MonicaJacobson

That looks really slick.

LOL, I think it looks nice. You don't have to sound so disappointed with it.

Very cool, neke. That's a sturdy bag, for sure. I like the feet, the carving, and the two tone dye job. Very nice. The only thing I see is the way the strap attaches. Skived (maybe even the whole strap), like Thor suggested, and had the double layer go cleanly all the way to the end, then bending it around the d-ring. You could also have made it look a little more intentional by unapologetically not matching up the end that goes around the d-ring to the end where the second layer ends. Matching it up like that brings attention to it. Anyway, super cool bag. I'm supposed to be making something similar (in shape) for someone soon, and it was fun to see your variation.

Nice work, Chief!

David, thanks for the video. I have seen pictures of those, but didn't know what they were called or how they worked. Thanks a lot. Now I need one of those, too. @WickedWelts - Very nice collection you have there. My husband (an instrument maker) thought they were awesome, too, and advises against using a blade from any of them. For the price of one of them you can buy a new blade of very good steel. Some of them are worth $30 each (he says), and some are worth $60.00 each. He was especially impressed with the one in the second to last picture with the dark wooden handles.

What's it like to burnish? If it's easy, you might have natural dublin (veg tanned). If it's harder, one of the chrome tans. Whatever it is, it looks great.

Very cool, all of them!

I agree with wishful. In the end, it doesn't take too much time stitching it again.

@OTSniper, the planer blade is a genius idea. Thanks! There are a lot of nice blades out there for only $40.00. I might buy a head knife and make my own skiver, if it works well enough. Thanks also for the sharpening tips @WW - I'd love to see pictures. Old tools like that are always interesting.

Ha, yes, it's fun to see what surfaces when it comes to tool preferences. @Tramp, interesting idea about the instability of clicker knives. I tried to use a dexter knife: but I think it was too long, and required too much force for a good cut.

@Nuttish, thanks for the website - it was a good read and there were a lot of fun tools on there. I was less worried about cutting myself (though the thought crossed my mind) and more about keeping that large of a blade sharp. I am not remarkably skilled at sharpening, but I guess whatever happens, I'll have to get better. @electrathon - you're just confirming my feeling that I have to buy all the tools. At least eventually. I'll look up the videos on LW -thanks for the pointer.

Nice, you guys! The celtic knot is cool, Erystawi. Andy, that 9 oz. oil-tanned leather looks really nice. I also like the simple buckle. Wish I had done that. Also, the handle is great. I still have mine sitting around on top of leather waiting for me to make a handle for it. Meh.

LOL, Bill, you just sent me into indecision again. But yes, that's helpful to know. I want to buy both kinds, and both this year, but the difficulty is which to buy now and which to save up for.

Nice! I'm jealous. I think the only thing I've ever won was a book.

Thanks for the help! Ha, I should have known the answer is both knives, not one or the other.

Thanks Bruce - do you like those slender skiving knives better than head knives for skiving? I like that they aren't so very angled. If I got a head knife, I think I'd definitely prefer the rosebud version.

Cool, I was thinking of asking him. Thanks for the picture and the review.

Thanks for the knife recommendations, David. Yes, I've seen those and wondered how they would work, especially with such a thick handle. I felt it might get in the way, but I see the yujin has a much smaller profile. Aika mentioned she got a head knife and that she loved it from here: http://www.knipknives.com/leather.php They're full tang, good steel, and the handles are good wood. I'm leaning heavily in that direction, even though they're pricey. My question is really would I like a head knife or a skiving knife better? I've never had either, so I have no idea. I'm considering the small head knife (Texas rosebud) or the angled skiving knife, but I wanted to get a feel for the designs of knife people like best for skiving. Rosebud: Angled skiving knife: @Bill, you're a genius. We're going to Texas soon. I could bring back some of those chips you like so much.

LOlL, that's hilarious. Come to think of it, I might be able to steal something from my husband's wood carving tool set. However, it's unlikely to be better than my malfunctioning super skiver.

Nice job! I also like the bit of green.

Sweet, that's a nice sheath!

Pacific Trimming has....er... expensive Riri ones.. don't know how much help that is. And they only seem to have m4 or m6..

@Karina - bandsaw, what a great idea! You should definitely finish yours. I'd love to see what design you chose, and how the vibram sole looks. @cseeger - LOL, I also enjoyed Rawhide growing up, so I think your excuse is entirely valid.

First try - I went with "variations". I decided it'd be fun to use the tutorial and template and add enough to make sandals. My pattern was a little off, but they work, and that's what counts, right? One thing, I cut too large and then got hasty and lazy shaping the heel pieces, so they're absolutely wonky. Whatevs, I decided. Also, my pathetic Tandy grooving tool was so bad I barely got the stitching flush. When these stitches wear through (very shortly, I'm sure), I'll go back with a knife and cut the groove deeper and resew around the edges. Also, I didn't use rawhide... we'll see how well these last. This was a really fun project!

Very cool. Is the bull head hollow?