oldtimer

During Christmas I found an unfinished knife project , that I started making maybe 10 years ago, so I decided to get it done. The style of knife and sheath is a traditional Laplander (Sami) design, found all over Northern Scandinavia,(Sweden, Norway, and Finland. The blade is a Norwegien, Helle knife factory, laminated steel. The handle is made from reindeer antler and olive wood ( traditionally curly birch). The sheath is made of a reideer antler and the sheath leather is reindeer, with a special spruce bark tanning and with a rawhide core to keep it stiff. The knife is supposed to swing freely on the belt . / Knut

I have examined two Colorado saddlery roping saddles ( removed the seat leather). The ground seat consists of a tin plate and a thin piece of leather, so the riders were sitting on two rows of nailheads . What the eye doesn´t see........ . IMO they are not better or nor worse than any production saddle. The reason why I took them apart was that the owners got " a pain in the ass ". ( Made and sold two new saddles) / Knut

The tensioners should only be used one at a time so don´t try to use both at the same time!! The thread slips in between the tension disks. I´d suggest that you try a heavier needle and see what happens. It might work.

Very fine knives !!! / Knut

It would be interesting to see a detailed pic of this special front rigging ! / Knut

If your horse is rolling over on top of you, I don´t think the cantle binding design is the BIG issue !? Just a thought. / Knut

I´d bet a cent or two that the original rigging has looked something like it once, as the recent rigging looks a bit naked and misplaced for being made by a known saddlemaker. Also, a forkcover wouldn´t be wrong ? Interesting, unusual saddle indeed ! Good luck ! / Knut

You can move the ring down by making new rigging leathers like this: / Knut

Willkommen ! / Knut

Christmas is near ! Santa Claus is rounding up his team ! A Merry Christmas to you all ! / Knut

Rust can easily be removed with citric acid. It will not destroy the fresh metal but it will chemically eat the rust. A teaspoon of citric acid in 2 cups of boiling water and a little dish wash. Put the rusty metal into the hot solution and let it stay for an hour or two. / Knut

The difference in length is half the distance between the holes so ... " A lot of noice for a handful of wool, said the man who cut the hair off the sow!" / Knut

Why punch half holes ? I can´t see the need of it ! It just weakens the leather, and makes only a small difference in adjustment.

It looks similar to a Don carlos knife but I don´t think it is a Don Carlos, as it looks old and the Don carlos knives has not been on the market so many years. The shape is found in other brands, Blanchard for example. This style of knives is also used when working with linoleum flooring. My 2 cents worth of info. I have a similar Blanchard leather knife and I have rounded off the tip and I use it for skiving. / Knut

I have modified a couple of round punches on a belt grinder, but I think you can find pinking irons on tha market, both new and old ones. / knut

I must find that book! Thank´s ! My big interest is old time saddles! / Knut

Do you remember the name of the book ?

Are you sure it was a horse tail attached ? I have seen pics of saddles with long angora goat hair saddlebags attached to the back of the saddle. / Knut

Thank´s for the info, Jim. Never heard of a glueing machine, I had hoped that it was a motorized splitter. At least I can sleep now, knowing what it is. Will have a look at the sewing machines wednesday. Thank´s / Knut

If many parts are missing I could use it as a door stop, huh? / Knut

This is also an unknown piece of iron ?? Any suggestions ?? / Knut

Hello. Got this pic on the mail today, along with pics of a whole bunch of old Singer and Adler cylinder - flatbed- and post machines from a shoe factory that closed about 30 years ago. (Also an offer to buy the lot) Unfortunately there are no tables and motors left for the machines. I must make a trip one of these days to have a look, and maybe do some business?? Has anybody an idea of what this could be ?? A splitter ?? / Knut

Thank´s Randy ! Will make up a bottle of the mixture and give it a try! / knut

Thank´s for the info. On this side of the globe Listerine is a green liquid, so I got a bit puzzled. / Knut

is it tha bottle or the content that is brown?