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Everything posted by Bob Blea
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Hello and welcome to the forum! Tandy Leather does have stores or outlets in the UK and they do sell belt blanks. They are also available via eBay and Etsy. If you can find a vendor on there that is in the UK that would save you on shipping. Good luck! Bob
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Meanea Scabbard
Bob Blea replied to Brushpopper's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
That looks fantastic! I think you nailed the style. I enjoy studying the old time carving styles. -
Refillable Leather Book / Journal Tutorial (Loads Of Pictures)
Bob Blea replied to MagiKelly's topic in How Do I Do That?
Your tutorial is very thorough but two things jumped out at me. 1) The way you gouged the folds on the grain side of the leather will really weaken it. Much of the strength of the leather is on the grain surface and by gouging out that surface to make your folds you are left with a suede like surface that may have pretty loose fibers to hold it together. Eventually the remaining leather will stretch and/or tear with use. You could get the same effect by gouging out the flesh side and have a much stronger spine. 2) About the only reason I can see that you aren't seeing a difference between using your swivel knife on dry and wet leather is that your knife isn't sharp. Using a sharpened knife on cased leather feels about the same as pulling a butter knife through butter. Those are just my opinions, take them for what they are worth. The tutorial itself looks fantastic and you obviously put a lot of effort into it. Bob -
Post It Notes From The Edge.....of Sheridan
Bob Blea replied to DoubleC's topic in Leatherwork Conversation
Cheryl, sorry I didn't run into you in Sheridan but as you saw, there were a lot of people there and lots going on. Way too much to catch it all. Sounds like you pretty much has a nightmare getting there, and I hoping it goes much better getting home. -
What Small Change(S) Helped Improve Your Leatherwork?
Bob Blea replied to DavidL's topic in Leatherwork Conversation
When carving leather quality bevelers are worth every penny. If you are starting off and want to improve you carving ability that should be one of the first things you look at. -
Punching Surface: Rubber Vs Marble Vs Granite
Bob Blea replied to Aerie53's topic in How Do I Do That?
Welcome to the forum! Ditto to what electrathon said, but you could also back your project with a piece of scrap leather and a piece of wood. Originally this was how I did it but now I just do the same as electrathon. -
Suede Lined Double Gusset Briefcase
Bob Blea replied to MudBugWill's topic in Satchels, Luggage and Briefcases
Thank you for sharing. It's very interesting watching this come together, and it looks like your doing a good job. I really like you stitching. -
It looks great! It came out with a really nice vintage look.
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I generally work only one item at a time. I do pre-cut blanks for my notebooks and sometimes I premake a few pocket flaps or interior linings, but when it comes time to carve something, that gets my full attention until it is completed. I am only part time at this so I don't have enough free time to carve a cover in one sitting, so it will happen over multiple days with the project going into the refrigerator between sessions to discourage mold. When there is spare time in a project, such as drying time, I might work on something else like making spare liners or preparing wallet pockets.
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Thank you for sharing this. It is amazing to watch you construct one of these products.
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Can't wait to see the results. Sounds promising.
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Trinity Knot Notebook
Bob Blea replied to Bob Blea's topic in Purses, Wallets, Belts and Miscellaneous Pocket Items
Thanks all!- 19 replies
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First Belt
Bob Blea replied to Bob Blea's topic in Purses, Wallets, Belts and Miscellaneous Pocket Items
Yes, I thought that would make a nice hatband too. The geometric is a Wayne Jueschke stamp and I think he makes that particular one in a smaller version, but he definitely makes other designs in the smaller version. -
Really awesome! One of these days I want to try making something like this.
