THein

Fellow who managed Caledon Leather in Calgary until it's demise told me the Stohlman's had a long, long driveway with a locked gate at the end.

Sorry I didn't have the opportunity to respond to the first post but likely it's a good machine. I bought a strap cutter from Weaver's years back and resembles yours a lot. I'm more than happy with it. Takes some getting used to if you want to split directly from a side. Best bet is to hand cut a wee bit more than you need from the side and then run it through. A little waste but you've no "wonky" straps!

I totally agree, the most important part is when to say no.

I've seen the pattern, had a 65 C10. Can be done but would cost you a boatload of cash.

Few years back a lady wanted me to repair her Bahama bought fake "Gucci" handbag. The straps had separated, (the Beijing glue job sucked). After two and a half hours of regluing and then sewing the straps back together, she was upset that I wanted $50.00 for the job. I guess the $40.00 she paid originally (she told me that) +my $50.00 for putting her bragging rights back together wasn't worth it. Don't know what a real Gucci one's worth but I bet more than 90 clams. Sometimes ours is a thankless job.

Steve, When I'm making a new pattern, to make sure how much to allow for the leather thickness, I will take a strip (or strips) of the leather I plan to use and physically wrap around the object. I then have a good idea of the final dimension. If you intend to line it, allow for that as well. Always add extra to your pattern, for casing shrink, minor fitting problems, etc. A little wasted leather is better than a lot. Terry

Thank you all for the compliments The whole thing made me thankful. Terry

Another nice thing about the situation is, the lady giving the ridings lessons (there are also some others), are organized as "non profit". They're doing it for $0.00.

Awhile back, a lady that gives riding lessons asked me to make something to help a child with a spine disorder to enable her to ride a horse while two people walked alongside to assist her in staying on. This is what I came up with, skirting leather, latigo straps and roller buckles. Made the straps a little long so it'll fit somebody a bit bigger if needed. Handles from the hardware store for the helpers to hang on. I guess she's having a real good time.

Dion, Your leatherwork is excellent. Your knives are also. You should stay with both. Terry

Tex, Check out or post an ad for leather stamps on your local kijiji. Compare those prices to tandy's site. Figure out the best way to go, start doing some tooling, watch and read this site. At some point, you might want to upgrade your stamping tools but that's when you have the jingle and you figure you're ready. I don't know about the draw knife, I'd get an Olfa cutter, or box cutter or whatever you call it, you just need to cut leather and that knife you can buy blades cheap when they get dull. Heck you can even strop them blades till you're tired of it and replace them from the hardware store for pretty cheap. Find the guys that cut marble sinks and beg or trade for a scrap of cultured marble and you've got a good chunk of hard stuff for stamping. Lot's of folks here can go on with better advice, the big thing is, this is something you can start at and carry as far as you want. I got an email earlier today from a fella that's been at it since the 40's,,,1940's. He was happy to help with my question. Best Wishes, Terry www.singletreeleather.com

K, I do this sometimes, not particularly fancy but you might like it. Terry www.singletreeleather.com

Joe, You've got a lot of time in that, not to mention creating the pattern. A close up of the carving would be nice. Did you oil it? I think some type of oil or antique finish would pull out the detail of your work. Thanks for sharing, Terry

Good work, I especially like "El Tejano". I like simple well done items, and that​ is. I should say though, the "Cheyenne Loop" works for me. Again, good. Terry www.singletreeleather.com

As matter of fact,,,, no. Just pics. Actually when I started tooling, I absolutely hated figure carving. I just got forced to step up from customer demand. Thanks to all for the compliments. Terry