of his early work could use some work). The other three have some great stuff, though. In the end, if you want to get good at carving leather, the main thing to have is ... leather. I'm not kidding - I've seen more than one person get so busy buying tools 'n' such they didn't have money to buy decent leather! Definitely check estate sales and the like -- I had one guy show up, saw my tool rack and said "I didn' t know you use those! We threw out about 100 of em cuz we didn't know anybody used em." Biggest thing is to use QUALITY leather. Folks talk about saving money (which is never a BAD idea), but the cost difference to move up to the good stuff from the not-so-much is only about $20-30 per side. I personally started out making belts. Money saving not the reason, but it worked out well -- since GOOD leather today for a belt is about $12-15 each, so when you booger one (you likely will) then you aren't out much. Other hand, a wallet carving back is even less money, so maybe there's that (remember, you have to also buy a LINER, though).

Too heavy for my taste -- but should come in handy if'n a feller ever gotta pull a steer outda mud of git 'is truck down in some soft sand! I'd needa bringa young fella help me tote it I think yer right.. should be around a L O N G time!

I have NO answer for what somebody else should charge for their stuff - not my business, not my thing. But I will say that's a nice lookin' holster rot cheer... I like the stitch line a bit closer to the edge, especially at the top, but that does look good.

Mixture of interest, need, and contempt. I needed a weight lifting belt that boys at the gym could understand is not community property. I saw a guy making those belts, and it looked like it would work (though, he wasn't very good - just the only one around). And when I set up buying one, it turned into a zoo --- took a lot longer than he said, and I got tired of the excuses. When he suggested that he was the only guy around, so it was his way, I told him just keep that money, but I'll make my own. I ruined a couple of complete hides finding out how to tool at all. I bought books, tools, threads, punches, dyes & finishes, all manner of things I certainly didn't need to make a simple wide belt like that guy was making. I ruined some getting used to a swivel knife. I ruined some that were "mooshed" due to tooling way too wet. I ruined some not knowing what to expect applying leather dye - turned out not like paint really. I learned there really IS such a thing as too much neatsfoot on a belt. But I managed to get two weightlifting belts - one for my buddy - and a "jeans belt' for myself (which was certainly not beautiful). That was a good bit ago...

Lookin' good, Kid - I like it. Great color, and the contrasting stitch is a nice touch.

sounds steep, but haven't seen it yet, so ???

Also have an "E" which cuts holster front and back for Sig 320 full size and compact, and an "F" which cuts front and back panels for Glock 17, 19, 22, 23, 31, 32. These are not '50/50' holsters- the front panel is wider than the back on all sets. No point to contact this weekend, I am unplugged until at least Mon. Bargain hunters should perhaps shop elsewhere. In fact, to keep it simple, let's just say that ALL sets are $150 for the pair, shipping included.

You're probably right, but I'm not actually sure just what it was you said HO does same thing .. they have "tooling" and they have "holster" and it's not real clear just what is the difference. But yes, the oak would likely be closer. I actually buy the natural BECAUSE of its light color.