Rayban

"Finally, its purely a matter of aesthetics, but does anyone know what pattern to cut the leather to get the olde tyme looking blackjack that is shapped roughly like a miniture punching bag; or slightly elongated light bulb ?" That sounds to me like a cunk of lead encased in leather.....if not, do what I did for the pattern shown above....I saw one I wanted to try to dupe, tried it, and it worked out.

The other side is rounded....identical to what you see....I filled it with #6 bird shot. I poured it in thru the opening at the top of the handle.......poked at it with a stick so it would pack in, then stitched the top line you see below the grommet, then grommet, then the upper most line of stitching. Simple, you can make one in half an hour if you dye last. RG

I bought a couple old stitching awls that need some sharpening.....I'd like to see/hear the correct way of doing so. They look to be very solid and there's still some work left in them....I just need to get them sharp....recommendations please!

I found one, thanks!!

I think I would try USMC black over the eco flo, then satin sheen it.

David, have you ever considered using Sam Brown buttons for a bracelet closure? I've often thought that would be kinda cool, just never got around to trying it. (Tandy item #1309)

I was wondering why there was no picture....thought maybe it was one of those copy right issues....??

Nice!...good job and matches the saddle real good too.

Solution, Fiebings Professional Oil Dye, does the job, smells even better..........screw that eco-friendly tree-hugging quiche eating card carrying still living with Mom movement. Hope this helps.

Neat stroy No Bears....you must have all your Dad's tools?? The good stuff, right? My kidz haven't shown any interest in doing the work, but they think the things I do are pretty cool.

Well dahhhhhhh....everyone knows you can't dye a spirit..... Seriously, go to the Dyes, Antiques, Stains, Glues, Waxes, Finishes and Conditioners. forum, then search "spirit dye"...make sure you use the quote marks.....I got several related threads.

I will be going down for a day to check out the displays...will they all be out on Wed.??? I prolly won't know til that week which day (Wed., Thurs., or Fri.) I can sneak down there.

I can't find Bob's phone # right now but someone will be by shortly with it, I'm sure. If you want round holes, why not drill them like so many others do anymore? The diamond shape of the awl helps cut through the leather...I've never used a round one. But I've been using Bob's for a couple months now and I'm very happy with it...he and his wife are nice to talk to people so just discuss with them what you intend to use the awl for and they will send you the one you need.

Ya know....... you know these things but it just doesn't sink in till someone comes along and slaps you up long side the head with it...... The "consistency" thing I'm talking about......I started concentrating on this and it has really helped...I tend to "wiggle" the awl in the hole just a bit to reem it out somewhat on some projects....well I've been concentrating on doing the wiggle the same way every time.....and it's also just as important to extract the awl in the same angle as it is to stab at the same angle. Thanks Marlin!! Here's my latest. Not perfect, but a whole lot betta!

I've been looking for the same person in SE Mich....no luck yet.....even the local Tandy store has no leads for me.

Tat, get this book...great one....

Thanks just the same KMAN...I appreciate the gesture.

Here tis: http://www.wolfcamera.com/product/EP450946...source=Shopping

I need a Boy Scout stamp to use on a project....it would make the customer extremely happy if I could come up with one. I thought about carving it but it would be too small and I would make a mess out of it.... Any help out there?? Thanks! RG

YES!!. that would help...let's do r.

Tim, you know those bolo ties??? they are usually some sort of round braid....I have lots of leather lace I would like to make sumpin with....figure maybe lanyards, etc. but I don't know how.....can you help?? Thanks!!

They're called "saps", used primarily for close urban combat before guns became the weapon of choice. Cops used to carry them to subdue unruly bad guys. I understand they are now illegal to carry in most states. As I understand it, when they are filled with bird shot they are called saps, when filled with something solid, like lead, they are called blackjacks......they can also load the handle part with some spring steel....ouch! Note: the night I made that one I was showing it to the wife and started massaging her shoulders with it, she liked....scored some serious points that night!

Yes Dave, I've only made a couple and the collector I made them for seemed to be quite satisfied with them. The most time consuming part of it was packing the bird shot into it before stitching it closed. But they are quite easy to make.

New Hobby.....when I see something on this forum or on someone's web site that I like enough to want to try making for myself, I usually mention my intentions to that maker....(so far, no lawsuits), but I don't believe I have to.

Tina, do you have to register such work with a copyright office of some sort?