Look at the gallery on here and you will see impressive work by a lot of different makers.........as far as the maker of that belt.........I would not be afraid to tell him it sucked to his face....just saying\
I am usually pretty easy going and accepting of other peoples work, or their attempts....but to me ...and I am trying to be nice.....I am trying to block that image of a belt out of my mind.....and for someone to pay that kind of money for a belt. I would seriously want it to look a lot better than that...Just my very honest opinion
when I was in ROTC in school, we had brass buckles and insignia....we put them in boiling water to remove the lacquer finish...only takes a couple of minutes.
the one from tandy....easy carve....is not a bad product if that is all you can get...I have never done the dishsoap thing so I can't comment on it. The easy carve does work though but the Bee's Natural product is more economical here and works a little better.
I use the Bee Natural Easy Carve solution...it helps me.
but just plain water works too. the secret..lol...is to allow the leather to absorb the water into the fibers. too wet is bad..as too dry is bad
Bob's tutorial is the best instruction I can recommend
I do't think there is a bearing. The part you seem to be referring to is the part that holds the blade. the angle desired is by changing out the end parts..thinking of getting one as it looks fairly simple to use
That would depend on the leather and finish on it. Pictures would help. Try putting water on it, if it beads up then there is a finish on it and it would need to be removed with deglazier first. Again, pictures would help!