DoubleC

Well Asylum, I don't think you accomplished your interests because I don't see any evil in this, but a lot of time and effort well spent. You did a wonderful job on it. Cheryl

This is a lot of questions for my little brain but I'll try to answer them. You have a 'spirit' dye if yours has alcohol in it. I use a particular dark brown like this and it does really stiffen things up. How I do ALL my dyeing no matter what type I'm using is dampen the leather to make it spread more evenly. Then I do buff the excess off. Then I put a finish on it...resolene or mop 'n glo both cut with water on it. I burnish my edges and then I get to work on the stiffness. I use bag balm to condition the leather and work it in with my hands and work the leather maybe 1/2 hour. Turning it under into a roll or what ever shape it would make sense to roll it under. There are a ton of conditioners you can buy specifically for softening your leather but I just like the way bag balm works. Saddle soap isn't a finish, it won't protect the leather from the elements. Also I don't think any of the other things you listed are either except maybe the snow proof one but I've never used it. So to me the most inexpensive AND best thing you could do is go to the store and buy mop 'n glo and cut it with water and brush it on and let it dry. Buy some bag balm at the store too. Most places carry it because it's used for so many other things than cows. After your mop 'n glow is dry, rub the bag balm all over it and work it in. It will probably be greasy after you finish but on dry leather it will soak all in over night and your leather will practically drape. I hope this helped some. Cheryl

Hi Country. I just recently finished a messenger bag in chromium tanned and was going to make some saddle bag carry alls in oil tanned I saw I just loved. Very similar to this. But oil tanned bleeds until it wear out. I got several opinions on it before deciding against it. You backpack is beautiful but was hoping I could save you some time and money on your duffle bag. Cheryl

OH lol, well if you're female then of course it isn't an addiction.

shtoink, I've complained about advertising posts on the site before and Admin says to click the 'report' in case the Mods don't see it. One guy from China just posted his website of things for sale in leather and said he'd used ideas from the site to make them. I think there may have been a language barrier thing there when he was so proud he'd used our ideas and didn't realize we might not be happy about that. That wasn't really a grey area, but some of them are. A lot of people put their things in 'show off' instead of a particular place, myself included now that I think about it. I make guitar straps and put them on the main forum after I finish one instead of under the micro thread area. But not for sale and actually I use the critique my work more than show off because I don't think I'm so good I can't use the suggestions from people and really want feedback. And I use the regular thread on 'how do I do that' instead of the micro for tons of things and learn something new everyday from the diverse things listed there. So now if someone just posts to sell something I either ignore it or hit report. If it's really one of our members that are just used to doing things a certain way I try and give feedback just as I'm doing here. I don't like people spamming my 'house' here but I'm less concerned about what room my friends want to sit in. Cheryl

That is beautiful. I've had three of them and they are such majestic and intelligent dogs. And you've conveyed that well. Cheryl

Phil there is no other place like Springfield as far as I'm concerned. It's just a great place all around. Cheryl

I'm sorry Strudell, I didn't know you meant you didn't intend to dye it. Cheryl

Well I don't plan to shave with any of my tools or doing anything beyond trying to get my stuff 'sharpish' from use. Doubt I'll ever be a master at the craft, but I guess I can live with that. And no throat cutting on my thread LOL

Nope, no addictions there

That's a beautiful job Allen. Cheryl

Yes, I just didn't have the heart to break it to him :-) (He needs an inpatient rehab not our group, LOL)

I had the same problem on undyed leather so I always dye and put my finish coat on first before I burnish. I 'smooth' them with sand paper if need be on my guitar straps, but no saddle soap on the undyed leather. I wait until I have resolene on as a little resist and slicker finish to wipe the excess off with. Try it with your leather dyed including the edges, and your finish on first. Works best for me. Make sure your dye is really dry and also your finish.

Kate I have the same people pleasing problem, one that's on his way here to get his guitar strap. So I'm not going to be a hypocrite and tell you to not feel bad. I think Allen has a great idea for rescuing this belt and making it look even more awesome when you match your dees to your rivets and then you don't have to try and worry about matching the barbed wire. Cut the center part out with the design and enough to wrap over your dee rings, and then add the new lengths on each of those. Then make her a belt too IF she wants on after seeing how cool the first one is. Cheryl Oh you answered while I was. I think what you're thinking of would look nice too, not wonky but planned. But I like the headstall look a lot Cheryl

Winterbear, that is awesome. I saw a belt made with a solid bead inlay like you made that was beautiful. Can't wait to see one, or even a guitar strap inlay like it? Very patient, careful, beautiful work.

I don't know about their patterns but I do know the company and all you have to do is call their toll free number and they'll tell you exactly what's in the pack. Great customer service. Cheryl

Thanks for the heads up but I do all my ordering from Springfield great selection, best customer service and great prices plus just one ship fee. Cheryl