DCKNIVES

Nice job Mike.Consider yourself lucky,try keeping a knife/leather shop clean.My dust has dust.Dave

Thanks, Corey I made the core like I would for any sheath with a fairly close welt so it doesn't move much.Maybe not as PC but it is safer and more functional in my opinion.Dave

Having just finished this replica of an 1860's Soiux indian knife for my customer, he requested a heavily fringed sheath, so here is the result.I used veg-tan for the core and braintan deer for the outside and the fringe.Dave

David, it was not told to me what exactly the acetone does, but I assume it helps in drying out the skin.I just know that it worked for me.Numerous is about 5-6 times for my work, and yes I did both sides.Dave

Got any pics of the knife to be carried? Garters are usually cool for this type of carry if the blade is not to big.Dave PM sent

Nice design Goldwing, but I suggest two things. Don't run your inlay under the belt loop as the thin snake will wear through in pretty short order and your skin is upside down.Dave

Your not going to have much luck with that setup.The setup RDB talks about would be a good one and economical.Sanding edges requires slower speeds and I use my Variable Speed belt sander which works great but is not cheap.I also make knives so it was needed but at $2500 might be to pricey for most leathersmiths.Dave

I have picked up a couple of those from the Ostrich Market.The last time I was over there Hank was showing me a guitar strap done with one real wide looked good.I did a couple of rifle slings, and will possibly do some cuffs.Dave

I personally like to add flames to mine.Dave

While those methods will work, if you need something quicker you can use Ferric Chloride (circuit board etchant,available from Radio Shack)and water solution.I use it on steels, brass,and copper when doing period pieces.Dave

You can try here , they have loads of them.Dave Concho's

That looks great brother.Dave

My wife has been making them on a regular basis, she did well right before Valentine's day.She uses acrylic paint for coloring and I make a few leaf cuts in the leaves with my swivel knife before forming.Dave

Attaching at this point may prove difficult to make look good. When I design a sheath with a frog, I typically attach the frog to the beltloop, and make it a seperate piece.Since there is no strength inlvolved in using the piece to display a concho, you might get away with with simply gluing it to the belt loop and putting in a couple of small tacks into the welt from the back.I have seen this done and it looked pretty good.Another trickI use is to notch the edge the thickness of the collar and wet form it around the main body,tis makes for a much slimmer look.Dave

As you have seen, shark can be tanned to various stages.I have seen it like you described (in the old days ,it was used as sandpaper or so I was told),I have seen it sanded smooth and dyed and a more supple pattern,but alot of this also depends on the species used which there are several hundred.For the most part it is fine as is but Lexol works well as a conditioner.Dave Here is a Glock holster recently done in Shark

Looks good brother.Dave

I don't have any specific patterns but if you need them,Ring's Blueguns manufactures a Thompson and a Garand replica.Dave

Just finished up these two knives and sheaths.The first one is inlaid in Prarie Rattler and laced in a two color basketweave pattern.The second one is inlaid with two simulated dice I made out of ivory.Dave

That's alot of work for one day, but it's hard to say no to a soldier.I remember doing something similar a few years ago when a Sargent I knew told me he was leaving Iraq for the fifth time just in time for the Blade Show.I was able in the 11th hour to knockout a knife/sheath to gift him at the show.Lot of work but it was all worth it upon seeing the smile on his face.Dave

Nice ,clean work as always.Dave

Rick,many remove the scales, but for most projectsI prefer to leave them on becuase I like the texture.If you leave them on they need some extra protection .I use about 4-5 liberal coats of Fiebing's Leather Sheen.Just taking a rag and rubbing the opposite way will loosen a bunch, then just use some tweezers and they will come right off.Dave

I use Fiebing's Leather Sheen on all my snakeskins.Dave

Hi Max, I don't think there is a best way to do it just alot of good ways that depends on the user and the knife.From my experience and my customers I usually like a bit of angle put into the loop and if in the small of the back raise the sheath a bit above the belt.I usually sew mine but these could easily be done with snaps as well.Dave I glue one side of the loop to the sheath and sew it to the back then fold over the loop and sew the other end.

Nice Bruce,the only two things I would different are my personal choices.I do agree with stitching around the loops and I personally like my gun to sit deeper in the holster.That said I agree with you on the choice of guns.I also use a 1911 Govt. model as well.I have a Colt replica for doing the cowboy stuff.Dave

It really works the best witha very fine tooth blade,hence a metal blade versus a wood cutting blade.I made the table for my bandsaw so the slot is very narrow so no I don't have to support it,but with a wide gap on your table just get some scrap wood to set the skin on for support.Don't know never tried a sroll saw on it,just use a fine blade.Dave