DCKNIVES

This is where I get mine and they are a supplier and have a large inventory.Dave http://ostrichmarket.com/

Welcome Kathy, enjoy our llittle corner of the net.Dave

It can be done in two layers as others have said.I have not done it with coins but have used different materials such as Turquoise and Water Buffalo.They do make some large puches but that may be expensive if you are doing only one belt.A makeshift punch could be made using copper plumbing fittings and sharpening one edge of the fitting.Dave here's one I did mounting some turquoise into my sheath.I filed the edge of the turquoise to make a small lip, then cut the hole in the leather and insert the turquoise piece from behind.Dave

While it is possible to get a utility patent for a holster design, it's just not practical or affordable to the average joe.Patent attorney's are not cheap and then the patent search to find if your holster is truly unique.Then let's assume for the anology that you have made it through the process and recieve your patent.You put it on the web for the first time and someone from somewhere will start producing it.Now remember there are no patent police, you are responsible for protecting your own patent.Now to stop this person , you have to first locate him, then get an attorney ( a Federal attorney with patent experience) and sue him on his home turf not yours. All very expensive for the individual businessman.Major corporations have whole depts. and attorneys to do nothing but this kind of stuff. My suggestion would be to build it, market it, sell it and enjoy the profits.Dave

Michael, you can get single edge razor blades at most any hardware store, they use them for paint scrapers and such, for a couple of bucks for a hundred. As easy as it sounds I don't use anything to hold the leather, one hand holding and the other cutting.It won't move much if you use sharp blades.As for cutting surfaces Tandy sells a poly cutting board but any grocery store has cutting boards.For myself, I use a large thick piece of UHMW, a plastic we use at my day job.I keep the scrap pieces to use for my night job. Check here for hides and skins, tell em I sent ya. They have a huge selection and are very nice. http://ostrichmarket.com/ I do all my layout and template work on manila file folders.Once I have my sheath or holster drawn, I will cut it out then cut my leather to match.If I'm doing an inlay I take the same template and draw my "window"then cut it out. I will then transfer the "window"to the leather using a red pen( red ink disappears when using dark colors) or pencil.Cut on that line.I then burnish and finish that edge, including dyeing the edge.You can then lay that piece on your hide to find the section you wish to use.Cut it out about 1/2" bigger . If you have any more questions feel free to ask ,we'll help you through it.Dave

Very nice Jeff.Your customer should be very happy with that.Nice work on the belt too.I have turned down a couple because of not having a machine.Once I get this old Singer up and running I can do a few myself.Keep up the fine work brother.Dave

I agree with Marlon.Inlays are almost 90% of my work these days,and I use a combination of #11 Exacto's and single edge razor blades.I can get into the tightest corners then.Dave

Darryl, that looks sweet brother.Dave

Beware of Snakewood for this application as it is very brittle and splits and cracks easily, even though it is hard.Dave

Contact this company http://ostrichmarket.com/ .They are just around the corner from my day job.They also sell scraps on E-bay, but I would contact them directly and tell them what you are looking for. They supply many of the dealers at the shows and have a huge inventory.Tell em I sent ya and I hope they can help you.Dave

I agree with the others, nice job on the first one.Especially nice basketweave too.Dave

Well here I am.Dave here's a group of us Sheathmakers at the Blade Show in Atlanta this year.L-R Dave"Lifter"Abramson,Paul Long,Sandy Morrissey,Me, Dwayne Puckett, I know a few are members here

I had to look because I also do alot of inlays.They do some awesome work and all kinds.Very neat stuff.Thanks for showing us.Dave

Cool video Hammerhead, it's a shame we can't legally hunt them without the lottery.That little one you got would have been perfect sheath size.Dave

Absolutely stunning in both skill and design Anne. You are to be commended for such a great project.Love it. Dave

I do it like Brandon said.I went to Harbor Freight and got a set of hole punches and ground off half of each.It works welll.Dave

I use almost everyone of the woods you mentioned and alot more.I use alot of Cocobolo and have quite a bit of select hand picked Desert Ironwood.Those two are some of the most beautiful woods out there IMO.I use primarily natural materials for my handles. The health concerns with exotics vary with alot of people.Everyone who uses it should do your homework and take the necessary precautions.Reactions with Cocobolo can range from absolutely nothing to severe rashes and breathing difficulties and I have even read about people who have had seizures.The rosewood family of woods also have some problems.Cocobolo just makes me sneeze for a little bit then I am good to go. You should be wearing a respirator when working with exotics,simple dust masks don't always help.Dave

I too like this thread.As a knifemaker and leatherworker I am on alot of forums. It was one of these forums that Johanna contacted me through and asked that I come visit and do a tutorial on braiding. I was very happy when I came here as its a good place to learn and teach, as well as make new friends. I have done all three and hope to continue.This is one of the best forums I have been on, and that is the reason I visit almost everyday.Dave

I am sorry if I offended but we obviously feel differently about the subect.I will leave it at that, but I will answer the question. Yes, to all, but the difference is that I have purchased, seen, handled or used said product or have a friend that has done the same.Dave To the other Dave, thank you

I am sorry Mark, but your post struck a nerve.Your analogy of hiring someone to post false testimonials of your product is WAY underhanded, and if you think that is JUST marketing and everybody does it, I feel bad for you. Dishonesty is dishonesty, no matter what label you put on it.While I'm very sure that happens on forums and maybe more than I know it is still wrong.I have been at this and knifemaking almost 20 years and have found the majority of leatherworkers and knifemakers above average people who are helpful, honest,and hardworking.If you want testimonials get some product out there and see what happens.The people that frequent forums such as this are pretty acute in finding talented makers and what they want.Many forums have giveaways and fundraisers which not only helps a good cause but puts your work in someones hands.If they like what you do, they will say so.Well I have said enough, I just hope no one here thinks his business ideas are ethical.Dave

Jeff, that is some very nice work.I can tell you put alot of thought into this one.Dave

I work primarily with exotics in my sheath and holster work.I buy from a legal hide dealer here and he only carries hides legally obtained and allowed by US law.I will not use anything on the endangered list.Now, I have had a few snake people raise concerns with me, but IMHO people keeping snakes as pets are removing them from the wild as well, so I don't pay much attention to them.I just ask them to call me when the snakes die so I can get the skin,lol.Dave

Looks awesome Tom, very clean work.Dave

Very nice work Tina.Nice carving as well. Dave

Well I am not much on overlays, but inlays are about 90% of my sheath and holster work.Since I make a file folder template of each sheath, I design the "window" for the inlay on the template then cut it out and transfer that to the outer piece.I then cut that out and finish the edge including dyeing and burnishing. I then determine which part of the inlay will be seen and cut that piece out about 1/2" larger than the "window".A this point determine whether or not you are going to pad your inlay or keep flat.I have and continue to do both methods.Padding can be almost anything from the piece you cut out (trimmed down) suede,foam etc.Glue the skin to the inner liner then glue the top to the liner and sew around your window.Feel free to contact me if I can help.Dave What part of N.C. you from ? My daughter lives by JeffersonNW corner