Rawhide

Was it ever! I tried to take pictures of the vendors' areas to give folks an idea of the products available. Glad you enjoyed them. Marlon

Good choice. Barry makes some fine hand tools. I saw him today at the Boot and Saddlemaker's show. Marlon

Here's a link to the pictures I took. Hope they are all ok. This link is not a public album, so you won't be able to google it. Johanna, if you would like a copy of these pictures to post directly to the site, let me know and we can figure out how to get them to you. Enjoy everyone. I'll try to answer questions if you have any, just post them here or send me a pm. Marlon Pictures

Best material I've found for slicking is Cordura, a nylon fabric made by DuPont. I usually bevel my edges, then sand them with 400 grit on a damp edge, then 600 grit on a damp edge. Next I dye them. I dye before I slick, because the process of slicking compresses the fibers together and if done correctly will not dye very well, and I don't like the "fake" look of edge kote, I prefer spirit dye. NextI slick with a hardwood slicker on a damp edge, then damp again and finish with the cordura. Jeff Mosby has a method that I'm going to try soon that adds another few steps of sanding in there somewhere. But this has worked for me. Marlon

Those are beautiful. Man would somebody do a tutorial on covering tool handles? I give high respect to those who can braid. I've been trying to learn from the books and whew, it's hard. I would like to know enough to cover my tool handles and maybe make a laynard or something. Marlon

Hilly, I'd use 3-4 oz veg tan and stain/dye it when you do the cover, that way it's a perfect match. How wide will the gusset be? It could stiffen the case a bit. If you don't want that, use a lighter maybe 2oz veg tan. Or you could use the chap leather as an accent piece on the outside of the case and then a chap leather gusset won't seem out of place. Marlon

You might have to draw & carve that design yourself. I did a quick google search for stamps with that flag design, but I didn't find much. Check ebay, you could get lucky. Marlon

Will do Art!

Is anyone planning on going? I plan to venture up there on Friday and get a few tools. Marlon

Their website came up fine for me. Did you type hidecrafter.com or hidecrafters.com? It should be without the "s". marlon

Aart, What I know of overstitch is in the use of an overstitch wheel. this device is used to evenly mark hole locations for proper hand (saddle) stitching. After the stitching is completed, then the same overstitch wheel is run "over" the stitches to help them lay better and straighten any irregularities. Here's a picture of an overstitch wheel.

And sharpen the heck out of your awl. It'll make things go much smoother. Marlon

Barry King's mauls/mallets. I think he makes them up to 6 lbs Marlon

Right now I am drinking Lingenberry juice (from sweden), but the Saints just lost to the Redskins, so I might need something with a little more kick. Marlon

Yeah, I did the google thing. That's why I came here, to see if anyone has a source the use regularly that may not have a website or something. Thanks for lookinig. Marlon

Thanks for the ideas Russ. I'll give 'em a go. All other suggestions still welcome. Marlon

Now that's using yer noodle. I will definitely try and incoroporate this to my workbench. Thanks for sharing. Marlon

Anyone know of a place to get some round buckle blanks? Thanks, Marlon

He never ceases to amaze.

Whinewine, If you do a member's search on BarryKing and look for his posts (he only has a few). He explains the Sheridan brown that you may be after. Marlon

These are not mine...I wish... they are from Peter Main, (and I'm sure he makes a commanding salary with his work.) He asks me to post these to this forum from time to time. By the way, Here is a close up of the hair... Marlon ...there is a drawer in the base...it is lined with green suede. In answer to another question...acrylic paint was not used on the angel. Attached is a close-up as requested...the wings were one of the most difficult parts (there are eight parts to these wings) as there are fronts and backs (the overlaps of feathers are different) that had to 'kiss-fit' to a feather (no pun intended) edge. Her hair is also a separate piece and it was the last piece put into place after all other pieces were secured with hidden threads. Peter

Peter is just getting ridiculous with this...enjoy. Marlon Hello, ...here is a challenging piece. All that you see is leather...kangaroo, cow, goatskin and gold leafed leather for the binding. The base is constructed of heavy card, bound in goatskin, colored with spirit dyes to simulate marble. Peter

Stainless is extremely hard to drill. I'm not sure that "home depot" type drill bits will do the trick, repeatedly anyway. You may need to try some diamond tipped bits from a place like woodcraft or go to a metal fab shop and ask a ton of questions. Marlon

Wish granted... ...here is close-up. The dollars are tooled and colored with spirit dye...they are onlayed on the boots...the buckle features an inlay. Peter Marlon