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Bob Blea

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Everything posted by Bob Blea

  1. Bob Blea
    Bob, all it takes is some practice and you'll be able to do this too. Thanks for the kind words all!
  2. Bob Blea
    thanks Krittner, this was a very interesting read too. Nice work.
  3. Bob Blea
    Very nice work, and thanks for the details on how you go about it. Turned out great.
  4. Bob Blea
    Thank you guys.
  5. Bob Blea
    Thank you!
  6. Bob Blea
    Thank you all!
  7. Bob Blea
    Thanks very much Rohn. That tool around the picture is called a Geer Braid (named after Chan Geer I believe) and it's made by Barry King.
  8. Bob Blea
    I'm pretty sure that is made by Barry King. If it isn't his he makes one that is very close. http://www.barrykingtools.com/geometrics.htm I think it's the sea shell filler about two thirds of the way down the page. Bob
  9. Bob Blea
    Here's one I finished a few weeks ago. It is a leather notebook designed to hold an 8 1/2 x 11 refillable notepad. The front is a full floral design and the back has an inset pictorial carving of a mountain scene surrounded by basketweave stamping. The outer leather and interior pocket are Herman Oak, with a pigskin lining. The outer edge is laced with Whiskey colored Kangaroo lace from Packer in Australia. I made this as an entry in the World Leather Debut show in Sheridan, WY this year. It didn't place but it did score pretty well and I'm happy with it, though I do see a lot of room for improvement. I made it for my personal use so the customer is satisfied. The notebook was antiqued and in the pictures it looks pretty uneven, but most of that is just not setting up very good lighting when I took the pictures. Overall it came out pretty even color. Thanks, Bob
  10. Bob Blea
    Very impressive! Very nice stitching and the lizard looks great. How did you finish the edges on this one?
  11. Bob Blea
    I think it looks fantastic! I would have put the blue on the outside, but you made your wallet work out. I'm very envious of your stitching.
  12. Bob Blea
    Thanks Bruce, that clears things up. Hadn't even considered the consequences of pushing the leather on soft leather...
  13. 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?
  14. Bob Blea
    Welcome Kent, glad to have you here. Feel free to post some pictures, we would love to see what you've done so far.
  15. Bob Blea
    Thanks, its just a matter of practice! But I do very much appreciate the compliment.
  16. Bob Blea
    The belt looks very nice.
  17. Bob Blea
    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.
  18. Bob Blea
    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!
  19. Bob Blea
    What a fantastic opportunity! Wish I could do it.
  20. Bob Blea
    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.
  21. Bob Blea
    Colt, Ray is selling out his shop and retiring from the business. He's listing items in the for sale section.
  22. Bob Blea
    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
  23. Bob Blea
    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
  24. Bob Blea
    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
  25. Bob Blea
    Excellent carving and artwork! I really like this, particularly the history for it.
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