Ferg

I would recommend this leather to anyone that wishes to work with a great piece of material. The following is identical to my post in "Show Off". I received my order of Single Bends from Tandy Friday. Cut a piece off the corner of the 6/7 oz, cased it, slicked it and carved a design on it today. The design is an old Al Stohlman design that I took a few liberties with. New leather and a new SK-3 swivel knife from Paul. Can I consider that multitasking? As I said before, the leather is beautiful. I am of the opinion that the European tannery includes the belly on this cut. That is where I cut the piece off for this. The belly portion seems to have some stretch marks but nothing like some HO I have. I did not hold the leather under warm water instead I simply ran water over it on both sides. I have wrapped my wet leather in an old terry cloth towel or old T-shirt for years while it is "tempering". Traced the pattern on the leather with the same moisture content as always. The SK-3 is unbelievably sharp, cuts through this leather like butter. I was using a straight 1/4" blade, I will need to get an angle blade from Paul for this kind of work. This leather is very soft, may have something to do with it being "Belly Leather". Takes some getting used to when cutting with the swivel knife. Stamping takes a gentle hand with a 16 oz. maul even after the leather is drying out. Tools with all of the molding tools better than any I have ever used. Clip your finger nails short, they really mark this leather. Don't look too close at the photo I have enclosed. I need some serious practice with the SK-3 and the leather. Any comments or questions welcome. ferg

I am going to place this in this topic and in suppliers also. I received my order of Single Bends from Tandy Friday. Cut a piece off the corner of the 6/7 oz, cased it, slicked it and carved a design on it today. The design is an old Al Stohlman design that I took a few liberties with. New leather and a new SK-3 swivel knife from Paul. Can I consider that multitasking? As I said before, the leather is beautiful. I am of the opinion that the European tannery includes the belly on this cut. That is where I cut the piece off for this. The belly portion seems to have some stretch marks but nothing like some HO I have. I did not hold the leather under warm water instead I simply ran water over it on both sides. I have wrapped my wet leather in an old terry cloth towel or old T-shirt for years while it is "tempering". Traced the pattern on the leather with the same moisture content as always. The SK-3 is unbelievably sharp, cuts through this leather like butter. I was using a straight 1/4" blade, I will need to get an angle blade from Paul for this kind of work. This leather is very soft, may have something to do with it being "Belly Leather". Takes some getting used to when cutting with the swivel knife. Stamping takes a gentle hand with a 16 oz. maul even after the leather is drying out. Tools with all of the molding tools better than any I have ever used. Clip your finger nails short, they really mark this leather. Don't look too close at the photo I have enclosed. I need some serious practice with the SK-3 and the leather. Any comments or questions welcome. ferg

Check the ID plate on the motor, it may be possible to rearrange the wiring to enable 120 volts. Very easy to do BTW. ferg

I seldom do this but this was simply too good to pass up. ferg FW_ Fw_ And all of 2011.pdf

Terry, I got the bends from Tandy today. It is everything they say it is. Haven't carved any yet of course but it is as blemish free as any leather I have ever bought from anyone. Beautiful!! product. I have a club membership, got it for $100.00 each. ferg

Russ, You have to believe they know how I felt about the service. Do you know the old saying, "Tail tucked between their legs" when referring to a puppy that got scolded? That would describe the clerk and manager after my dissertation. I know, you meant for me to call Tandy offices. Have attempted that many years ago and got little to know satisfaction, don't bother anymore. BTW: I bought some good shoulders from Michael. If you haven't been there for awhile you may be surprised by the surrounding stores in that little shopping plaza. ferg

Terry, I may get the single bends I ordered today but more likely Monday. I will post results. BTW: I got them for $100.00 each ferg

I bought the board from Tandy with a 50% off coupon. I used it to punch deco holes in some 3/4 oz the other day. The holes are clean on the back. The board is heavy and about 1 1/2" thick, 12 x 18 inches. Didn't harm the punches at all. This board was made in Germany. ferg

