abn

Willie-Joe, thanks for the introduction. Make yourself at home!

I always enjoy seeing your stuff, Higgy. Keep up the good work!

I'm not a holster-maker, nor do I care to try, but I've been following this thread with interest nonetheless. A side question: what if you make the holster and give it to someone? Same liability, even if you don't profit?

Nice design. It's always better to take the extra time to make a wallet functional and comfortable. Making a "brick" is easy!

It takes some practice to get used to any type of dye. I rarely "cut" any of the Eco-Flo dyes since they're available in 16 different shades. Look for the color that's closest to what you want to achieve, and then you can experiment from there. To slightly alter your color, you can mix two dyes together (for example, adding Dark Mahogany to a brown dye gives you a more reddish tone). You can condition the finished product with neatsfoot oil to darken the color. You can also try applying the dye to damp leather for a lighter color. Always add several light coats until you get to your desired color. You can apply with woolen daubers, an airbrush, or T-shirt scraps. The idea here is not to give up... Keep playing around and you'll figure out what works for you. In the end, if you decide Eco-Flo is not for you (and some people do), Tandy stocks a full complement of Fiebing's spirit-based leather dyes. But again, there's a learning curve. Good luck!

We're glad you found us!

That's Grade-A work all the way around. Congrats!

Infinity Stamps will make you one that'll last forever. They're not cheap, but you get what you pay for. Here's their website: http://www.infinitystamps.com/leather_stamps.html

Very nice. Is there a belt loop on the back? If so, I'd love to see a picture of it...

I've found that white thread, if pulled tightly, becomes transparent or gray in color. This is a good indicator I'm pulling my hand-stitching too tight. I'm not a sewing machine user, but I wonder if your problem relates to your tension setting? I'll let other more knowledgeable members chime in now...

Randy, that's great information. Thanks for reposting. FWIW, I've tried the sandpaper method Art mentions with good results. I think I used 320 or 400 grit.

Outstanding job. I love the color and the attention to detail in construction.

Mollard, I might add that different products may require different finishes. For example, Satin Shene works fine for me since I build belts and wallets that aren't exposed too much to the elements. However, if I were building outdoor-type gear, I might choose a different finish. Once you decide what you're focusing on -- whether it's motorcycle seats or messenger bags -- find someone on this forum that builds that type of item. Ask him/her what they use to condition and finish their pieces. Odds are that an experienced leatherworker who creates the same type of items you want to build will have time-proven preferences regarding leather finishing. Good luck!

Mollard, I'm glad you decided to repost your question. Since no one has chimed in yet, I'll attempt an answer. First, it's important to keep in mind that leather is a natural material that will break down over time -- regardless of how well you protect and take care of it. There are certainly many products on the market that can extend the life of leather, but you'll find there's no definitive "best product" out there. I personally use Satin Shene, an acrylic topcoat, on my items mainly because it plays well with Eco-Flo dyes and provides a measure of water resistance. There are others who will swear by other products, like Montana Pitch Blend, Picard's, etc. I'd very highly recommend purchasing small quantities of each and trying them out to see which one works best for you. You can apply them to leather samples, and then expose them to the elements, etc. I know that many here on this forum rarely build items for themselves, but I believe it's good to carry and use the stuff you make on a daily basis. That way, you can see first-hand how it functions and wears over time. I know this isn't the answer you were looking for, but I hope you're able to use this information to help make an educated decision on leather finishes. Regards, -Alex

Super nice -- I love the color and the design. And I think you made the right call by including the retaining strap.

Nice work!

Absolutely superb!

We're glad you found us!

H.T., keep in mind you're probably your own worst critic (we all are), and I doubt your work is as "crappy" as you may think. Regardless, it'll take time to reach a level of satisfaction with your work... I think it took me about three or four years of continual improvement before I was producing items I liked. Much of that time was spent figuring out which materials and techniques worked best for me. Stick with it, and post some pics when ready! -Alex

Nicely done. Congrats!

Congratulations! I really like the sleek, modern design. Plus, the pastel colors complement the overall look.

Freak, the feeling is mutual, my man. Now it's your turn to post something! After the wasteland welding helmet and the bulldog binder, I can't wait to see what turns up next. And before I forget, I thought the pink coffee wrap you did with the white antique was off the hook. It definitely had a strong American folk art vibe to it, which I loved. Now, to your questions: (1) Satin Shene, and (2) Leftovers.

Those are the best-looking belts I've seen in a while. Congrats!

Nice job. Looks good!

Thanks! It's hand-stitched. I actually enjoy the stitching process, but it definitely limits the size of what I'm willing to make. I wouldn't want to hand-stitch a belt or a satchel...