Basically Bob

Thanks! Cyberthrasher, much appreciated. I was really having a tough time figuring out why my stitching on the back went "wonky" because normally it's pretty good (the worst of it isn't showing - LOL) . That being said, I have never stitched-up anything as long as a guitar strap - almost 100" of stitching. When I was on the second to the last thread run, I figured out what the problem was. It had to do with how I had the strap held in the clam (I use a Brit style stitching clam) Once I got that under control, it seemed to be not too bad. Bob

Just finished my first guitar strap. (ummm - or should I say, BASS strap - LOL) I used 8-10 oz. American tanned bridle leather. Pigskin for the lining. Hand stitched at 7 s.p.i. It was also my first attempt at stamping. Learned a few things for sure! I trimmed the pigskin and after I finished, I thought that I could take "just a little more off" - yikes - big mistake - cut into the strap. Can hardly wait to start strap #2! Thinkin' that black bridle is going to look pretty luscious beside the black pickguard on my custom fretless! :-)

A couple of things that I have found really helpful ... - burnish in the same direction that the leather was cut. You will know which direction is correct by rubbing a finger lightly over the edge of the leather - one direction is normally smoother than the other - that's the direction to burnish. - I get the cleanest lines by using good quality wool felt, cut in a strip, folded over and held in a wooden clothes pin - as illustrated in Al Stohlman's "The Art of Making Leather Cases (volume one). It also really helps to singe the fuzz off of the edge of the wool with a lighter. I prefer this over wool daubers. Here's the process I like: - lightly wet the edge and burnish. - dye -burnish - lightly apply gum trag -burnish -lightly apply leather balm and wax =burnish/polish I burnish, either with a piece of light canvas (cut from a painter's drop sheet) by hand or a canvas covered cylinder on my drill press. ... or both.

Hey, thanks Lou. Great job!

Sure looks good!

looks great! very clean and awesome stitching.

Thanks, eh!

I moved away from using a full size wallet several months ago and have been using a simple credit card wallet ... it's great! However, the downside is that I often end up with a bunch of loose bills/receipts floating around in my pocket. So ... here's a quick and simple solution. I hand-stitched this "Bill Slip" at 7 s.p.i. and used 3 oz. veg tan. Dyed, then applied neatsfoot oil and leather balm. It's hardly noticeable in my pocket and is a good companion to my credit card wallet. Bob

I like it a lot, especially the creativity with your tooling and stamping. The inside is pretty impressive too! Thanks for sharing. Bob

...this shows it a little better!

Ski ... I forgot to answer ... no, I did not treat it with anything. I believe that the natural oils in the bark will be sufficient.

Here is a photo of the stamp. The block portion is a small chunk of scrap aluminum. The block was tapped to accept a stainless steel bolt I had on hand. A "lock nut" was screwed on to the bolt. I really don't have the ability to do this sort of thing on my own and am very fortunate to have a retired machinist that is willing to help me out. I also made a really simple leather case to cover it with so that I don't damage it when not in use. Bob

tkirwan, I ok with that, for sure. You really don't need my permission but I do appreciate the respect you have demonstrated by asking. Bob

Thanks for the compliments, guys. Ski,I believe that the conversion would be somewhere around 1.5 - 2mm. I am a wilderness canoe tripper and have had an appreciation for the amazing properties of birch bark for several years. The natural oils contained within the bark makes it an excellent fire starter ... even when wet, has been used for canoe building for centuries, shelter and many other uses such as baskets. My plans are to incorporate birch bark into a line of signature items ... just haven't got it all put together yet. Knife sheaths and pouches are in the line-up, for sure.

My niece provided me with the art-work and my good friends at Tundra Leather ordered the plate. A retired machinist made the "punch" for me and I epoxied the plate to the punch. Works good and adds a bit of professionalism to my projects.

This hand-stitched axe sheath incorporatates a birch bark panel in the design. Birch bark is amazing. The natural oils it contains has made it ideal for many purposes, for many centuries. I used 4-5 oz veg tanned leather and elected to use a welt rather than rivets, 5/18 linen thread. Bark is glued to a leather substrate, skived around the edges then glued in place. The snaps are covered with skived piece of leather on the inside of the sheath. It was more challenging to put together than I thought, originally, but I sure am pleased with how it turned out (other than the smudge of dye where I didn't want it on the back!).

I think that you have done a great job! Both look very clean and I like the design work you have done. Could you provide a few more details? Leather weight? lined/unlined? Gotta get at a strap for myself ... soon! Thanks for sharing

Love it!

Thanks George!

Enjoyed! I like it!

Hah! My son was an avid Dungeons and Dragons player and is also a GEEK :-). I will show this to him for sure - looks good! Since you are one of "those guys" (LOL) you might be interested in the new iphone app that he has created and launching tomorrow. It's called "this is not a test" - It's an RPG meets comic book thing. Here's a link ... https://www.facebook.com/pages/This-is-Not-a-Test-iPhone-App/176057942576283 Hey, maybe I will have to think of a leather project for him to celebrate! Looks great!

Very nice! Very clean, simple but eye-catching design. Thanks for sharing.

Nice work!

I really appreciate the planning and effort you put into this project. Just curious ... what would the weight of the case be?

What an awesome gift! Great job!