Monty, Enter "Tom Threeperson" in Google. There is quite a lot of info. ferg

I am not bashing Tandy. I have dealt with the Tandy store in Cincinnati since it opened. I believe Michael was the original manager. This past summer Michael either was dismissed or he quit, don't know, don't care. He was replaced by a young lady that I had no prior association with. My wife gave me a Tandy Gift Card for Christmas of a substantial amount. I called one day and ask if I had to be at a store to redeem the card for merchandise. Was told yes, I couldn't redeem it over the phone or the Net Tandy has recently obtained some single bends that are said to be 100% better than the Live Oak Premium which has become pretty bad. Thinking the store in Cincy would have them I didn't call first, drove down to find no Bends and little else leather wise. Ask one of the girls if they had any, she walked away from me and was conversing with her manager. Clerk did not return to me so I went to her again asking the same thing. "No we don't have any, Tandy only had a few of those and most of the stores never got any." I looked through the leather they had and concluded there was nothing there that I would take home if it was free. Manager approached me at that moment and ask what I was looking for, DUH! Explained again. "No, we don't have much leather in the store because of inventory, Tandy won't let us order yet." Ask if I seen anything I wanted, told her there simply wasn't anything worth taking home. When I got home I called the store in Columbus, OH which is probably about the same distance from me. Asked if they had the single bends. They have an ample supply of all thicknesses. I ordered two. BTW: There are three sets of numbers on the back of the card, you can indeed use it on the net or over telephone. ferg

Stainless Steel ferg

Eric, If fifty folks answer you there will likely be fifty different methods. This is what I do and it works for me. Do all your carving and stamping, oil, allow to dry overnight, dye, allow to dry overnight, apply finish( I like Neat-Lac), allow to dry, burnish the edges, dye edges, and stitch. ferg

Several people have been interested in availability of Shell Cordovan leather, Horse Hide. This video is very interesting and will give everyone a look "Inside" the Tannery in Chicago. Enjoy: ferg

Seigle has the Cordovan shell listed on their website if that is what you are looking for. They also have horse hide butts, the quality isn't fantastic on these. Be prepared to pay close to $150.00 for each 1 1/2 to 2 sq ft shell in Cordovan. I used Cordovan shells years ago. Cannot carve it, some of the most beautiful leather I have ever used. ferg

Bobby, I love those puffed flower centers Excellent job as always. Do you see any problem with 7/8 oz lined with 3/4 oz "finger carved" ? ferg

Yep, you fixed it You wanted a critique...... If you are going to do that much carving and stamping on your leather piece that will be inserted into another unit, You need to cut the leather oversize, do your cutting and stamping and then cut to exact size of opening. Your woodwork is a little rough which makes it very difficult to make the leather insert fit properly. Use a piece of tracing film/vellum to trace the outline of your recess in the wood. Transfer that to your leather, you will have much better luck. ferg

Welcome Jeff. You will find a friendly and helpful bunch on this forum so dive in. BTW: I am sure you are aware that you live in one of the most beautiful places on this great earth. ferg

It is difficult to peruse your work when the image is so large. I assume you are using a digital camera. Some free software is available to downsize your photos. ferg

I understand where you are coming from, I was talking about patterns not holsters. ferg

I done this with fairly good results but I agree with particle, buy a professionally made awl and handle, they are many times worth the money. ferg

I assume you are not clamping your leather piece in a stitching horse or similar? Did you glue the two pieces of leather together first? Barge cement works best. You need to stroke a strop embedded with jewelers rouge with your awl, all three sides of the diamond. If you hold the awl level your stitches will line up from one side to the other. Sounds like you need to practice on some scrap. Practice is always a good thing ferg

Help your self. Seventy five dollars is a lot of money for those patterns. ferg

How many actual patterns are in the pack? ferg

When you applique you need to sand the edges of the pieces with 220 grit sandpaper (we use nothing but cloth backed sanding medium), and burnish those edges. I know, it is tedious, but that will make your pieces look better plus they won't have any "fuzz" on the edges ferg