rdb

Nobody can say whether you're in too deep, even the new to leather people can sometimes astound us with how good they do. Doing a search right here on the forum for "braiding", "multi-colored braid", and others like that will bring up a wealth of information for you to assess if doing this project is something you want to attempt. A good example link to start might be this topic: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...amp;hl=braiding As far as paying the $200, I'm not sure of the size of this bag, but lacing in the gusset could be many hours, especially with the multi-color, so depending on the hourly rate, it actually could run that high, or you could find someone willing to do the lacing for cheaper...dunno. Before you pay out though, maybe by reading up on it, or buying some braiding books, might make you at least want to try doing it yourself first. Time and Patience would be the key to a nice job. Maybe try some simpler braid a few times for an understanding of the process, and then, well, just dive in. You never know until you try. Good Luck, and I'm sure the braiders will chime in with much more specifics, and helpful info..

I won't be able to attend the classes in Ashville, but WOHOO!, according to the Oct newsletter, there's going to be special tutorials at Zack White's in Ramseur....Thanx for this....

Thanx Tom, Ian. That's why "Show Off" exists. Everybody needs a pat on the back once in awhile...lol Yep Ian, I'm getting busier every week. It ain't enough to make a living yet, but I'm working at it twice as hard than when I get paid for a job...sheesh...lol

Thanx Brad, I'm sure you'll do just fine. Here's a few clearer ones...hope they don't show all the mistooks...lol

Guy owns a Country Western Club outside of Raleigh. He plays there occasionally, too. He wanted a 52" with just basketweave, his initials, and 3" wide at the shoulder, with lining...so that's what he got. Ain't custom Leather great...lol. Bull Hide, with garment leather (reversed) lining. 277 nylon on the Artisan. Sunburst dye made of Saddle Tan first, Light Brown along the edge, and Hi-Lite as the antique. Total time was 7-8 hrs. I don't know if that's good or bad, but that's what it took. Pics may not come out great...fading light, and I think I wasn't close enough. But in real life, it looks pretty good. Thanx fer lookin'

Classic! I love this stuff. Good lines, simple construction done well. You can't ask for better. I am so glad you are sharing these things with us. I hope, in the future, you may be willing to share some construction techniques. But, if nothing else, the pictures are inspirational. Thanks again.

Of the two choices, I would lean towards visiting the store...touchy-feelly, etc. Most Stores have a good handle on helping you get started, after all, that's what they are there for. You'll be able to see the tools, and kits, and with a little conversation, you would have a much better chance of knowing what it is you want to do. You may not want to do the carving. Maybe you would rather sew, or stamp, or some other aspect, after you looked around. Not to mention the classes they may hold on site. If they order the kit for you, it will be delivered to their store, so no shipping, you just pick it up, if it's close enough. Just don't bring more money than you want to spend. Don't forget, they are sales people... Good luck, and keep us posted. I'm sure others will chime in with good advice.

Okay, I'll be the devil's advocate. IF I were to attempt this, I would use ONLY an organic rawhide, or rawhide lace...meaning, no lye, ash , or lime, just elbow grease to remove the flesh and hair layers. Dried in the sun, shaped when wet, but not soaked. Considering that all rattles for kids today are made from petrochemical plastics, or metals, I'm going to step out on a limb and say, "How bad can this really be?".

This is what's called in the saddle trade, a "San Carlos" border. It can be made with several types of "meander" tools, found at places like Tandy, or other suppliers, or toolmakers. Not sure if that exact tool is being made, but you could have one made if you have the need to duplicate exactly. Do a search right here on this board for "San Carlos", "meander", or "border tools", and there will be many mentions, and tips as to how to do this.

Good looking treasure. He'll be real proud, and his imagination will soar. All he needs now is a "Fanner 50"

Nice job!!!! All the thought and planning has paid off in spades. The incremental snap positioning is simple and effective, I would think. The three colors add a nice touch.

All of the above is good information for you. If you are "textually" challenged like me, maybe my pic tutorial might help a little, too. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=4416

I like the scabbards a lot. Wish I had one in my tree days. There's nothing wrong with rivet construction, especially for a work tool. A few simple additions, and the scabbard should work well for a lot longer. You can easily add a few more rivets to the non-tooth side of the scabbard, for strength and durability. On the tooth side, you need only cut and add a few .5 inch wide pieces of leather, as a welt. Rivet through the welt (you may have to use a longer copper rivet) to secure, and voyla, it should hold up well. The leaf theme seems just right.

