TomSwede

Hi and Welcome Bear! Quite a nice collection of beautiful pieces you're showing us. I really like the colour on item No2 but what is it?? Tom

DROP DEAD GORGEOUS!!!!!! I have for some time been thinking about having a sharkshead the way you have the birds wings out on the sides so it was cool to see how good it looks when done like that. Not sure it'll work with a shark tough. The hole piece just rocks and I love the way you made the borders go into the design and the staining job feels just right for this one. Top of the scale for style points!! Tom

That man sure is hands on with leather! Tom

This was my first thought when I saw it, they probably mean that there was an actual person pulling the leather through. They should be sewed for false marketing Tom

Very nice!!! Since he bears the mark of a god and is one eyed there's no mistaking that this is Odin the allfather. Good choice my friend! Tom

Yeah Tom Banwell is definetly worth a mentioning. He's a member here and this is his website: http://www.tombanwell.com/ Horns on helmet and he cast them himself with metal powder and resin. Talk to him if seriously interested in casting horns for your helmet but I think you're the man to create those with one eye shut anyways! Eyelets should go fine on the upperlayer but if through both layers they could scratch the paint on the tank. I use the manual way to set eyelets and on the inside they get a bit torn and cracked. Tom

I was thinking about him a while ago! I hope he's allright and get all things worked out. I really miss seein those wonderful crazy wallets. Mike: did you read his post about his situation and abscence?

I agree with both Roo and UKRay! This is extremely well done! Were you born with a swivelknife in your hand??? Skill 100% Execution 100% Tom

Hello and welcome to leatherworker! That is a fine looking first project and the skullcrew here always appreciate a new member! Your carving and tooling is way nicer than my first projects and going with a the basket weave stamp is brave and bold. You're on your way with that and will pick up more skill with time so I focus my pointers to two other things. First thing I notice is that the stitching is not all the way around the edges but the holes are so it looks a bit unfinished and the second is that the edges are raw. Some people prefer a natural looking cut edge but I think most of us put a lot of energy into slicking them to high gloss level. If you are in the first category I'd just recommend you dye them black. Antiquing stain is good for edges but black dye will also do. If you like a really smooth and clean edges you could try wet it a bit and rub it with a cloth. Theres lot's of ways to deal with edges. I use Tandys bonefolder to rub the edges with and this can create a very high gloss to them. Tom

Yeah, it is so addictive to see what you guys and gals can come up with. Just in case you don't know, the horned helmet is a myth. I think there are none helmet whatsoever found with horns. I have no leads on where to go for a helmet nowadays so yo better google that one. I do remember one site called Swords 'n' stuff but not sure if they had helmets and such. Also search for spangenhelm. The usual construction used is called that. The Normans used a version of that one with elongated tops. Good luck! Tom

That guy is really deep!!

Nice looking bib! The laced edges relly gives it a little extra sparkle. Viewed your site too, relly cool stuff. I liked the bed. Tom

Oh really, I must try buffing more with the sheen sometime. Right now I'm giving a go with a beeswax based grease and get nothing out of it. I'm frustrated, should've sheened it. Make sure you post that bag when it's done, I wanna see it. Tom

Well it's definetly a....manbag, that's for sure Looking great alltough my personal pref would be black lace but the contrast with natural will surely attract attention to it. Nice touch with the stamped stitching grove and I always love it when cunning solutions is used instead of purchased hardware alltough that can be nice too. What did you use for finish? It's very high gloss but doesn't look like the acrylic ones so much. Reminds me of the deck on an old wooden boat. Tom

WORD!

I can see what you mean Schno. My first experiences with this also got ruined when applying sealer. The effect you got could maybe be used as a variation. Tom

So far only one belt to a customer for me, a friend at work. We measured up his waist allright but he told me to put a hole here and there, that'll do it but just in case I added about ½ inch and an extra hole just in case. When he tried the belt out it was spot on in fit however he then realised that it was good to have the extra size just in case because he loved the belt so now he's equipped for years to come. I don't think he would have noticed the extra size if I haven't told him so maybe something worth testing. Tom

Greetings and welcome Torrbuidhe! Surf around and read up on what is interesting, often one may find the best answers by reading the whole conversation following the original post. Slainte mha

Heey Spider does flowers again! Really cool looking bag and my guess is that it is for a returning customer, now I recognize that sign. Tom

Very nice quiver Roo! I've been doing so much basketweaving lately so I don't feel bothered by running out of lace and splicing however at the end it's no fun to make a splice and then right after that finish the braid so what I do if I get to this is that I cut the lace and splice on a new piece some 4-6 inches (10-15cm) before the finish. I just picked up a compound bow so now you really got me tempted... Tom

It makes all the difference seeing it "live" like this. What a superb masterpiece it is Tom

Great looking wallet! I love the front design from Sutton Hoo. Tom

Those look great Jordan! I really dig the green one with the skull and Germanic crosses. Is the skull that new craftools punch or have I dreamt that they put such a punch out?? Do you also dream about making things in leather? Tom

You can use the a-104 punch to make fine gritted contours from sand dunes etc if you tilt it very much on not pointed end and tap it very light on an almost dry leather. Then use antique's to bring up the detail level. I have just used this technique to create folds and creases to a scrollbanner and like the result. I'm keeping this project off the board for some time to come but it will be up in a couple of months. I'm posting this skull that shows a little bit of it instead. Tom

That is just amazing. I find myself stuck with looking at the naked carving. The eye is incredible, I would like to think of this as sculpting rather than carving. WOW!! Tom