Sylvia

found these Concho's made in USA. http://www.ospreyconchos.com/store/c/6-Pewter-Conchos.html

The amount of tools you'll gather is never ending. I've absconded with a good portion of my hubby's tools :D I still want about another $500 worth of hand tools but it will have to wait. If you have sewing machine oil, it will work for your stone in a pinch.

oooooo you just reminded me... I need to make some leather map weights. (2 coasters, sew them 3/4 the way around, fill with aquarium rocks or lead shot, finish sewing = 1 map weight) 2 or 3 of those help hold things like maps, plans, patterns, slippery leathers. I suppose one could make it from scrap pieces cut square too.

and with less hand cramping. LOL

Very nice. I would be proud to hang that on my Tree or in my Window.

I got tired of tipping mine and got out my jeweler's files and sent to town and made it a steeper angle. I like it much better now. You are right though... hard to get this wide tip in a narrow spot... good idea on buying extras to shape as you need. To the original poster, you need a good cut in order to get a good bevel. That may be harder to do on your 3/4 oz leather. I tend to use a thicker leather too. The nice thing about these things is you can bevel... then go back and bevel again to make it deeper and or more burnished.

I think it's a good idea. I even tried to free hand one with a swivel knife last night. I got about 1/3 of the way through it and looked at it and went. "wonky" LOL I may try again soon. S

Well, darn, I was hoping your "doohicky" would be one of those.

Well, It was kind of buried... at least for me. I would like to participate, even picked out a snowflake I like... just not sure I could get it done by the end of the month. Are people posting these to a gallery or what? I don't see any examples here.

I've never heard of rope stitch in anything other than embroidery. Do you have a picture?

Well, how did I miss this little gem? I guess I better start scrolling to the bottom of the forum more often.

Do you have a safety skiver? use that and a little sand paper.

Rogue, thanks for sharing this link. That thing is awesome!

Any of these tools look like what you are seeking? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Large-Lot-Cobblers-tools-found-2-Hammers-/270923755291?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f14506f1b

That's funny.... I like it.

Thank you. Yep... standard size is 3/16... BK size is 7/32.

Hi Pete. Can you please measure the shaft of your ceramic blades for me? BK blades are slightly larger than the standard shank.

Thanks Bob. I didn't know Chuck Smith's had a jig that would work. It's nice to know that a pro like you had trouble with "free hand" sharpening of these too. That makes me feel a lot better. Does Chuck Smith's have a website or do I have to call them?

Fantastic Idea Ken.... however, then it wouldn't work for any of the standard shank blades. I might see if I can find another jig and then drill it out to have one of each. Barry is going to send me another blade, a regular style blade. So he is taking good care of me. Apparently, I am one of 2 people who have disliked these hollow ones. It was just ok. It never really felt right. Hey! Who are you calling "older?" LOL I actually have a 30x loop from my gold and jewelry buying days. I use it a lot.... that's how I knew I wasn't getting the angle right. Excellent idea with the marker.

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out and see if it is something we can make with the shop tools we have.

Thanks Tate... I did that too. I can't see or feel the angle. When I think I have the angle and draw it on the stone... and look at the edge... I can see that the angle I got was not the original cut line. Ok, well, I'm going to chalk this up to my being hollow ground blade sharpening challenged and send this blade back... maybe even with the whole dang knife. It's too bad too, I really loved the action of this knife.

Uh huh... that's what I have been doing except... BK blades don't fit the "roller fixture" He makes his shafts on the blades larger then a standard or Tandy blade. I got so dang frustrated I nearly used the darned thing as a dart today. LOL I swore so long and hard... even my ex-sailor husband was shocked. (I rarely say "f-words" when I'm mad) I don't know, I'm not sure this blade is worth the PITA it's causing.

Looks really nice. Just don't get dye on your hands or pants and go sitting on that white chair/couch.

LOL... I guess Sylvia wasn't your first clue. :D "The most dangerous knife is a dull knife" is what my father said. He made sure I knew how to sharpen, hone and strop. And I grew up with knowing to run when he got out his knives to sharpen them... because after he was done shaving the hair off his forearms he got my sister... and headed for me... ha! I did learn though... and I also know his sage sausage recipe... can skin and gut a deer... and can bone it out, cut it up and wrap it. I think that is the reason why I'm so frustrated with this blade.... I should be able to pull a fine edge and it just ain't happening.