Bob Blea

So forgive my ignorance, but I don't know much about splitters. Does a crank splitter make it easier to split pieces over 3" width? Is that why you would choose a crank model versus a pull model?

Welcome Kent, glad to have you here. Feel free to post some pictures, we would love to see what you've done so far.

Thanks, its just a matter of practice! But I do very much appreciate the compliment.

The belt looks very nice.

Check with Bruce Johnson on this forum. He collects, refurbishes and resells all sorts of tools including splitters. He should be able to help you out.

That is very good news. I've talked to him before too and he is a very nice guy. Glad to hear he's doing better!

What a fantastic opportunity! Wish I could do it.

Lonnie Height is the owner of Gomph Hackbarth but he's also the tool maker, and as far as I know he's the sole employee. I had heard he had some health issues but if it's bad enough that he can't make the tools, then they probably aren't going to be available anymore.

Colt, Ray is selling out his shop and retiring from the business. He's listing items in the for sale section.

EngraverGuy, if you go to Barry King's website he has a list of recommended starter tools for making Sheridan style carvings. That set would be a good place to start for this kind of tooling. There is also a book called "Sheridan Style Carving" that goes into great detail about how the tools are used to achieve specific effects. You may find that book to be very useful too. Best of luck, your engraving looks phenomenal. Bob

I use Wyosheen and occasionally I have problems not getting a good resist layer. I take a damp sponge and brush it across my project before applying antique. If I get any discoloration from the water in the sponge then I know I've got gaps in my resist and it gets another coat of Wyosheen. Also, when I apply it now I work in a circular motion and spend more time rubbing the Wyosheen in. It seems to have helped me get better resistance because I'm putting it on a little thicker. At least that is the magical technique I'm using now that seems to be working. Bob

I'm sad to see you go too. I hope you will still stop by and check in from time to time. You are as much a part of this place as anyone, and I would love to keep hearing from you. Bob

Excellent carving and artwork! I really like this, particularly the history for it.

I love this especially because it relies on geometrics so much. That really makes it stand out.

Chrome tan leathers are very hard or near impossible to get to burnish just by their nature. Usually people will roll the edges over so they can't be seen or use edge paint like robs456 was linking to. Oil tan leathers I'm not so sure about. I don't have any experience with them but I don't think they are very good at burnishing either.

I use it too and it works great. Like Ray said it takes very little to get a good result. I use it with a wooden burnisher mounted in a drill press and get good results.

Hello all, The class schedule for the Rocky Mountain Leather Trade show has been posted on the Leather Crafter's and Saddler's Journal website. The dates for the trade show are May 20th-21st-22nd, 2016, with the classes starting on May 16th. You can get class descriptions and other information by going to: www.leathercraftersjournal.com/sheridan2016.html

If it were me (and I'm not a holster maker so take this suggestion with that in mind) I would make a design similar to a Mexican loop holster and attach that holster by sewing it in along the same stitch lines as the carved ornamental piece. I don't like the idea of the gun being in the bag without it being secured to something. So I would take the part of the Mexican loop holster that attaches to the belt (I think the technical term for it is the skirt) and attach that to the bag. The holster part of the Mexican loop holster goes down into that and is secured by belts in the skirt. You could probably find a holster pattern and modify it to work inside this bag.

The rule of thumb I've often seen is to make the inner part of the wallet 1/8 inch shorter than the outside. Also, check out the Patterns and Templates section as I think there are several wallet designs listed there.

Those are all great guys and tools. I've collected many Bob Beard tools over the years and they are definitely worth the price. And I love Jerry Van Amburg. I've got some stingray I bought from him a couple of years ago that I'm going to use for something special someday....

You looked at Barry King's booth and got away with only spending $150.00? I admire your restraint!

I see what you mean about the color variations but I still think the finished product turned out pretty nice. I really like your interior too.

Excellent lettering Chief! It looks really good.

That looks great!

I know a saddle maker who used to teach at a saddle making school. He once told me that he would confiscate any pens he found on his students benches because it only took one pen mark to ruin a project, for just this reason.