Hilly

Henley Manufacturing sells beader blades for $37 for a 1/8 inch. They also sell 2 different size shafts for different swivel knifes. They gaurantee that you will like it, or they will refund your money, including shipping and return shipping. They are currently out of stock, but they will be making more in the very near future. I put in an order a week ago for one, and was told that I would get it in about 3 - 4 weeks. I have a Tandy swivel knife - the one that comes in a kit, so made sure and ordered the 7/32" shank size. I just thought it was worth a short wait to save some $$$. Hilly

I think they call it a "man purse".

Marlon, thanks for the little tutorial. I hope some day soon I will get the nerve to try to touch up my new head knife on a stone. Seems that every time I've ever tried to sharpen something on a stone, it comes out duller than when I started. I'm sorta scared to try it. I've already had it get a little dull, and I pulled it through a ceramic sharpener a couple times on each side of the blade. It shaved hairs off my arm afterwards. I don't know it will work in the long run, though. Maybe I've found a shortcut? I'll keep you informed. Hilly

Looks like you're off to a great start! Your hand saw will be proud to wear it! When I first came here, I felt a little shy about posting, too, but I've learned that nobody here will bite. Every one here is very helpful, and kind. They are also good if you need a critique or helpful criticism on your work. Stick around and post more photos of your work as you do more projects. We all love photos! Hilly

Those are really nice! Is there insulation in them to keep the drinks cool? Do you buy a pattern, or did you make your own?

Get the book "How to Make Holsters" by Al Stohlman. Tandy sells it. It gives very good detailed instructions on how to pattern a holster. The only changes I would make to the instructions in the book is to add an extra 1/4" to the pattern around the trigger guard area and chamber area, and to add about an inch in length to the leather at the end of the barrell. After you make a few, you might want to start adding a narrow strip of leather along the inside of the holster where you stitch it together. It makes the holster fit even better, and you can probably stop adding the extra 1/4" for the trigger guard/chamber area on your pattern. Have fun!

Yes, he is out of town, and won't return until next week.

Siegels has some pepple background tools https://www.siegelofca.com/view_cat_product...&curpage=11 I don't know if they have the smaller one, also, but you could always call them and find out.

They're saying, "Da-yam, that flash is bright!"

Sure are ugly at that age. They remind me of aliens. After about 2 more weeks, they look like this dove chick.

I have a dumb knife story of my own... My husband had left a cool looking knife laying on the table, and being the nosey wife I am, I picked it up and was looking at it, wondering what that little button was for. I pressed that little button to find that it was not a regular knife, but a stilletto. The blade came out of the handle with enough force to go halfway through my hand.

Well, I've used my new head knife and a skiving knife I bought not long ago. I noticed the head knife taking a bit more effort to cut through leather with, and decided to touch up the edge a bit. Belive it or not, I ran it through a ceramic sharpener a couple times on each side of the blade, stropped it, and now I can shave the hairs off my arm with it again. The sharpener I used had a very steep angle, and I could not see daylight under the edge of the head knife when I ran it through. I don't know how good this is for the blade, but I'm a total redneck when it comes to sharpening, and I figured if it sharpens my fillet knives good enough then maybe it will work on my head knife. It worked great. Next, I moved on to the skiving knife I got, which wasn't all that sharp. I ran it through the ceramic sharpener a few times, and shaved some more hair off my arm. I saw one tiny shiny spot on the edge of the blade, so thought I'd run it through one more time before I sropped it. I set the knife in the groove, and when I pulled it back, the blade slipped and sliced deeply into my index finger between the first and second knuckles. Oops. Guess Mom was right when she told me not to play with knives . Now, I feel bad for being so darn dumb, and I'm hoping you all will share your dumb stories with me to make me feel better. Misery loves company, ya know!

You mean, when you pull the cardboard off the leather, all the cement STAYS on the cardboard??? How does the leather stick to it then? Do you have trouble with your edges coming up? I've tried cementing to xray film, and I think I prefer the tape method because the back of my project came off the xray film feeling like a rubber pancake

Beautiful work! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks, Whinewine. I realise that Tandy sells the ceramic double line blade, but I'm not sure it's exactly what I'm looking for. I want a blade that leaves a 1/8" wide rounded bead. I'm not sure what the blade from Tandy does... It may just leave a flat line between the cuts, or it may be really narrow?

Thank you! $37 is better than $60!

Never mind! Rober Beard sells them for $60. Quite pricey, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do! Here goes my hobby money for the next couple weeks!

After oogling and drooling over some album covers with Sheridan carving and beaded borders, I've decided that I would like to get a hold of a 1/8 inch beader blade for my swivel knife. Does anyone know of a ready source? I know Tandy does not carry them, and Hidecrafter is out of them, and don't know when/if they will get more. If I can get one already made it would save me the hassle/cost of having one custom made. Either way, I just GOTTA HAVE ONE! I'm sure others of you are familiar with that feeling.... I'll keep my fingers crossed.... Hilly

Wow! Very nice!

Bruce, Those frames are beautiful! You are a very talented artist. The frame I was thinking of was very simple: Natural veg tan with some type of simple corners added or tooled. A bit more formal, yet very simple. I think it would really compliment a portrait, instead of competing with the subject. Does that sound hard to make? As far as the backissues go, I would love to have a copy of what you have. I love learning all about the stuff you can do with leather, and can't seem to get enough info. Thank you! Hilly

Indy, you are absolutely correct in that it was a video and not a book I've been looking for! My brain must be getting addled in my old age or sumthin'. Thank you, I thought I was losing my mind!

My other hobby is photography, and I will be taking a few portraits this weekend. I was thinking of covering a picture frame in leather, but can no longer find the book on how to do it. Hide Crafter used to carry it. Does anyone here have a copy they want to part with, or know where I can get one? I've looked at H.C., Tandy, Montana leather, Springfield leather, and a couple booksellers with no luck.

I've been studying photos of a couple of gorgeous book/binder type covers that someone posted here a while back - possibly before the crash. They were carved in the Sheridan style with carved wavy borders that resemble piping or beading. One was a "Memories" book, and the other a book with "Registrations" on the binding and a "brand" type of design on the back cover. Perhaps someone here remembers them. They were each made from 3 pieces of leather, and stitched together to form 1 large cover. Anyway.... I won't infringe on the maker's copyright by posting the pics... I'm wondering how those wavy borders were made? Each one consists of 2 parallel lines which give the effect of one bead line. It almost looks as if someone used a creaser to make the lines so even, but the lines also appear to have been carved and beveled. Is there a tool that will carve wavy parallel lines??? And how did they bevel to make the "bead" appear so round? Every time I've ever tried to get that effect, it ends up looking like a 3 year old tried it. I'd like to make a wedding album for my niece's wedding this fall.

Thank you, Jim! You just answered a whole lotta questions I had! I am going to get some smaller needles! I also began stitching the way you have explained, and I can now stitch without laying down the awl, though I'm still quite clumsy at it. I'm sure it will get easier with time.

Gun shows are not necessarily good places if you want to sell something for a reasonable price. Everyone I've talked to wants prices like Cabela's catalog. I tell them that most of the holsters that Cabela sells are made outside of the U.S. by someone earning $2 an hour. They don't care as long as they don't have to shake the cobwebs outta their wallets. Just my experience.