bland

Unfortunately that looks too far gone to ever be a serviceable satchel again. Maybe clean it up as a conversation piece. I think somebody could pattern it and make a replica. I don't think there are even any salvageable panels. Cool bag though.

I have used some acrylic paint and Tan Kote to set off a dark dyed project. I kind of like the metallic gold and silver. I have also used acrylic paint like an antique on kids belts to add color to the tooling. It is kind of a mess.

After a move it is fun to get your shop set back up! Your radio strap looks good!

There are all manner of border stamps. Every vendor has a wide variety. Here are just few examples. https://www.barrykingtools.com/borders.htm https://tandyleather.com/search?type=article%2Cpage%2Cproduct&q=border*+stamps* https://www.weaverleathersupply.com/catalog/cp_/shop-now/hand-tools/stamping-carving/stamps

I cut the top to size and over cut the liner and trim on belts and straps.

Dwight the angle depends on the dimensions of the stamp. You can see in the first photo there is maybe a 5 degree difference between these two stamps. You can run them a couple different ways. One being along a straight line, legs resting on the line. The other is more of a vertical run along the edge of the panel. Think more like arrowheads on a belt. Figure out your angle and use it all the way up the first side then run the second all the way up as well, then the third... As far as the camouflage tool you can run it with the legs on the line or you can run the arc on the line and get a little different look.

Have you checked some of the site sponsors? There are probably others. https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread.html https://leathermachineco.com/product/1oz-spools-premium-thread-all-colors/

You might check with some re-enactment makers to see where they get their trees. Here is one site, I'm sure there are others as well. http://www.borderstatesleatherworks.com/ Bowden Saddle Tree list a McClellan tree on their 2019 price list as a specialty tree. https://saddletree.com/p/price-list

I have been happy with the Barry King basket stamps. There are quite a few different designs, styles and sizes.

Weaver also has a stainless steel 4 inch buckle but it is only one tongue. https://www.weaverleathersupply.com/catalog/item-detail/00100-ss-4/100-buckle-one-tongue/pr_63767 Do they have to be double tongued? I have made both some people really like the single tongue. Now that I see the stainless buckles I may have to order some.

Weaver Leather has some. It has also been discussed here before. maybe there is a nugget to help you find the ones you are looking for. https://www.weaverleathersupply.com/catalog/item-detail/00100-np-2-4/100-buckle-two-tongue/pr_481

Very nice!

I would not say that I have mastered the round knife. It was a little scary to use at first. I'd use it for a while and then put it away for a while. Probably for the last 6 months I use it most of the time. Making long parallel cuts would be a challenge. I still generally use a strap cutter or draw gauge depending on the leather thickness for belts and longer straps and I usually cut multiple at a time. I have used my round knifes to get the initial straight edge on a side or double shoulder. I have used it for shorter straps for headstall and billets for bag closures. Primarily the longer straight cuts are on bag bodies and projects like that. Being able to use one knife during cutout is definitely a time saver.

Learning to use a round knife changed my life. Very versatile. Tight curves, long straight cuts without a straight edge, skiving, trimming... I have an old Midas Leather round knife I inherited and a Master Tool from Weaver. I have been happy with both.

Very nice Chuck!