Basically Bob

Nice work! Sure is nice to see a young'n on a 4-banger

I am certainly not tired of the music theme ... looks great!

Looks good! Thanks for sharing.

Allan, looks like a great piece of work! How 'bout sharing some of the construction and finishing details?

Many of the projects I completed when I was making small projects and at the beginning of this journey were finished similar to what you are describing. I dyed the leather, let it dry for a short while ... perhaps an hour or two (whenever the leather appeared to be dry). applied neatsfoot oil and then finished with atom wax. Atom wax looks great, for sure, however, it is not weather resistant so if you are making things that are going to be exposed to the weather, keep this in mind. I am making guitar straps, now, and am concerned about colour transfer so I have changed the process. I dye and let dry for at least 24 hours. This, I believe, ensures that the dye has really taken hold in the leather. Next, I apply neatsfoot oil and let it dry for at least 24 hours. (softens things up a bit) Next, I apply, 2/3 coats light coats of Resolene (50/50). This is an acrylic sealer and will prevent colour transfer. I use an air brush or sponge depending on the size of project. After waiting for a minimum of 24 hours, I apply Montana Pitch Blend leather dressing, let it sit until it looks to be absorbed in the leather and buff. I line all of my straps with supple, 2/3 oz. chap leather. Works for me (this week LOL). For edges, I burnish with saddle soap, dye, burnish, rub on bees wax & burnish.

hunio, your work amazes me! Thanks for sharing ... again!

Thanks, so much, Ducjes!

Quest outfitters has a pattern for a dog pack. Here's a link. http://www.questoutfitters.com/patterns-misc-cart.htm#Misc.%20Patterns ... the pattern is not for leather but perhaps it would be a good place to start. Check out retailers that sell to the outdoors market. (canoeing, kayaking etc.)

Beautiful work!

This ...

Thanks, Randy!

Wow! Awesome project ... looking forward to more progress reports!

+1 to both comments above! What type of leather did you use? Thanks for sharing .... looking forward to seeing more of your work!

Tundra leather in Hamilton.

Thank you, everyone! Julia, the awl does not have a chuck that allows you to change blades easily. It is a ferrule that he shaped himself from sterling silver. Do a search in the forums, I am sure that I have seen a source or sources for chucks listed. Bob

I stitch at 7 spi with 5 cord/18 linen thread, and I make things like belts, guitar straps, cases etc. . Seems to work good for the things I make. I use Dixon pricking irons to mark the stitches.

... thought that some of you might like to see this. A friend and fellow leatherworker, right out of the blue, gifted me with this awl. Still blows me away to think that he would do this for me. He crafted it from a deer antler and carved my initial, along with oak leaves and acorns in the butt end. The ferule is shaped and carved from sterling silver. The carving is very detailed. The icing on the cake is that it fits my hand perfectly and just feels right! Looking forward to making a case that does it justice.

Thanks for sharing, guys ... the links you have provided are very interesting!

Looking good, Colt!

Looks great! Nice design & it looks very functional.

Thank you, for your thoughts and input! Much appreciated.

I am extremely happy with Tundra Leather in Hamilton, On..

Cool ... thanks for sharing!

Wow! Beautiful work! Thanks for sharing.