Jordan

That is really quite nice work, well done.

Tina Fey for VP She seems to do a better Palin than Palin.

Reminds me of a little episode from High School. There was a small group of people that were tired of the 2 party system of student government and were motivated enough to form a 3rd. we called it the Duck Party, long story short after many trials and tribulations, threats of expulsion and physical violence, we were after all just a bunch of long haired hippie upstarts out to destroy the american way of life. But with the forward thinking of some of the science and history teachers, in the classroom and in upper management meetings, we were able to vote da bums out! The party won every office except the president of the student body.(star quarterback of course). 1st thing organized was a concert with Big Brother & the Holding Company and the Elvin bishop show. It really benefited a lot of students in learning the finer points of political organizing and the legal processes in our form of government. Much better than reading some droll book on the subject in class. Ahhh.... if it were only that simple these days,,,, not a chance, what with the money, power, corruption, and sheer size involved, it was after all the early seventies and earthday was a brand new idea too. Peace.

Looks like a 65 but I could be mistaken.

The definition of poor is way up in the air, politicians seem to have one that is based on their reality, the poor working class another, and then there are the poor by choice that spend most of their energy finding the next handout. Why is it that the politicians have the best free medical care in the world and give themselves raises every year?, while most working class people cannot afford the medication that will keep them alive? Look, I spent most of the past 45 years working my self to the point I could no longer do it and live. It took me 3 years and every penny I had plus a bankruptcy due to medical bills, to fight the government for the social security disability benefits that I others of the working class have paid for all these years. So yes, I now consider myself to be in the poor working class segment of this society although I can no longer work. And it is very disconcerting to me that having never taken a handout in my life, I am now one of those that the majority of people in this country think are just out to get a free ride, when the real bums are the ones who have the keys to the asylum and are running it into the ground. Oh, but don't worry they will all walk away rich at the taxpayers expense. Depressingly bitter huh?

my own design yes, my own case no, the one I have is brown with no stamping.

# 4 looks like a leather sewing machine. Art is the resident guru and I think he will be able to give you great info.

Watched it was not impressed, It just reaffirmed my poor opinion of politico's and lawyers. I think if you want your money they took to go to the rich vote republican, if you want your money they took to go to the poor vote democrat. Given my current state of financial sparseness I guess I am a democrat now.

I finally got a Delta 14" band saw the other day, soooo it's getting close to starting my rendition of a stitching horse. If it turns out well I may consider making a few more for resale over the winter. Lots of junk on my plate right now, seems like one crisis to the next for the past few weeks, so it will be awhile for photos.

Dittio on the welcome, post lots of photos everyone goes gaga over them. I probably should have used one of those doughnuts, instead of my rawhide mallet this morning, it would have left a slightly less severe black and blue finger tip. I have got to remember to move my extremities out of the way!

Brasso, standard for military brass when I was in, a real pita lots of rubbing, I think it was psych warfare used to break a new recruit and get a good laugh.

excellent visual impact, the color is very nice. Is that the Frank James stamp from Will Ghormley (sp?)

Those are really nice looking tools, wish I had the money to buy a set, drooool !

I commiserate with you, the things you have gone through are NOT limited to ZW. Poor service, shoddy packing, unreasonable individuals, poor business practices and the list goes on and on, are prevalent across the board in every industry in the US. With the advent of the computer age, most employees have lost the ability to treat customers right, they just can't be bothered, they have more important work to do. Most jobs that required physical and mental skills, had status and personal pride attached to them, have all but disappeared, or don't pay worth a dang anymore. So it is no wonder business in America is in the crapper. Employees from the top exec. down have lost sight of who pays the bills. And the kicker is they don't really care anymore. Just interjecting my 2 cents not ment to insult anyone or any business in particular just voicing my frustration, as today has not been so swell for me neither.

From what I know about it, which is very little, publishing at a commercial level is very expensive and very risky, for every magazine you see at places like B&N there are probably 10 that failed right away and many more that fade away within a year or two. An example would be the recent custom cycle builders magazine Chopper Build, only lasted about a year. You would think that there is enough cycle enthusiasts out there to make it viable but advertising dollars are maybe more important than readers/subscribers. Even the ones that have been around for years have had a roller coaster ride.

Yumpin yiminy, another scandahoovian, yahh shure, ever been to minni sota funny how we americans can come up with these terms of endearment for our heratidge.Sorry for the hijak of the tread sometimes I get carried away.

My family calls it cumlah, klug is a name a friends family called it, they actually stuffed long cheesecloth tubes with the mix then boiled it. It is essentially heavy potato and flour dumplings about fist size, cooked in salt pork broth. I was told it originated with the Norse fishermen as it would not spoil when packed in barrels and salted down. There is a site I found but can not remember the name (it was a couple of years ago), that was related to Norwiegen cooking, and geneology, there was a section on recipes passed down through the years in immigrant families in the U.S. Try search for Klubb or Kumle with an umlout over the e apparently a northern specialty for the holidays.

Somebody let Taunton Press know about it, then I could have Fine Leatherworking to go along with my Fine Woodworking and Fine Home Building magazines. I better get busy and make some more book cases as they are all full to overflowing as it is.

Equal parts peeled and finely grated potatoes (russets) and white flour, lots and lots of mixing with a big wooden spoon ( a food processor can be used but the texture is just not right in my opinion) salt and pepper to taste, boiled in a water and salt pork broth (that has been bubbling for quite awhile) for about an hour or when they kinda float they are pretty much done. I usually make 5 lbs at a time. Watch out for boil over, happens at least once each time I make it. I had to rely on the recipe as passed down from an aunt, as my grandmother passed before I could get it directly from her. Serve hot with the salt pork and a mug of dipping broth. Mmmmm absolute early morning heaven, sliced and fried in butter with over easy eggs and bacon. Funny story.... It has been used as a kind of right of passage or welcome to the family as a perspective soul mate meter by myself and my siblings over the years. worked pretty good for me, 1st one hated it only lasted a year, second one loved it and has been 26 years and still going strong. Same for my brother and sister. LOL

thanks very much for the information. a couple of notes, I will be using a machine to sew and the customer has a design that she wants tooled on one of the panels so I picked out the thinnest vegtan that I could but still be able to tool the design. I will post some photos this week when I progress in the construction. The lining she supplied is a dark brown velour type of cloth that she wants tight to the back of the leather rather than a loose fitting bag inside a bag. So I guess glue is the way to go.

I have been asked to make a purse, it is a pretty simple design, a front and back panel that is 10" wide and gently curved on the sides, it is 7" tall with a 3" wide single piece for the bottom and sides, kind of like the stirrup purses I have seen posted . I am thinking of sewing it inside out then turning it right side out. I am hoping this will hide the stitching and give it more of a rounded over look. The top is open with no flap, and the strap will be a satin material that goes through grommets and ties in a bow at each end. I also am trying to figure out how to finish the top edge to hide the lining, do you think that folding it over to the inside and gluing will be a decent way to do this? I am trying to avoid exposed stitching as much as I can. I don't have any photos yet but I hope this description will be enough to get some ideas. Thanks.....Jordan

I have the older style handcrank model and 3 wheels. I don't use it a whole lot and the wheels are pretty expensive. Embossed Belts don't sell for more than 25 30 dollars around here. I am happy with it and it is one of those things that when you need it, it's nice to have it on hand. The newer one is more versatile as the end is open which means you can use it to do borders and as a strap cutter and not limited to strap and belt embossing.

Don't forget the lefsa, and Klug. Probably why my blood pressure is high, all those potato dumplings and salt pork broth. My family calls it cumlah, even had a song to the tune of the koolaid commercial. Pretty silly but brings back good family memories.

About a year ago, I dyed a holster blue then black and it is definitely blacker than black dye alone.

Other than stuff already said I would use Copper rivets if at all. They are softer metal and there would be less damage to the blade over time. I know nothing of sheaths other than what I have read and the one I made and the copper rivet thing is mentioned in a lot of writings. Overall it looks pretty good and the stitching is well done even with a machine.