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First Belt
Bob Blea replied to Bob Blea's topic in Purses, Wallets, Belts and Miscellaneous Pocket Items
I started a floral one a long time ago, but I was working on a small table and the long length was awkward and a bit frustrating, so I never finished it. Now I have a real bench to work on, plus I'm about a hundred times more skilled than I was back then. Think I need to make myself a belt too. -
Tommykay, you have probably opened a Pandora's box to a very odd and rewarding addiction. My recommendation to you would be to make your wife a nice wallet, purse or belt, something she will be proud of and use. She will feel much better about your hobby then. Welcome to the club! Bob
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I presented this to my wife yesterday. We've had the silver and turquoise conchos and buckle for a while but the original belt had rotted away and they were now on a plan leather strap. I finally made something specifically for the conchos. I played with my geometric stamps until I found a combination that worked well with the conchos. This belt is just 3/4 inch wide so the design needed to be narrow. And to top it all of this is the first belt I've ever made. Not thrilled with the finish but it's OK for a first attempt. Let me know any critiques or suggestions. Bob
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Hi Avion, I think you will need some sort of tool to skive with, maybe only a safety skiver from Tandy. You will also need something to filigree the leather. I just use a inexpensive set of wood carving chisels I got at either Hobby Lobby or Michaels. They are fairly sharp and do a good job cutting out small areas and nice tight corners, better than I can do with an Xacto knife or scalpel. Also, you will probably need to sew the layers of the belt together, so maybe a good sewing awl or sewing machine that can handle leather. hope this helps. Others on here with more experience will probably have other suggestions. Bob
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Contact Cement My Nemesis - Dear Lord Someone Help Me!
Bob Blea replied to Windrider30's topic in How Do I Do That?
Unfortunately contact cement makes a really good resist, and (depending on the type) the solvents can really penetrate the leather. There may not be much you can do to remove it. Any chance you can hide that spot somehow? -
New Holsters For Alaskin
Bob Blea replied to goodfella's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
I was wondering the same thing.... -
Trinity Knot Notebook
Bob Blea replied to Bob Blea's topic in Purses, Wallets, Belts and Miscellaneous Pocket Items
Odin, the inside of the notebook is lined with pig skin. The pocket is a 3 oz vegtan. One other note regarding the lacquer, I've heard of people using what they called a 'brush lacquer' made for wood on their leather. Apparently it works as well as the 'lac' products we traditionally use on leather, and it may be the same thing. I'm told the product that was sold as Neat Lac and is now sold as Clear Lac or Wyosheen is really a lacquer that is made for some other use. It may be originally intended for sealing wood. Definitely try anything you find on some scrap first and make sure it works. Bob- 19 replies
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Trinity Knot Notebook
Bob Blea replied to Bob Blea's topic in Purses, Wallets, Belts and Miscellaneous Pocket Items
I've used Super Shene and it takes multiple coats to get a good resistance built up.- 19 replies
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Trinity Knot Notebook
Bob Blea replied to Bob Blea's topic in Purses, Wallets, Belts and Miscellaneous Pocket Items
Thanks Odin! I first apply a thin coat of Neatsfoot oil, which darkens the leather slightly. I then apply Wyosheen (it's the same as Neat Lac or Clear Lac) over the undyed leather as a resist, then I applied Eco-Flo Saddle Tan. The leather still absorbs a little of the color but the bargrounded areas pick up a lot to give it contrast. I then faded the bargrounding into the rest of the area that was matted with a pebble matter. Does that make sense?- 19 replies
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Trinity Knot Notebook
Bob Blea replied to Bob Blea's topic in Purses, Wallets, Belts and Miscellaneous Pocket Items
Thank all! I do like how this one turned out. The stamping down the spine was to cover a flaw in the leather. There was a small insect bite in the hide that caused a blemish that would have shown up when antiquing. I cut the leather so the mark would end up on the spine and then stamped it so you couldn't see it. Might have to try it on more notebooks though as it turned out nice.- 19 replies
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Here's something I finished recently. I've made the Trinity knot design before but not with the knot design in the corners. I like this corner design, it seems to go well with the knot in the center. Any comments or feedback is welcome. Bob
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