Rawhide

Right now I use mostly V5, but I've got maybe 15000 hrs. of V4. As far as the hinge goes....It's the original hinge that was on the old jaws. I figured, it still works, might as well use it. Maybe I'll sand it down and paint it.

1. Use saddlesoap to clean the leather after the acid wash 2. a sponge works well, use circular motions. 3. Wear nitrile gloves. Even though it is a mild acid, it still should be treated as an acid. Take care.

Josh, You're welcome, but I didn't even take it that way. I'm just happy Peter is so willing to share and teach. I'm happy to post anything that he gives the ok to post and hope that people enjoy it and find it as useful as I do. Happy Pounding!!!

Some things Peter thought could be useful to some of us.

Yep that's it. Love that book!!

It's actuall pretty easy. I learned how to do it from this book. It has much a better pictorial explination than I can give in words. It is a double loop lace just as normal, except you alternated colors.

I don't do any mass production of articles, so take my info with a grain of salt. I sharpened mine when I bought it, just because that's who I am. I think anything can use improvement even if it's perfect. However, I haven't sharpened it since and that's been a year or so ago. I do strop it before a project to keep the edges honed though. If you have a problem maintaining your tools, I suggest Al Stohlman's Leathercraft Tools book. This is probably the biggest gem in his works, and it helps you understand how to use, maintain and protect your tools. Very good instruction.

Here's me.

Well I'll have a cup

Do you mean like this?

If belts are all you want to do, the "Belts Galore" book by Al Stohlman should get you going with what's needed to create them. If you want to expand on that, the book by Valarie Michael "The Leatherworking Handbook", has just about everything a shop will need to produce belts, handbags, wallets, and the like, Saddlemaker....different story. Since you're a shooter, you might consider making holsters as well.

I spoke to a guy at one of the leather shows that showed some examples of dyed rawhide. He said most people will tell you that it can't be done, but he said you have to leave the dye on the surface for a while. He didn't say how long. So I would experiment.

8"!!!! Wow. That's going to be way too big to control properly. Most people want one in about the 3" to 4 1/2" range.

It depends if it's veggie tanned or chrome tanned. If veg tanned, and the sealer allows water to pass, you may be able to stamp it. If it's chrome tanned, you can only add some crystal rivets or maybe some conchos.

Thanks Randy, That may be just what I'm looking for. I don't know why I didn't think to look at Campbell.

How to use a head knife This is a link to the tips page that shows how to use a head knife. It's a scan of the Al Stohlman instruction on using it.

I've had good luck with a wide, well sharpened french edger. and the black saftey skiver from tandy.

Wow Johanna, I've got a tear welling up. This is my first reading of this post. To come through so much and never stop acheiving is amazing. I thank you and all that aide this forum. I think your vision of what it was to be has come to be and much more. And to think you're allergic to leather is another amazing feat, that you seem to still overcome. I'm simply humbled. You deserve to be the Queen of the crop!!

I do. You're not alone. Most of the time, I use either my Mac, or my work pc, but there are times when I'm away or otherwise a pc isn't available and it's perfect for the job. The only thing is posting pictures. If I could post pictures from my iphone...boy I'd be dangerous.

Billy, right now I am using the 000 needles tandy sells, but I've been looking for some 004's that are a little smaller in diameter. the 000's are great needles, but just a little tight when using theses small blades. Marlon

that's kind of a small picture and hard to see, but it may be a piece of leather, wrapped around another piece and stitched at the top. Not sure though.

Maybe I ought to request a salary huh? Or maybe a custom made item

I assume you're using your airbrush. What do you clean the bee natural up with?

I just use Fiebing's spirit dye. I can get any color under the sun. A good burnish will shine it up and give you a perfect edge.

Peter's a very nice and interesting guy. I took a few classes under him last year. I mentioned this board to him during those classes and invited him to check it out. He has since registered, but posted very little. One day I asked if I could post something that he sent to the iilg list, and he agreed. Now he sends an email to me to post here when he makes something new. I don't mind at all and I think we can all benifit from it. I hope you get to meet him one day, he's got an interesting story for everything!!