Tomcat1066

Now that just looks cool. I like it

OK for the first time? From what I see, that's pretty darn good. Period. I really like your design a lot. Very cool.

Very nice job. Great finish and I love the simplicity of the whole thing. Very nice indeed

FWIW, that's kind of how I envisioned the whole thing going in the first place. I'm not sure that that was what was intended though. Maybe it's just me, but that's still relying on a flawed human being (no offense intended, we're all imperfect creatures after all) to me nearly mechanical precision. A drill press can be set up to do that. A hand drill, not so much. Of course, I may be being overly pessimistic here as well. After all, how precise does it really need to be? If it looks straight to you, it'll look straight on the leather I guess Still, I figure it's worth pointing out

I'd think that by driving the nails, you could deform them in the process. The result would be a row of nails that aren't exactly straight. With a drill press, you have a guide that maintains distance from certain points and makes it easy to put all the holes in a straight line, something that's not exactly easy doing by eye (which is something else that could throw off nails if you drive them in). At least, that's what I would see as potential problems anyways.

FWIW, I think it looks pretty good to me. I've been kicking around making something like this for my CZ and Surefire. Good to see that I'm not the only one who thinks it's a good idea

For the record though, Carlie B's is still going strong

Maybe we should get t-shirts made up Tom

It looks good!

Cool!

I never had an interest in making hats until right now For the record, I miss our Hooters already. I just closed its doors this past week, and our town will be poorer for it. Not that my wife ever let me go there or anything, but still

For right now, I'm looking at it as a hobby. However, I won't rule out it being a full time occupation since I've always dreamed of working for myself. I've spent the last couple of years writing as a potential means for that (I'm a columnist who's been trying to get syndicated), but leather may be a means towards that end. I'll still write, because I enjoy it too, but there's nothing wrong with enjoying both As for what got me interested, it was necessity mostly. I needed stuff for buckskinning and I couldn't find anything that really felt right to me. I wanted stuff that didn't feel like it came out of a factory. There were people who were definitely doing what I liked, folks like Chuck Burrows who's a member here, but their costs were out of my range. That left the alternatives of either making do with what was available, or making it myself. I'd never be happy with what was available at prices I could afford, so that left little old me to start making. I just never expected to actually enjoy making it so much. For the record, back in my SCA days (Society for Creative Anachronisms), I worked with leather just a bit, but mostly is was in making straps or cutting out pieces with no real "work" involved. I guess I missed out back then [attached is the picture that I meant to attach in the first post. I've since added just a bit of bead work to this piece, but I haven't gotten any pictures of it just yet. It's crude, but that was kind of by design]

I've made a couple of posts, but figured "what the heck" and decided I should post a quick hello. I'm in Albany, GA and I'm just starting out. I've made a small bag that I'll attach a picture of. I was stoked after finishing it so I quickly got to pondering what all else I can get into make I'm looking at learning how to make holsters along with bags and sheaths for buckskinning. So...until then

Gotten and replied to

Chuck, I'm curious how you age your pieces so they look like they've been used, rather than just abused? Whatever it is, I like how it does the job Tom

Hi Ken, I'm pretty new here, but I'm in the area. In fact, you work in my home town Born and raised in Albany and just getting started with leatherworking myself. I've completed a grand total of one project, but it was addictive. My supply of goodies for my next project should be here tomorrow. Where do you work at? Feel free to shoot me a PM if you want.

Chuck, I've admired your work for a while now, and this is certainly an incredible piece like so much of your other work. I'm jealous and hoping I can make its equal someday:specool: