Sleez

would look great on a slab of Redwood Burl!! there are still some to be found up here, though getting really expensive!!

thanks again, everyone, some great suggestions and wonderful leadership here, you rock!

ToddB68, thank you as well, i will look into all of that!!

very nice!

thanks everyone, all of your advice is priceless, i will be getting my tools together in a couple weeks. look forward to delving into this hobby!!

admire all of your work, what i strive to be able to do!

camano ridge; thanks, i would like to do classic floral, celtic, basket weave designs to start. mostly saddle type decorations for holsters, sheathes and armor pieces. so an updated partial list of stuff: Razor Knife Swivel Knife Beveler Camo Tool Veiner Seeder Pear Shader Mallet (i assume?) Leather Pieces (5-6 oz to start) Edge Beveler Backgrounder Quote MultiQuote

very cool work!

thanks Chief, i do have a nice exacto box kit, many blades/saws etc. the main thing was if it made sense to buy one of those kits or just buy the individual tools. you pretty much said what i figured, the tools and stuff in the kit are usually on the cheaper side, and include stuff i may not use. be cool to have a nice list of "getting started" tools and materials. i am initially focusing on the tooling, and will learn the lacing and adding hardware (buckles, rivets, grommets) as i need to. so a partial list of stuff: Razor Knife Swivel Knife Beveler Camo Tool Veiner Seeder Pear Shader Mallet (i assume?) Leather Pieces (what should i look for s far as type/thickness etc.?)

beautiful work!

very cool, i may have to try making some of the units i used to be attached to.

beautiful work

very nice, as a newbie; how long did it take to get to that point? actual time on the project? thanks

hello, thanks for a great forum, i have spent a few days poking around. i would like to get into carving, making armor and holsters/sheaths. i am a complete beginner, i have some artistic skills, have made stained glass pieces and have been model building for years. my first question; are the starter kits that are available at Tandy worth it, or should I just buy tools etc. separately? any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. i do know i will be spending a lot of time making scrap pieces as i learn the skills, i have patience and a drive to succeed at what i start.