cjartist

Wiz, why talk about what her husband would or wouldn't do with it? Women are extremely capable. As one who wears many hats herself, I do hope that was just a simple error on your part.

I know some people use a cutter, kind of like a strap end arch cutter. I have just started making many cuts with the box cutter kind of like this. I will then sand it if needed. I also trace a washer for those curves.

I love it when other's pin my work. It is great marketing.

Welcome to our happy place! Nice looking bag.

Try an extra holder or two in the way of binding clips ... those spring loaded paper clips. Just be sure to put a small piece of leather between both sides of it and your project so you don't mark it up.

I like it. I used to carry a Zippo. Every time you filled it you had to let it sit (or use it) for a while before putting it in your pocket. Lighter fluid burns when it leaks through your pants onto your leg. Ouch. It looks good though and I may have to try making one. Thanks for sharing.

So excited that you are here. I'm not sure that I will make any of my own tools, but would love to learn. Can I ask what you would charge for knurled blanks? Thanks and Welcome!

Great thread with a lot of helpful advice. It is an old thread and is interesting to follow some of the links and see where these artisans are now. Absolute respect for this forum and this thread.

This right here should be handled slightly differently IMO. Too much text that many will not read. Pull out the highlights as bullet points. Then follow that with some details about your methods for those that really want to know. That last bit about "A good deal of time ..." sounds to me like you are not comfortable with the pricing and are trying to justify it. Nice looking bag, BTW.

That website looks like it was made and last updated in 2003.

This right here is the secret to crack. Pure gold. Every great marketer teaches this. Putting it into practice is the difficult part.

I would think the two items, as you described should be priced equally. How else do you pay for a strap cutter and clicker die? Obviously the guy charging less has either been doing it for a very long time and his equipment is paid for and depreciated. OR, it is just bad business and they feel they need o undercut their prices to get customers. I think the best advice is to make it truly unique to make it worthy of more $$$

I need to make one for myself. I don't like the money clip hardware I have seen though. How does the hinged clip work out? Is it spring loaded? The one I have been using is just curved steel that was originally covered with very thin leather, but that is long gone.

In the one pictured, and the 1/2 ton from Harbor Freight that I own, that bottom plate could be removed to gain some clearance if needed. Seems like a thin plate of flat steel would be better for most leather applications anyway. I think a half ton would be fine. I have been using mine to punch five holes at once through 5 to 6 oz leather.

Just looked through some I have from 1988. Not what you are looking for, but I noticed most of mine have numbers in the 82xx and 83xx series. Do you by any chance have a resource that lists the stamps you seek with photos? I have one of the cub scout stamps but it seems to be kind of oxidized and I can't make out the number on the back. I may have to see if I can clean that one up.

Very impressive. I love the combination of leather and brass.

Leather is quite versatile. As artisans I know we sometimes struggle with finding something original to do or make, but style and using different techniques keep things interesting. The real problem is finding customers that appreciate all that we put into our craft and are also willing to pay for that. I think the Internet is great for reaching our ideal customers. Still, there is nothing like seeing the product in person.

You may be able to cut it with a hacksaw or tin snips too. A pair of vise grips will help to pull it out. You may be able to clamp the vise grip and then tap it out? Hard to say without a picture.

That looks awesome. Great way to get your name out in the community and also make people aware of the art that otherwise may not be.

Agreed. In the end I think it is up to the consumer to decide what they feel is worth the money. Someone else here posted about digitally printing artwork (which I suspect is not even their own) on to holsters to sell. That to me is an artistic compromise. But they will probably sell a ton of them because they can do it cheaper that way. If someone is looking for a leather item that is truly handmade, they will likely see that for what it is. Or eventually realize once they learn to admire the art. Your use of a laser does not even come close to any sort of deception in my opinion.

Excellent. Thank you!

Yep, what they said. Although it also looks like there may have been a black antique used after.

I don't think it was the dye. I think it was not sealing it properly. You mentioned coating it with leather sheen ... is that Super Sheen? One coat won't do it. And if you are also using oil, that would go on first. Oil won't penetrate properly applied super sheen. I would make sure to use at least three coats of super sheen, or use a finish that contains beeswax.

I would try and return it, or at least contact your supplier and see what they say. Maybe it was a bad lot.

Just wanted to bump this thread. I have not tried the saddle soap yet. Hoping for maybe some more opinions. Thanks.