Double Daddy

Phenomenal work...excellent choice of materials...they work well together.

I agree. Perhaps I'm just a bit nostalgic but I prefer having the physical book in my hand...thus the reason I keep having to buy bookshelves to keep all of them on...it's about the only thing I hoard. Now...if I could just convince my kids that our trips to the local library are for wondering thru the stacks and not for heading straight to the Ipads and computers, I'd be golden...such things are distractions from the intended purpose of our excursion. Glad you found your book, dikman...that one's on my list as well. Happy Reading!

I appreciate you taking the time on the progress pics, Josh. It's always a pleasure to see your finished pieces...to see the goods as they are being made is very enlightening...much to be learned from the sharing! Such detailed stamping always seems intimidating in its final form...but when it can be viewed in-progress it's much less a monster for us amateurs! Like the others, I anxiously await more pics and the finished holsters...many thanks!

Fine job on the wallet...per your usual standard. I especially like the camouflage/seeder detail...probably gonna steal borrow that idea...thanks for the inspiration!

Heirloom work! I'd be more than proud to carry mein boon companion in that rig...best compliment I can think of. And like Mike, I appreciate the construction details...

Thanks, Wiz! The 227 is actually on the short-list...contending against the Consew P1206RB...still scraping together some more coin in the equipment budget and still figuring out exactly where things are going on that end...then another phone call to Mr. Kovar. The 227 does appear a bit more versatile, ergonomics-wise, if'n I needed to sew something awkward...such is the advantage of cylinder arms, I reckon. Thanks, as always, for your knowledge!

What ever'body (and especially JLS) said. I started my machine journey with a CB3200 from Toledo...doing holsters, belts and other similar thickness gear with the mindset that that would be what I always wanted to do. Now that my hobby has blossomed into a jobby/side business, here comes "lighter" items like wallets, small bags and other accessories (by request) that I have tired of tinking with my machine's settings all the time (tension, thread, etc) to change between product runs. Now I'm shopping for a lighter duty "little brother" for the CB3200 to handle the thin stuff and leave it set for the heavier gear. Think out what you intend to do...shop with that in mind, if you can.

Stunning craftsmanship...l like that you chose a rectangular shape rather than the typical square layout...and the button studs for the corners are a nice touch.

I can't see a single thing wrong with it...other'n it ain't mine! Mighty fine craftsmanship...

Seek out his past apprentices (references) and see if they have any guidance for this particular task...not give-aways, mind you, because that would be cheating and you wouldn't learn anything...just suggestions since the "master" doesn't seem too keen on mentoring at this phase of your instruction. Following this to see where the rabbit hole leads...

Best to you, sir, on your well-earned retirement! Like many others, I have enjoyed seeing your posts and fine handiwork. Enjoy those grand-young'uns, traveling and that pickin 'n grinnin'! As machinehead said...don't be a stranger!

This is a really good template from which a person could easily stretch/expand any of the dimensions as desired to suit their particular needs...thanks for posting!

How fortuitous...I just went to the Dollar Tree the other day...they had these exact style clips for $1 per pack...quantity varies depending on the size (8-10pcs for the medium or large ones)...WallyWorld and the other big box office supply chains want way more than that for the same thing. As I said before...I've been using these black clips for milled oil-tanned mock-ups (I'm working on some new tote, portfolio & accessory designs) and other leathers that don't show marks quite so much or on simple little items where I'm not gluing the edge but need a strong hold before sewing...your little "guard" will help expand my use of them. Thanks again!

Well...isn't that just nifty! gonna file that little piece of ingenuity away for my own use...thanks for sharing!

Quality craftsmanship, CanuckAmuck. I like the design...lots of open and closed pocket storage area for the user to pick from...with the key fob right at the top where it should be, where a person can reach them without having to dig around in their stuff (although, granted, there are other locations to put this feature). I agree with you on a few points: strap adjustability would be handy...perhaps going a touch larger in bag size would be nice (the outdoor pics don't really hint at that, do they?). Overall, very nice!

I've tried binder clips before...too much tension for my use...so I switched to wooden & spring clothes clips...just the right amount of pressure & super cheap at the local dollar store. I keep a bin of a 150 or so on my bench for holster/wallet/accessory work. I still keep the binder clips around for the milled leathers and projects where I need grip...but most of the time the wooden ones are enough. YMMV

I like it! I've got a couple tote designs "on the drawing board" myself...debating whether to simply copper rivet the handles in-place or combine that method with sewing as you've done here. Your bag looks great...the choice of materials should age beautifully over time as well.

I have a CB3200...bought from Bob at Toledo Sewing back in 2013...I get quite a bit of use out of it...still have to get the lap pony and gloves out every now and then for some hand-sewing...just no substitution in some cases. I'm looking to get a lighter duty machine to add to the fleet in the near future as my "jobby" expands into a more profitable venture...its been a fun journey.

Clean and simple...I like it! Do you hand sew exclusively or do you have a machine for your larger projects (bags, etc)?

I've looked at that pattern several times myself...pondered over whether or not to invest in it or if the plans were worth the $S$ or decent in execution for the asking price...it's nice to see someone else's results...thanks for sharing the fact that you took the chance and that it clearly paid off.

Yep, as Mutt said...she'll be able to use that for a good long while...probably pass it down to someone as an heirloom piece...can't put a value on something like that. Great craftsmanship!

Ingle - as always, you never cease to amaze with your craftsmanship and styling. Fine work!

Beautiful heirloom sentimental piece, Madmax...much to be proud of in that project...and also very hard to put a price on for those reasons. Gary's range is probably the minimum fair starting price (for a stranger). If I were doing it for a close friend or family and the project were near 'n dear to me, I've been known to give the stuff away...working on a couple similar such projects now...what goes around, comes around, I figure.

Great work! As previously mentioned, you definitely deserve high praise for not getting black dye on the back side of that black belt...that stuff wants to migrate everywhere!

Boriqua - this is exactly the reason I love this forum...folks freely sharing knowledge across the expertise spectrum for all comers! Many thanks for your time in putting together this write-up. Your post reminds me of another leatherworker (Odin Clack's) answer to a similar question recently when asked the best way to get started in this hobby...I'll paraphrase his response..."Get some inexpensive material, a few basic tools & supplies and start making a few simple projects to expand your knowledge base and skillset (pattern making, hand-sewing, edge burnishing, etc) ...don't insist on having a lot of fancy equipment to enjoy leathercraft." Odin is burning the candle at both ends right now, working full-time in his new workshop and showroom...all that in only about 5-6 years from starting his "hobby." That's drive! Great advice!