Rawhide

Here you go. I have average sized hands for a male. So these pics will give you an idea of the relative size. Marlon

Nevermind I figured it out

Thanks Clay, However, I don't see any difference when I click on live chat. Where is the chat room? Marlon

I'll put my vote in for Danny Marlin's head knife. I have the #128 which is a 4 inch head knife. I like it because it fit my hand with no modifications. I can post a picture if you like. Marlon

What's the difference between "live chat" and "forum" Marlon

No questions are dumb my friend. That's why we are all here....to learn. Marlon

I think it's granite. However, there's no way I would set rivets on it. I would use a steel plate or an anvil. Marlon

Chris, Sorry I forgot to answer that question. Yes, poundo is a fairly stiff rubber pad about 1/4" to 3/8" thick. If you have a Wal-mart or something of the sort, That poly board I mentioned could be the ticket. Like I said before, it is harder than the poundo, but will treat your tools the same way, plus it's eaiser to tell when you've punched all the way through the leather. Marlon

You can use a soft pine board, A cork board would work, provided it's thick enough. You can also use a poly board instead (kitchen cutting board). It's harder than poundo, but it's soft enough not to damage your tools. Marlon

Thanks freak. I appreciate the comments. Marlon

Thanks Howard. It was definitely fun to make. However I hate the little 3/8" long screws they put in the hinges. I changed them to some longer ones to help hold the lid better. I may put a lanyard on one side or both to keep it from opening all the way. Marlon

WOW! 7 Beard Swivel knives? I wish I could get just one. Maybe I can catch him at a show with some. Hopefully he'll attend the Boot & Saddlemaker's show in Wichita Falls. Marlon

Hi Kevin how's it going? Coloring a la Peter? Naw. I think that Sheridan style has everything too close to color it correctly (at least for me). I do plan to attend the new embossing class. How about you? The letter came from the cover of Peter's book "The Main Technique..." Marlon

Thanks David. I've just recently started using Leather balm w/atom wax, and I like it very much. I don't know if it's waterproof or not, but I like the mellow finish. Marlon

David, Once again, that's a beautiful seat. What do you finish your seats with, not the stain but topcoats? Do you waterproof them? Thanks, Marlon

I'll just put my .02 in. Talking with Peter Main, it was surprising to know he uses mostly Craftool. He rarely uses a beveler, mostly a modeling tool. He also said that he doesn't have a tool that he hasn't modified. Just a thought. Peter makes fantastic carvings with craftool, so you can too. But as ClayB said it takes practice. Even perfect tools won't make you a good carver without practice. They may make the learning curve lower, but they won't replace practice. For the best bang for the buck I think Barry King would fit the bill. Not that any of the others aren't good, just that for the budget minded hobbiest they meet the criteria. Marlon

You are most welcome

Actually the knife and the blade are most important if you plan to do a lot of carving. However to answer your question, the A.S. you have will fit the bill just fine. It's a ton better than the craftool swivel knife. As for the blade on thin leather, that Peter Main blade is designed for exactly that. If you remember, there was a carving Peter did with the title Happy Everything (it should be floating around here somewhere). He carved that out on 1mm leather! The Hollow Ground blades won't be very good for thin leather. Marlon

Here's the Peter Main Blade. (couldn't get them all in the same post) Marlon

Sure, Let me get out some leather and I'll try and show visually. This will be hard to see on the photos, but each blade cuts very differently, some cut narrow & deep, some wide & deep, some shallow and wide, etc... Basically I have a 3/8" hollow ground straight blade, this is what I do most of my traditional carving with on anything 4/5 oz and above. Next I have a 1/4" hollow ground detail blade that has an angle to it. This is used for finer work, sheridan would be an example. Next is a filigree blade (steep angle) this is used for extreme fine detail that has to be cut with some depth. Lastly I have the Peter Main special. It is a blade that is almost straight, but has a slight angle, and it has a wide bevel to it, this I use for accent cuts, and carving on 3 oz or less leather. It will open a cut better without having to go deep, due to it's wide bevel.

I think I will just cover the top. Thanks for the additional comments. Marlon

Whipit, Before you buy from the states and pay shipping, you might email Peter Main. He's from Australia and may be able to tell you where you might find one locally. Just a thought. Marlon

Thanks for all the wonderful comments guys, I thought it came out pretty good. I think I may Neat lac it and antique it. I don't think color dying is true sheridan. As far as the two AS swivel knives. The first one I got at cost from Tandy, because I fixed a piece of machinery for them. The second one, I bought with the 50% discount on one item sale they had about 2 months ago. The first silver one is also an AS, but the knurled type 3/8 inch barrel. The last silver one on the far right is a Henley with the Peter Main special blade (awsome knife). I don't think you can have too many swivel knives. It beats having to change blades any day. Even though I have my screwdriver and allen wrench attached to some magnets in the lid. (you can't see the allen wrench because it's so dark.) Clay, I really thought about trying to do that, but I digress. That's just too darn tiny for me to try and match. Anyway I have one "small" initial there in the middle. Marlon

Thanks Tina. Again, I can't take credit for the idea. That was Peter Main's. Marlon

I stole this idea from Peter Main and made myself a box to carry my swivel knives in. It's parts are a cigar box from Joann fabric, a few layers of foam (I took a throw-able flotation cushion from wal-mart and cut it open to get the foam out), some rare earth magnets, and some velvet. Here are a couple of pictures. I haven't finished it yet, but I will probably antique it. Marlon