r lenna

You can oil any time. I oil just after I finish tooling. Then I oil again before I dye. I use a pro oil dye. I will not dye before the leathers dry. That will cause uneven dyed places in the leather. If you're using a water based dye you need to wait till the oil has a chance to soak in, or wait to oil till after you dye.

Have you tried sanding and then saddle soap? or best yet read this http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=18101

If you are looking for something a little less $$. Springfield leather carries all kinds of stuff

I like Panhandle Leather. I've never had anything bad from there. They have HO for $160 a side. Wicket and Craig is tough to cut with a swivel knife.

It's all very nice. I think it is some of the best looking bags and wallets I've seen in quite a while here. It's top notch

Those are both very nice. If you're planning to use them I would get some brewers pitch, or they will get a little soggy.

I like it, It really looks like a saddle. I think you did a really great job on that. The only problem I see are that the edges of the saddle look a little raw. If it was me I would rub a little antique into the edges, or dye. I think it would improve the look a lot. I'm a nit picker, but I found out that if you leave one little thing undone. The customer will start looking for others.

The outside will be hard enough to do for some one just starting out. The insides will be pretty difficult. I make my own patterns. Just look at wallets online that you like and take it from there. Or you can buy inserts. Springfield Leather has quite a few to pick from. You will have to decide what you're up for. Here are some of the inserts they do http://springfieldleather.com/31/Chaylor-Fenneli-Interiors/ There is a very good tutorial here for making your own here http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=9940 As for books, there's enough info right here to get you started. For sewing check this out http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=12259 For the spacing of the stitches you can get a overstitch wheel and an awl. What I would start with is an diamond chisel. I use something like that. I use it just to mark the holes It will give you proper spaceing and angle. Or you can use just that or a diamond or stitching awl and overstitch, a groover, and an edger, and some OO harness will get you started. I would try http://springfieldleather.com/14/Hand-Tools/ for your tools. They are less expensive and the tools are better

I would suggest that you try out Springfield Leather http://springfieldleather.com/17/Leathers/ the selection is larger and less $$$

start at the bottom hole from the inside # 1. go to the next hole up on the other side. this is on the back of the stitching now. go straight across to the other side go the hole go across and up one hole. when you get to the top you turn around and go back down. if you want to have the straight part just go across from 7 to 6 . then go back to 7 and down to 8. 6 7 8 5 4 9 10 3 2 11 12 1

Very nice job, I'm sure that she will love it.

You can get the best. That would be the douglas http://www.sheridanleather.com/Awl_Blades_p/dt-awl-blades.htm. That's about $30 just for the blade. I would get the handle at Springfield leatherhttp://springfieldleather.com/24633/Awl%2CHaft%2CStitching%2C%23145/. At Sheridan the handle will run $75. I think that is a little much for a handle. I have a Osbourne awl http://springfieldleather.com/24641/Blade%2CStabbing-Awl-Eye%2C3-3-4%22/ that might need a little sharpening, but It's only $8 and it will get the job done.

That's very nice. Did you use a pattern or make it your self? How much did you have to allow for the lining. They look very warm. I know I'd love to have a pair myself. Very pretty and thanks for showing them. Rob

I love everything except the color. No I think it's cool. I've used lots of recycled leather in my projects. Jackets to old breif cases. It's lots better than throwing it away. Maybe except for that jacket... Rob

All your work is very nice. You're molding is nice, and so is your stitching. The edge burnishing on the pieces I can see all look expertly done. It looks like the carving of the leaves on the knife sheath was done when the leather too wet. Of the leaves on the belt I can't tell forr sure. With the thickness of the leather you are using you could get the look of more depth, and cleaner looking edges. The tool marks around the skulls should be a little smoother. The beveler should be walked and the individual tool marks should all blend together. Keep up the good work and thank you for posting. Rob