Jim

Yep, that outside radius will bite em every time.

They have leather schools??? NOW they tell me.

That indeed is a "crying" shame. A host of profane syllables come to mind. I reckon it's why my tools are still in the box at the back of the closet. I'm hoping to find a young up and comer to give them to some day. Jim

Look in the Historic Reenactment section. There is a posting for making pouches you will find helpfull. Jim.

Well Sir, first off, get a cloth tape and a helper. Position the bag on the hip at or about where you want it to set when carried. Get your helper to measure from one end of the bag, over the shoulder, and down to the opposite end of the bag. This gives you the overall length. I recommend adding a buckle to the mix to make it adjustable. Jim

If you intend to leave the bag in its present state, and why not; then it won't hurt it. Lexol is great for giving the old leather some badly needed oils thereby restoring it a bit. Jim

Not sure about the beeswax

You have a good thing going with the Lexol. I used it on an 1848 pistol cartridge box and it did wonders. Jim

Oh yeah. The Chicago Screws are plenty strong even for the big dog leash. I would use them instead of speed rivets any day. Jim

FOR SALE - one Swivel Knife. Used Once. . . . . . repeatedly.

Ah, this is the perfect time to tell this story. Late in the last century, I decided to pursue my boyhood love for leather work full time. So, with a hundred dollar bill in my pocket I set off to the local Tandy store. (Actual location shall remain un-named.) I had an idea of what I wanted to do and what I'll need to do it. So I ask the lady there about the various stuff and she points it out to me. (This is where is gets good!) I tell her that I need a good knife for cutting leather, so she hands me this funny looking thing with a curvey metal top over a swivel and a very odd looking cutting edge. I says "This cuts leather?" To which she replied, "It's what the professionals use." Mmmmm -kaaay. Not what I used when I was a kid, but oh well. So, I took it home and laid out a piece of leather to begin cutting a long one inch wide strap with my "professional" leather cutting knife. Well, after about eight passes and no success, I put it to the stone for a better edge. After thirteen more passes and a very bad cut, I threw the SWIVEL knife in a box, went to the hardware store, and bought me an UN-professional knife to cut my leather. You can't make that kind of stuff up! Jim

The curved bottom will be flat once the sides are laced together. Jim

Ah, the suede. Be patient with me. I'm out playing in the oil field right now. I will get back you soon. Jim

Sucking in our gut is a curse all men are born with. Until you get over 50. Then it's just too much trouble. You're welcome, sir. Jim

I made a bag like this once and it's not over your head as much as you think. Your parts are cut and ready. That's the easy part. Now, sew the bag together first then turn it right side out. Now, align one of the top panels with the front of the bag. Tie it on in a few places to keep it in its proper position while you sew it to the bag. Repeat this on the backside of the bag. Once the two top panels are sewn in place, sew the strip in place on both sides. Be sure to have all the stitch holes pre-punched in these pieces before attempting to sew. Holler with questions. Jim

I'm a vet myself, not one of combat though. You might say I served with Uneventful Distinction. That being said, my dad was a DAV of the Second World War. So, you have my respect and admiration. Ah, Dickson, TN. Know it well. That truck stop was one of my favorite stops when I was on the road. Great chicken fried steak! As for leather work, you came to right place. There's more going on here than you can shake a stick at. Welcome aboard. Jim

My only thought is if this feller hunts wild boar with a machete, he's a better man than me! That's a nicely done sheath. Jim

Well, he called it a Sheriffs Model. I just know it was a little bitty bugger. BUT bigger than a screw driver.

Let me tell you a story. Once upon a time, a feller brought me a .32 caliber Colt Sheriffs model. He says "Can you make me holster for this?" I says "Sure thing pardner." Well, I take my tried and true pattern for the Colt Navy and scaled it down. (Didn't measure or nothing,) and said "This'll work. What I wound up with is real fancy screw driver case cuz that's all that would fit in it. The moral to the story: KNOW, don't GUESS! And don't do stupid stuff like me. And now you know.

Bruno, the short answer is NO. Not no but Oh heck no. I have patterns just for the Colt Navy and Army posted at the top of the Gunleather section. Jim

Not snubbed at all pardner. I admire your resolve and willingness to jump in the deep end. I figured this stuff out the same way all by my lonesome. Probably why I don't have anymore hair. You did a great job on the sheath. Nothing wrong with it. Keep up the good work. Jim

I gotta say, there ain't nothing wrong with that. Looks really good. That being said I hate to waist things so I'm posting this anyway. Great job 10fiftyfive! Jim Ax Sheath.pdf

Rivets are a good idea. I'll draw it up with that in mind so you don't have to get a slide rule to figure any allowances. Oh, for those who don't know; a slide rule is what us cavemen used to do math before we had pocket calculators. Jim

I just had a thought. If you will be patient, this weekend I will draw up a tutorial just for an ax sheath and post it here. I'll take it a little different direction to ensure the sheath stays on the ax. How 'bout it? Jim

In the Historical Reenactment section I posted a tutorial on Making Mountain Man Gear. Give it look. It has a section on making ax sheaths you might find very useful. Jim