My simple way is to use firefox 3.03. It has the ability to "tag" each saved bookmark. Tag your bookmarks right, and you can do easy searches based on the tags. I.E.: "suppliers", "hardware", "tutorials", "western", "sheaths", etc.

What a great looking bag, Ed. Steps the Maverick up a hundred notches. Be prepared to have to make thousands of them.

as a 3000 owner, I'm biased, but in this case, I would tell you to go new. Same money for an older machine... with little advantage? You should check around, though. I have seen a good 7 go for less than half new artisan. I also don't believe the 7 can sew the depth of an artisan..it might do 7/8th of an inch, I think. I saw these in use at a lot of sail lofts. They are not a saddle/tack machine. Support is terrific for the 3000. Good luck with your decision.

Thnx WVTriker. Sometimes I just overthink things, this one maybe one of those times. The brown one is a vertical carry.

Neither one is all that special, nor very good. I made a lot of mistakes, and probably bad choices in design, but I learned a lot. The bowie was a tough one. 8/0oz Bullhide, mix of walnut oil dye, and neatsfoot. Finish is colorless Harness dressing. Drilled holes and handstitched. Never did that drilling stitch holes before, realized afterwards that the leather builds up on the bit, and makes the holes too big. Cleaned off the bit, and things went back to normal. The customer wanted to horizontal back carry. He's wide, but I have my ideas, it ain't gonna work. Never did see anyone pull this off successfully. It can also be carried vertically. The way I have it figured, the belt slides into the first two pant loops, then into the sheath loop. Comes out the square hole , through the center back belt loop, then into the sheath again, and then through the rest of the pant loops. This is a tough way to do it, but very tight, and secure. It keeps the knife as close to the body as I could get. I thought about loops and snaps, criss crosses, etc, easier but not as life protecting secure, I thought. (Did I mention, this is for for a soldier). I still haven't decided if this is the one he gets, or not. It might just go in the heap pile. The dark one is just a molded bridle leather (chestnut side) for a tactical vertical carry. I still have to install a tension screw. No snaps cause he wants a fast draw. Both knives have a short "backstop", sweat shield, whatever you want to call it. Makes the knife easier to grab, less protrusion. Sure would like to see your varieties of big knife horizontal carry examples, if any. Post 'em...critique these, throw out suggestions, it's all good. I'm stuck between regaining my skills, making a living, and practicing new things. Sometimes it works, sometimes it don't. I'll check back in a bit, got to make a concealed carry/off duty belt.

For me, I wouldn't use anything I wouldn't eat. I wouldn't eat dog, cat, or monkey, but that's just me. All over the planet people eat those very same things, and more. Now this either proves that the world is filled with unethical people, or ethics is very subjective. And in extreme cases, Survival will always outweigh ethics. No matter our choices, there is always something wrong with that choice. Choosing hemp farming to replace oil products, like polyester, or nylon rope would probably do more good than harm. Among other things, it would mean more acreage would need to cultivated, thereby destroying more natural landscape. There is no free ride... I'm pretty tired of people telling other people what's right or wrong. There isn't a one of us who knows better than the next person. The only thing we should be doing is discussing a problem, and trying to solve it together.

It's just Feibing's Walnut Oil Dye. I mix it into neatsfoot oil, then apply. I get mine at Zack White's, but I'm sure it's sold at all the usual suppliers.

It appears to me from these not so clear pictures, to be a red thread line. There are "in and out" shadows, and they don't quite correspond with the stitch line above, so they must be their own stitch line. Some say I was wrong once, but they must have been mistaken...lol

Well this work? http://www.eleatherworks.com/product.php?p...=725&page=1

Welcome Steve! You've come to the right place. There's a wealth of Information here coming from the Skilled craftsmen, as well as the new folk. It sounds like you and your brother have quite the little library all on your own, hopefully we can all learn from each other. Don't forget pictures!

Good catch Jordan. It's pretty much what I have made to take to the fairs and such, but definitely built stronger, what with the steel, and such. Mine I built about a year ago, thrown it in the truck dozens and dozens of times, beaten on with sledges, etc, still ticking. The plans for this one should last years and years

Nice job Luke! Looks clean and that WC leather looks good...hmmm might have to breakdown and try some