buzzardbait

I did this one a few years ago, I think the pattern was in a Leathercrafters and Saddlers Journal. Maybe a Christine Stanley pattern.

harness needles are the needles you want. I usually punch holes after I dye the leather, to avoid a darker area where the dye penetrates deeper at the holes. that's a great job for a first project.

my BK thick blade is 1/8 and my thin blade is 1/16

you can find Since leather tools on ETSY

A Rodeo alphabet sold on E-Bay a couple of days ago for $220.00.

Jeremiah Watt has a 3.5 inch knife that is a very well made knife, that holds an edge well . his website is ranch2arena.com.

It is not the Stohlman knife and is stamped made in USA

with granite the darker colors with no veining or large crystals are the strongest. the more veins and crystals= more weak points. the darker the color the more dense and strong the stone is. I have solid black granite on my bench and don't shy away from using my 4 pound maul on it.

anyone have any info on when these were made or the value? The blade is etched "Craftool Company, Professional grade, made in USA.

the tools in the photo are Jeramiah Watt and Weaver tools.

There is lots of information out there on the basic use of a swivel knife. There are only a few basic moves and rules in the proper use of a swivel knife. Skill is the factor that determines the quality of your cuts, and skills are honed to perfection only by practice and repetition. Learn the basics, practice a lot and try to learn from each project to make the next project better. With enough practice and time it will become second nature to you, but it will never happen if you don't put in the work. I have used a swivel knife for 45 years, and I still see room for improvement in my work. Good luck.

Well ?

I hand stitch when I have to otherwise I use my Cobra 4. The Cobra will sew up to 7/8 of an inch thick . I mostly sew wallets, belts and bags and this machine does all well. Needle and thread will depend on what you sew.

Rons makes a great gouge. Makers Leather Supply sells them.

I think these tools are made in Japan. Check out Leather Mob on Etsy.

I have used Eco Flo for years with great results. I seal with Supershene or resolene and have never had the antique bleed through.

The leather itself can also be the problem. over the years i have used lots of leather that will not burnish worth a damn no matter what you do.

Jacksons western store in Asheville, N.C. still has a display full of Craftool Pro stamps. I don't know what they have left but it might be worth the call. I have those lifters they work great.

Welcome, Where in WNC? I am in Clyde, the hub of the universe.

Tiger thread is great for hand sewing, don't use waxed thread in the Cobra machine.

I have a few of his stamping tools, they are top quality.

Those are "Lift The Dot" snaps.

make your cuts one third to one half the thickness of your leather, bevel deeply and mat away from your design with a matting tool or a backgrounder. Figure bevelers are great for this also.

what are the weights of these mallets?

I had the surgery on my right hand 15 years ago and never had a problem since.