Hilly

Thank you, this is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Siegels just lists 10 different sizes without pictures. The needles I have says size "000" on the package. I hope that this is not the smallest size, because I could use them as nails. I will contact Osborne and find out. Hilly

Either I haven't been paying attention, or I just haven't seen the threads you mention. I would think that for saddle stitching, harness needles are harness needles. I don't know what shape the eye would have to do with anything? Is there a better needle for saddle stitching than the egg eye harness needles?

I'm wondering where I can get smaller egg eye harness needles than the ones I'm using? I ones I have are 1.66mm or 1/16 of an inch thick. I would like thinner needles, but still be able to thread them with 4 cord waxed linen thread.

Has anyone ever tried to glue in a liner using 3m spray adhesive? What were your results? I was thinking of trying it for the lining for a holster. I don't think it would soak through, so whaddya think? Bad idea?

Well, after some experimentation, I've found that using a smaller thread has been my best solution. I was using the thread that Tandy sells, which is quite heavy. I switched to using 4 ply waxed linen, and I can now pull the harness needles through the awl holes pretty well. I even went as far as getting a hand stitching chisel to punch holes, hoping that larger holes would be the answer. I found that although the holes are a nice diamond shape, and evenly spaced, they were still visible after my stitches went in, even when I used the heavier thread from Tandy. I may still use the chisel on some heavier items I make later (cases and such), but for small items and small thread, it just does't look good to me. I have since gone back to the stitching groover and overstitch wheel. I also went to a smaller stitch spacing, which makes my stitches look neater. I tried glover's needles and although they went through the holes much easier, they also kept catching and splitting the threads because of the very sharp point. Any of you just starting out with the problem of not being able to hand stitch without the constant use of a needle nose pliers might try using a smaller thread, or getting a bigger awl (if someone makes a bigger awl). Just sayin'. Hilly

Why be sorry, Clay? There's always time for good natured fun! And yes to the customer service. I asked him if the knife came wicked sharp and he said sorta, so I said I wanted to see what a really wicked sharp knife felt like so I'd know when it wasn't. It must be wicked sharp because it was so easy to cut leather with. Easier than even a brand new razor blade in my utility knife. Now I'm all spoiled.

Why, is he like really, really SHORT?

My, aren't we the comedian?

Thanks again, Clay! You're such a peach!

I gave this one a lot of thought. After reading what everyone had to say in my other thread, I decided that I wanted one sharp out of the box, but wasn't sure about putting out a lot of money for something I wasn't absolutely certain I would like. I talked to the folks at Hidecrafter about a Danny Marlin knives, but they've been discontinued I called Clay M. in S.D., and asked if they had any Stohlman knives, and he said he was expecting a shipment in that day. After seeing the price, and the wholesale discount ($48), I decided to try one out. Clay even sweetened the deal by sharpening the knife a bit before shipping it. Now I have it, and I love it. I think I'll be buying more in the future, after I learn how to sharpen and gain more experience using it. Next time perhaps something custom made.

Well, I'm the proud owner of my first head knife. Many people here ask "What's so special about a head knife? I cut just fine with my utility knife!" I'll tell you my first impression cutting with it: It was totally effortless, and I was cutting 8-9 oz. leather! I didn't have to make multiple passes to cut all the way through. It glided around curves so easily compared to that utilitly knife! It took me about 1/4 the time to cut out a holster as it used to. I will never go back to cutting with my utility knife! I have arthritis and tendonitis in my right hand, and it made much easier for me to cut the leather. The best part is that I actually felt like working afterward, instead of running for the ice and Tylenol. Now, I have to learn how to take care of it, and I'm sure I will have to learn how to sharpen it, but with Al Stohlman's leather tool book, and some stick-to-it-ness, I'll manage. Today was a good day. Hilly

I didn't have the problem you're having with it, but I tried it, and didn't like it. I think plain ol' water works just as well, if not better. I put one drop of liquid detergent in the water, just to help break the surface tension.

