Tree Reaper

http://www.robertbeardtools.com/ $120.00

Thank you LN! A guy has to start somewhere!

I decided to make it "stand alone" without any border, I think it looks better as a fridge magnet.

You have some nice detail in those Tina. I didn't secure the back of the leather so there was a little stretch in the leather, I might still stitch the border to dress it up a bit. Getting use to using the swivel knife, this leather was maybe 2-3 oz., heavier would probably be better. Thanks for the comments. Kevin.

Be sure to add a leak proof cap they can snap on the bottle or they'll smell like beer!

http://www.flexco.co...CFQPsKgodfHUe0g

I'm still waiting for my stamping tools to arrive but took a few minutes to experiment with a simple carving and a little painting that I hadn't done before. I plan on putting this on a fridge magnet for holding notes.

Another option would be to take it to a knife sharpener that uses a buffing wheel. Once they get an edge on it you should be able to keep it sharp yourself. They might run it on the corner of the wheel to get in the groove or have another option. That's what they do, it's their profession so that might be a good place to start. Just tell them what you want.

I don't know Ellen; I'm new to this myself. You can get rubbing compound in different grades at automotive stores. I've seen different colours of jewelers rouge so I assume they are different. Gun repair suppliers stock the polishing cakes for different metal also. I found this ... http://www.schaffnermfg.com/jewelers-rouge.html

I wouldn't use dowl or a file shape because it is bound to change the cutting surface to match the shape of the dowl or file. My best guess is to use strips of leather with various grades of rubbing compound or rouge. Fine to finish and coarse to take more metal. The leather strips should be cut to match the width of the cutting edge on the tool. Leather is soft and will mold to the shape of the cutting groove. I sharpen this tool on the edge of this leather strip. Kevin.

Ok, I put the jewelers rouge on the leather and it did a fine job of polishing it but I'm not certain how to apply the rouge. Should the leather be wet, is the rouge rubbed on the leather as is or is something else done to soften the rouge? The rouge is building up in ridges on the leather which can't be good for the knife edge. The knife is cutting much better and actually swivels in the leather now.

Yes it is, you got me going again!

particle What thread would that be in the stitching? thanks. Kevin.

Gum will become liquid again once it gets beyond the temperature it became a solid at. If you heated it up then allowed it to cool it might work. If you could heat it then add the wax and allowed it to cool it might be what you're looking for.

Any problem with the spoons breaking when bending? If using scrap steel should it be heated up to bend? I could use scrap steel, cover it in suede then bend it if it isn't prone to breaking without heating first. Kevin.

Pine gum would be brutal to work with around leather, I get it on my climbing ropes and gear on pine removals and it's a mess. Even if it's just on the thread, by the time you're done I'm sure it would be everywhere. Kevin

Hello John; That pattern is from Al Stohlmams "How To Make Holsters" 1953. http://www.amazon.co...n/dp/1892214989 I've made a couple of those with holsters and a couple of more for guys that wanted them to hold a beer bottle.

That's what I thought too but it worked and the pattern appeared deeper with every pass. If I recall he was using a straight edge.

I'd like to help you out but I'm not sure which pattern that is. This is the only one I have. Kevin.

That's a nice belt ferg, looks like you have a handle on using that sewing machine.

Ok, I'll give that a whirl on Monday. Thanks Deb. Kevin.

I saw a video of someone using that tool and they went back and forth with the tool over and over without lifting it off the leather to get a good impression.

Well my stropping block is ready for the jewelers rouge, I put a fine strip off to the side to sharpen my edger. I hope this improves my carving somewhat.

Is there a smaller clip available for an eye glass case for a shirt pocket? All I've seen are the belt clips, the smaller belt clips might work but they are a tad wide in the opening near the top end. Thanks. Kevin.

I think you did a good job with that, looks good. I've always had a problem getting the thread hole on the bottom in the proper place with thick laminated leather. I come in from both sides with the awl but the holes almost always don't line up.