pete

I have almost all of the mule's foot tools that I need but would really like a big wide one. I don't want to spend another $25 or so so I made one out of a 30-06 shell casing cut in half. On a piece of scrap it works fine but I wondered if you "jewelers" out there can save me a problem in the future. Is the brass going to hurt the wet leather in any way down the road? I have cleaned it well and polished it too but I would hate to have black marks later. pete

Bruce- do you case with the formula or with water and then the solution? I tried it awhile back as directed and found that the leather had a greasy feel to it when it came time to carve. Also- and the biggest problem, was that it was way to easy to undercut the leather. I've never had a problem with the swivel knife before. pete

If that's true then why did I get 2 -1&1/2" blanks last week that were exactly 1/8th OVER?!! And why would folding the leather have that much to do with the width as much as the thickness. I always have to skive the ends anyway and most people taper the tips,ends. I thought that belts were cut about 1/16th under to allow for stamping and spreading. pete

Say that I'm making a notebook and want to simply punch holes( in the liner) and cut across them to insert the notepad. What is the easiest way to "pre-punch" the piece so as to line it up perfectly so that the edges are either 1- flush or 2-the slit is centered where I want it considering I have left 1/8 in or so overlapping to trim later. pete clear as mud?!

you "might" try some dye reducer but make sure that you oil it afterwards as it will really dry out the piece. pete

thanks to ALL of you- what a great forum pete

I bought the TLC craftool skiver and I'm not happy with it. I sharpened the blade and adjusted it to the thickness that I wanted. But I'm having a devil of a time getting a good skive. It either cuts the leather off or skips or #$)(*$! Is this machine only good for 10oz+ leather to skive to maybe 4-5 oz or can I actually skive 4-5 oz to a semi feather edge. If not, what is the best tool to use to get a really nice skive to a semi- feather edge? Round knife? I have the TLF super skiver and safety skiver but they seem worthless. pete

I play western swing and jazz on mandolin, fiddle and keyboards as well as teach golf. pete

I had what I thought was a neat idea. I've always done sheridan traditionally with a flower centered and leaves and stems around it. I thought that I would make a 4x5 notepad with tooling around a center. Unfortunately I didn't pay attention to the 3/4 oz piece that I cut and had too much belly around the edge. Too flimsy and it really took its toll on the edger and groover. Oh well...

If you follow the currently popular line of thought in regard to saddle fit you will be sitting on the purple and red zone. David Genadek I'm confused- are you suggesting that this is incorrect and that we should be sitting more correctly in the blue/purple zone over the withers more?

Tom- have you considered using a sheridan style beveler? It will give you a sharper "edge" and will square off better making it easier to paint, dye etc. Then you can go over it with a modeling tool if you want to round the edges. You might also try a filagree blade for a sharper more vertical cut leaving a squarer edge. pete

why not go to a mechanic and ask for an old tire to cut up(don't get a steel belted radial!) a really big truck tire would probably yield enough "flat" surface to work on. just a thought. pete

beautiful! would you take a few more pictures close up of the sides and inside? All would love to see them pete

wow- flashback! Las time I saw Taj we were on a plane together circling Burbank airport. Some problem on the ground so for 45 minutes I played mandolin and he had a dobro. Great time- good fella, good memories!! pete

Thanks Luke! I'm a great admirer of your work. That is just the gouge and stitch groover in the picture. I'm having my local shoe store stitch this one. Mu hand almost fell off after doing my wife's album cover. thanks again and I will get over there to see your shop sometime. pete

here's a 13 x5 1/2 note pad for my car. I have a slot for the 4x5 paper pad and after I stitch it will put in 4 slots for gas credit cards. Nice HO leather- didn't want to waste any.(ps- another of my floral designs- please critique) pete

neat back design. I I've seen the floral stamp somewhere before- do you scribe a line and center the leaves or use a line to line up one edge or .......????? Love to see a tutorial on it. I like it better than a rope border.(SO much easier too) really nice work pete

Nice job and nice pattern! Where did you get it????? pete

Sure is Tom. can't see it in the foto as the notepads are in the way but I punched a small hole and just cut across for each of them. pete

again- cross you fingers!

here goes

all I know is that I've never had a ceramic blade drag because it was ceramic. I see lots of folks say that but I can only attest it to: 1- my blade is 20+years old and it had a better angle than some now made 2-the quality of leather is better and I'm very confident in my casing ability(when to cut it) 3-I can't comment on stropping because when I started in the 70's I was self taught and had never heard of rouge or sharpening. I just cut with it and if it dragged I cut harder or re-wet the piece! The Henley is really sharp but the ceramic cuts like butter. Even better now that I strop it occasionally!! ps- maybe I don't appreciate drag as my FIRST blade for 10+ years was a chipped ruby blade! I disn't know the difference!

thanks for the responses! It is a little less "flamey" than pictured. I took it outside to photograph and it just came out that way. It does have some streaks in it but that is the 4/5 leather that I used. I noticed a color difference before I cased it. I too like the effect and didn't want to dye the heck out of it until it was even. As to the inside and front- I tried 5 times to post the pictures but it wouldn't download!(*$)_&_)#$)(_(*_# Maybe it's because I use a Mac??? The first one came out as you can see. I have posted the remaining pictures to Johanna who, like the angel that she is, will undoubtedly post the front and interior. Thanks again pete