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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

I was contacted to make a rifle sling for a lady that is an administrator on a forum dedicated to rim fire rifles. It was intended as a gift for her work and dedication to the forum. The design was worked up in relation to her interests and the area of her residence. I worked up some options for the person who contacted me and this was the result. www.singletreeleather.com

Ok, I'll bite. Saddle leather... The usage of the term must be qualified What little I know about english saddles, they're not made totally from the same leather that western ( meaning north american cowboy ) saddles are. I bought my wife an english saddle years ago. From what I could tell, it was made from a combination of chrome tanned and veg tan leather. The latter being used ( as I believe ) in the stirrup leathers,,,at least, been awhile. Western saddles are usually made from ( depending on the maker and locale ) almost entirely of veg tan leather. All that aside, retailers and catalogue writers take a lot of liberty with their descriptions of things. Adding an adjective here and there can enhance sales!! I don't believe that there is actually on type of leather you can call "saddle leather". Anyone correct me if I'm wrong. I like this definition of veg tan leather here: http://www.lederhaus.de/wissen/lederkunde.php?l=eveg-gerb All the best, and Merry Christmas to all, Terry

Has anyone used Lazy M sheepskin and Weaver's sheepskin? I'm wondering how they compare. It'd be nice to ditch another freight bill, as I get most other supplies from Weaver already. Terry www.singletreeleather.com

The fellow I made these for recently requested another sling. He sent me pictures of the first two I did for him attached to rifles. He builds custom 10-22 rifles from the action up. Here's the "Reaper"

Pretty good Mark. I'd say you've got a good handle on the basics. I'd lose the clip and go with a loop. I've made a lot of cases with loops because people are tired of their phones popping off their belt. Terry www.singletreeleather.com

Seth, Can you back off the stitching behind the bottom center, cut another piece of gusset then skive, cement grain sides together to hide the splice somewhat, sew them together and go on. Sometimes when I'm doing a long gusset I've done this just because of the length I need. Bonehead stuff happens around here more than I'd like to admit. Hope this helps, Terry www.singletreeleather.com

Thanks for the compliments everyone. Terry

Pretty good job for the first set. Might suggest you reverse your rivets when setting. Placing the burr on the inside ( except when it might be against the horse ) gives things a cleaner look.

A couple custom slings I did recently. I was skeptical about the request but after finishing, I thought they were pretty cool. Different, but cool. www.singletreeleather.com

Got this request this morning. Somebody closer than me should do this. 540 area code i believe is western Virginia, Contact this person, not me. Terry www.singletreeleather.com name = michael Rea email = michaelrea509@gmail.com phone = 540-678-0183 comments = I have a 1959 Triumph TR3A with a luggage rack on the rear deck. I would like a pair of leather straps with nickel buckles. Can you make me a pair? If so, please advise and I will providebthevspecifications.

I've had pretty satisfying results with setting a finished piece out in the sun after oiling then antiqueing afte a resist. About six hours in a warm sunlight seems pretty good at this latitude in the summer. This time of year it's doubtful you should be hanging it outside at sub zero temps. and the sun doesn't have any punch to it anyway. I was thinking about options. Sun lamp, indoors or maybe one of those plant grow lights. Wondered about taking stuff to town to a tanning salon. Anybody ever tried something different that worked? Terry

Caledon sales in Calgary Alberta sells leather and tools. 1-800-361-6565