We have 3 bird dogs, and it seems every single year, at least one of them tangles with a skunk. Last year it was during camping, at VERY close range, and the entire camp ground and pavillion smelled really REALLY bad! We made the dog sleep in the van because I wasn't about to allow him in the camper (as if it didn't already smell bad enough). We gave the dog a couple baths in 1qt. hydrogen peroxide to 1/4c. baking soda and 1 Tablespoon dish detergent. Lather, rinse, repeat. Took 90% of the smell off the dog. The only time you smelled it after that was if you buried your nose in his fur, or if he got wet. Not harmful to the dog like chemical treatments could have been. The van took a couple of months with the windows down till the smell went out because my husband was too cheap to buy skunk off. You can also go to your local "Petsmart" and get stuff to take skunk spray off.

Boiled onion skins make a nice brown. Puree LOTS of grass, place in pantyhose "bag" and simmer for nice grass stain green. Granny used to have a shagbark hickory tree (I think) in her front yard, which the husks would turn your hands yellow for days. Try crushed raspberry juice for red, or any other berry that stains. Mulberry makes a beautiful violet blue stain on your fingers - why not try it on leather? Crush and paint on with a brush. I just don't know how colorfast these are, but I know they all stain pretty bad (good). Try Googleing "natural dyes", and see what you come up with. My mother used to spin and dye wool, and was always ordering some kind of natural dyes out of catalogs. She could make any color of the rainbow and then some. I bet you won't have the problems of your dye freezing while being shipped like we do here in the north Good luck, and keep us posted on what you find, cuz it souds pretty interesting.

I'm no expert, but a small home machine won't sew heavy leathers like are used in many gun holsters. I have an industrial walking foot machine, and it labours to get through 2 layers of 8-9oz. veg tan leather. It might sew something flat, like a sheath, but even it will not sew shut, the end of a holster. Just my experience. There's a couple of "portable" industrial walking foot machines out there for under $1000 but I don't know about their quality. Good luck.

That's beautiful! Your daughter is gonna love it!

I was going to try making my nephew either a currior bag or brief case when he graduated college. I got the document case video by Rene Berends, and he makes it look easy. I was going to modify his plan by making the case a bit larger, adding a handle at the top, and either putting in hardware so you could attach a shoulder strap, or stitch a strap right on. Maybe I should think again about trying it....

Hide Crafter no longer carries Danny Marlin head knives

In a pinch You can also use 2 short pieces of 1x4 and a "C" clamp. Most husbands keep these hidden in the garage Just put some soft cloth over the edges of the wood to keep from marking your leather.

Sure, let's see it. I like the idea of a smaller knife. It might be easier to use than a larger one. Contact info? Thanks much, Hilly

Hi Tracy. I'm not sure how tough cattle scrotums are , so I don't know if 100 head is a good number or not. I'm just a suburban brat from the midwest 'Bout the only cattle I ever see are wrapped in cellophane in the meat dept at my local Walmart Super Store. I'll see what Jim Blain has to sell.

Hi Johanna. I joined PSLAC a couple weeks ago, and I just love all the new info I have access to. I'm not entirely sure about all the discounts from suppliers - I was going to place an order from one of the Tandy Stores mentioned on their discount pages, and was told that "They don't do that anymore, haven't done it in a long time, and to get a discount from Tandy you have to have a membership in Tandy's wholesale club". I haven't tried ordering yet, from any of the other suppliers mentioned on their site, though. Hilly

I ordered a head knife a while back from Montana Leather, and it was on backorder, so I've decided to look elsewhere. I understand that some head knives do not come sharpened. I want one that DOES come sharp from the box. I figure it's the best way to see what a properly sharpened head knife should feel like.... Anyway, does anyone know where I can get a decent quality head knife without taking out a second mortgage? I feel that anything over say.... $125 would be paying waaaaaay too much, cuz I'm che - I mean thrifty. Also, are skiving knives the same way? Do some come sharp and others don't, because I'm sorta looking for one of those, too. Thanks, Hilly

Wow! Even nicer close up! Great work!

I've made lifters out of screwdrivers that my husband was going to throw away. I made a tool holder out of a scrap of wood and a bench press. Places that make stone counter tops can be a source for "marble" slabs to tool on. They usually give away the sink cut outs for free. My father in law was cleaning out his garage, and came across enough scrap wood (that he was going to toss) to make my stitching horse.