electrathon

I do not know what a Maverick bag is, but lace is very strong. Kangeroo is always better than calf, stronger and lasts longer. To my knowledge, the only reason to use calf is to sacrafice quality for price. The wallet is laced in Kangeroo.

Use kangeroo lace and you will not have a problem. I have had wallets come apart in less than a year with calf lace, have over two years on a wallet with kangeroo and it has not even started to show signs of failure. Aaron

Congratulations! It looks very nice and winning is very cool! You can now advertise your work is custom made by an award winning leather craftsman. Aaron

You are correct, you only use one end of the blade. I guess I would relate this to using a double bladed ax or a single blade ax. Also similar to thr razors of the old days that had a sharp edge on both sides. No need for the other side, just change (sharpen) the blade. Aaron

When you pull the piece out of the dip, "blot" the surface off with a soft rag. Then hang or lay it down to dry. Aaron

I don't really have an answer on this. It was an old handsaw blade I got at a yard sale. Usually old saw blades that show a little dis-coloring are relitively good quality. I cut it fast on the plasma table and got a very small area of blue along the line. I sharpened past the line to get into the hardened area of the steel. It sharpened up well and does hold an edge. As a way for a small time knife maker to make a very thin knife, this works well.

Is the brown material a Poly with a differant density or a differant product altogeather? Aaron

You will need to carve/tool first. Otherwise there will be no firm surface area to pound on. Aaron

I think it looks very nice. I am betting someday you will be talking to God and will find out he is proud of the work you did too. Aaron

I like your carving. It looks crisp and clean. The depth looks good too. Questions: Your name here is Pucci, but you signed it K.E.N., how does that work? Also, what is the insignia in the lower left corner? Aaron

try this

I was hoping to get a coment or two on the color. Generally floral carvings are left lighter and the background is dyed darker. I dyed the entire piece on this one (50% Fiebings British tan diluted 50% with isopropyl). Used Neet-laq and then antiqued with dark brown paste antique. My question is: Should I have gone lighter on the color? Darker? More red, brown, tan? I am thick skinned here, Just looking for input. Aaron

Thanks. Bad lacing really bugs me. Once you learn to do it properly, it is easy. Tricks: Get a set of lacing nippers from hidecrafters (http://www.hidecrafter.com/hci/index.php?/Hand-Punches/STITCHING-NIPPERS-3-PRON/flypage.tpl.html). Someone else may sell these, but never found them elsewhere. Use the diamond punch, it makes pretty holes and you can use it when you are hand sewing too. Use a set that is one size too small for your lace (use a 3/32 punch and 1/8 lace). Make your slots close to the edge, about 1/8" in. Farther in does not look as good as right along the edge. Whatever you do, don't use round holes, they just look tacky. Here is the trick: It is laced in one color but use two laces and use a double loop two toned lacing pattern. It really fills the space a lot better than a single lace can do. Aaron

My latest work. It is a checkbook cover I made for myself. Used a Tandy pattern for this one. Dyed brown with black kangeroo lace. Input and suggestions welcome. Aaron

The antique will still "fill" the cuts. The order you posted is how I do it.

Let me see if I can explain this correctly: Bevel a trough out on the area that you want the fold to happen. It needs to be about half way through the leather and about 1/8" wide. When you glue in your lining and fold the cover it will "pucker" into the cut area, not out. When your book is open, it will stay open. When you close it, the pucker will move into the trough and it will stay closed.

This is one of my favorites: http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/search/searchresults/72055-00.aspx?feature=Product_19&kw=craftaid

If you mean the one that Tandy sells all of the blades are way huge for what you are doing. It is the only one I know of with replaceable blades. Aaron

Any of them will work... There are so many differant ways of doing it. If you are trying to be a purist and do it "corectly" the pricking iron listed in the second link is what you are looking for. Then you use an awl to pierce the holes through the leather. Aaron

If you dye the background you will likely end up with a splotchy mess. It would be best if you leave it natural. Bachground paint will rub/wear off, so stay away from that too. Also, the spot that you sanded on, it will be a completley differant copor if you try to dye it. Hindsite: If I was going to do a similar wallet and wanted background color I would have first dyed the total piece by dip dying it. You can paint over that and would not have to dye around the tooled area that way. Aaron

If you are going to do it you should contact cement it in and sew the perimiter. If you are doing this for a customer it may be a good idea to have them sign a statement that they understand this is likely to harm their gun.

You will likely get a number of people with differant opinions about this, but it is my understanding if the gun is going to be a show gun and not carried, this can work. If the gun is going to be carried frequently the felt will attract and hold dust. The dust becomes an abrasive and will damage the finish on the gun.

This guy is rather pathetic. Of his 6 answers (looking in the first 24 hour period) one was someone asking what he ment, two were suggestions and two were responces from himself. It looks more like JohnnyB is the one who needs the reading comprehension class.

It is rare to see a Makarov. I have one that is my primary carry gun. Like the holster. Aaron

The vines look good. Enlarge the flower and over lap some of the leaves. You want minimal background.