DCKNIVES

Darren ,cut that bump in your welt out and just run it straight upon the edge line.Also make sure your welt is the same or a little less thickness than the blade, so it won't flop around as it aids in retention .Dave

Embossed is not the real thing so you probably would not notice any difference.In the real hides Gator usually has bigger bumps on his back and the scales are usually a bit bigger.Most of the croc I have seen is smaller in size too.Does your customer want real Gator?Dave

Let's put it this way, unless your very good at drawing they help.Dave

Well in this economy, I feel it's a reasonably cheap way to get some local advertising aimed at alot of your primary customers.While about 95% of my sales comes from the internet, some local sales are definately appreciated.Maybe it's just easier for me since I live close to the show, and having done Custom knife shows for so many years that I am more prepared.Table prices at our local gun show are about $70 for the weekend, whereas a typical custom knife show will run a couple hundred to over $1500 for a table, booths can run several thousand.We have a show kit thats stays ready most of the time, bring a cooler with our own food and drinks, and setup time is about 20 minutes.And despite all the tirekickers, bargin hunters, and general know it alls, it still can be fun.Dave

I have done quite a few but enjoys custom knife only shows as well.If this is your first, don't expect a sellout and count this as a learning experience.It's like going to school.Dress nice but casual, comfy shoes as you will be up alot , stand as much as you can and engage your customers and ask what they maybe looking for.I would take as much as you can have built and afford to, empty tables don't sell. At a knife only show I don't setup without at least 12-15 knives and sheaths.At gunshows I have knives,sheaths,holsters,slings and whatever else I can put up.As far as type of guns, alot depends on your area but typically Glock 19 and 1911 holsters are always popular.Advertise if you want to do custom work and what kind you'll do.Have pics or a laptop to show previous work, better yet is to have power and a slide show on a laptop showing your work all day.There is some that say don't show prices but I have prices on all my goods and will continue to do so.Remember that there will be a ton of tire kickers but it only takes one guy to make your show.At a show several years ago, I was having a slow day then a guy walked up looked around and walked away, came back bought one knife and left.He then called me the next day and purchased the 12 knives I had left.He continued to purchase over 20 knives and at least 6 holsters over the next two years.Good luck and learn alot.Dave

I made my own anvil for doing this and other things, but you can just get apiece of steel and run it down inside.Dave

Since virtually all of my work involves inlays, I line mine with veg-tan, and I glue them flesh to flesh.Dave

BigO ,looks good, nice color contrast as well.Since most of my work is inlay's ,I have a tutorial on my website under "Knife Info".Look forward to seeing some more work of yours.Dave

Awesome work Terry.Dave

Darren, I make holsters and sheaths for these folks and they are only a few miles from me.Great peaople to work with.Dave Ostrich Market

Thanks Mike, I see we were posting at the same time.Dave

Darren, if you look under "Knife info" on my site I have a tutorial on doing inlays.As far as dyeing and finishing, I burnish,dye and finish the inside edge of the "window" prior to any gluing and sewing of the inlay.I finish the rest of the piece after sewing. I use Fiebings Leather Sheen on my snakeskins, but Tan-kote will work fine. As normal whatever you use test a bit on a scrap piece to see if your happy with the results.Dave

The method I use is simply to put a couple of holes in the front of the holster and thread your thong through.You can use an oblong punch or use a round punch and do twwo holes side by side and cutout the center.Dave

I have quite a few in my Gallery as well.For folders and real small knives you can use 5-6 oz, but for most fixed blades I use 7-8 or 9-10 oz..I use a combination of sizes when doing inlays.Dave

I typically use manila folders, but I do mostly one off custom stuff .For more permanet templates I would use heavy fiberboard, or masonite.Dave

I agree with JJ.I do primarily custom knife shows, and gun/knife shows and internet.The cheapest and easiest advertising is using various forums to showcase your work. JJ covered the big expenses, but there are an absolute ton of small yet vital expenses to account for, thread, dyes, your various sizes of leather, glue and the list goes on and on.I realize your new to this, but I have to be honest, your quality needs improvement to command any reasonable prices.Your pricing while probably fitting the quality of what you are selling are ridiculously low.At those prices you are basically working for free and I doubt you are even covering your expense's.I know this sounds harsh, but in this economy folks that want custom stuff expect high quality and when you can deliver that you can price to make money.My prices average at least 5-10 times higher than anything on your site.My best suggestion for you to move forward is to spend a good couple of weeks going through this site and study everyones work, put your stuff up and get critiqued and learn.As far as pricing look at what others are charging and see if your work can qualify at that price point.Then you can do shows and let the customers decide if your work and prices are worth it. Above all keep at it and have fun, but realize that it takes time to get good at this.Dave