EricDobson

Definitely impressive for a first project. I'm sure it took a lot of patience to get that kind of quality the first time around. Laura: I'm sure you'll find one if you stick with it. If you keep posting to the board with your questions and pictures of your work, and stay motivated, you'll prove your dedication to people here who can probably connect you with a mentor at some point.

I can see a market here for any wood-crafters out there: end grain punching boards.

I did a search and found some cautery pens, in the price range & battery size mentioned, but they all seem to be advertised as single use. Do you know if there are some that aren't? Or is that just what they say and you can use them indefinitely with this light use?

Alright you convinced me. I'm just getting started with basic stitching in the next couple weeks. I'll give all these methods a try and see how it goes. I can definitely imagine the benefits to soldering. I like the idea that you're not adding a substance, or gluing it together, or coating it, but just melting the thread itself so there's nothing to come apart or undone. I'm not saying the other methods do come apart if done well... I just like the idea of this better. I'll have to see how it actually works out.

I'll be ordering a head knife in a week or two. I've had a great time keeping my knives sharp using an Edge Pro. I'm really hoping I can find a way to use it with a head knife. That system can give you results as sharp as you want with about 10 minutes practice. We'll see how it goes.

Also, is this type of soldering iron basically instant-on, or does it need to be kept warmed up somehow?

Nice work. I love the shape of that blade and the details in your design are excellent. I'm sure the gift will be greatly appreciated.

Being stationed in Italy I've gone through a great many corks. Now I have a reason to start keeping them...

Here's part 1/3 of a series from particle. He uses a round knife to cut out the holster pattern. It shows how you can get surprisingly small curves and details using such a big knife.

Welcome Kayla! I also play a bit of music, and have heard some pretty incredible bluegrass guitar players. It's amazing to hear someone who's mastered the style. It'd be great if you could post some examples of the work you've already done. Are there any particular areas you're hoping to learn more about?

Nice. That strap cutter looks pretty awesome too... of course I had to send for the DVD so I can watch 2.5 hours of uninterrupted tool porn.

I like the style. What kind of time did you spend on the tooling?

The soldering iron sounds like a great idea. Did a quick search and there seem to be some reasonably priced options, plus they seem to get 2-3 hours on one butane cartridge so I imagine you can finish a LOT of stitches on one fill. So doing this you never have issues with a sharp point sticking out?

Sounds about right Doc. It definitely seems like trying to follow the curve caused most of the alignment problems, and something definitely needs to be added around the rivets. I was going to comment that he could've stamped the weave pattern over the whole thing before cutting the snap holes, so it went seamlessly behind it... which is what I'd probably try, but as he said, the stamping was an afterthought on this project so, maybe next time.

Hi Amanda, Welcome from another absolute beginner! I hope as you get started you'll post some pictures of your first work here, even if it's just stitching scraps. While it's inspiring to see all the amazing work posted here, I think it'll be helpful for those of us just getting started to post about those painful first steps, when you wonder if it's ever going to get better. A couple days ago I ordered some of the Stohlman books recommended here, the hand sewing one, the cases series, and also one that was recommended elsewhere as a necessity, Leathercraft Tools: How To Use Them, How To Sharpen Them. Have a few more days 'til they arrive and then I'll start ordering tools and leather. Can't wait! I look forward to hearing about how things are going as you get started.

Also, what was he doing his cutting on? Just a poly cutting board? That's what it looked like but then it seemed like the tool to make his thread holes (still learning the jargon) was getting punched down into the board, so it seems like it much be made of something else.

Anyone more experienced want to comment on the quality of his stitching? From further away it looked pretty rough in places but the close up as he was tying it off looked pretty good. But I wondered if it's common to leave the groove channel un-dyed, so in places there is the natural color around the threading that really seems to stand out against the black. Not sure how I like that, since the red thread seems to stand out enough on its own. Either way, I really enjoyed watching it and seeing someone work, and comparing what he's doing to everything I've read so far... can't wait for my supplies to arrive so I can get started!

I don't have any tips as I'm even more of a beginner than you. Just wanted to say I think you're doing well and keep at it! I imagine you have to apply whatever the leather equivalent of "measure twice, cut once" is. If you take your time and exercise patience, the more you practice I'm sure you'll have a feel for whether or not your next move is the right one. I look forward to seeing the results when you finish the front!

Wow! Perfection. As great as they both are, I really like the design of the longer one, the way the stitching curves back half way and the tooling wraps around... the curves of the top... just perfect.

Viewing this is a healthy reminder that art is for its own sake... or at least it had better be, because there's always someone better at it than you, and probably a lot better. Just keep practicing. Practice is the work and the reward.

Good tip joet, I checked it out and ordered my subscription to the Journal... looking forward to the first issue arriving!

Or around town if you just feel like dressing up your open carry.

This one is getting bookmarked! Like pretty much everyone I've got an old Dremel lying around. Great idea and you put it together really well, very clean. Looks good!

Wow that's some pricey lace! I can see how that'd be a good place to save if people aren't specifically requesting it.

I'm wondering, from those of you who have been in the leather business for a while, what do you think is the most under-served market for a new leather worker to get into? I have some specific areas I'm interested in but for the most part it's wide open and I'd be happy to consider specializing in whatever markets have the best opportunity. So what do you think might be good items to start with as a beginner to make small sales while building experience, and what areas have the best opportunity for the long run as a pro?