AlcoveShop

Ive seen those blisters on more than one occasion myself, and it took a few years to (doh!) finally narrow it down to some of the leathers out there- it didnt really become apparent until I took a vacation and came back (managed at Tandy for about a decade and it was almost 5 years that I took said vac and really lef tthe store for more than a day or so) and cracked open a fresh shipment. For me the suedes were the worst, leading up to crazy itching episodes to some hefty blisters like you mention. Over time the veg hides seemed to fluctuate with this. I see J has the opposite though, more on the veg side than the chrome end. Wierd. Now funnier still, since I left and have been working with primarily domestic hides, I havent seen this- to the point of forgetting about it till I saw it mentioned here. Maybe the terrorists found a way to slowly work themselves in? (joking there)

Oh, and these are the newer steel remakes (within the last few years), not the older low quality ones.

I got ahold of a few more cases (alot of red and black this time) A few (very few) have "wiggy" tops and have no feed problems (we use these here for repairs and custom work, havent had a issue yet despite looking cute as heck) 1 LB Spools (16 0z), Red: $10.00 each, 3 or more @$8.00 each 1 LB Spools (16 Oz), Black: $10.00 each, 3 or more @$8.00 each 1/2 LB Spools (8 Oz) Hunter Green: $6.00 each, 3 or more @$4.50 each 1/2 LB Spools (8 Oz) Dark Blue: $6.00 each, 3 or more @$4.50 each PM me if interested!

Hides are "A" grade (All useful for garments) Average hide is 8-10 sq. ft (Some larger) I have these in Gold, White, Whiskey (Saddle Tan-Like Color) and Black. Limited Supply (About 150-200 Sq ft of each color) I also have about 100 Sq of a special order color thats best called "sage" - a very earthy green color that would rock as a "elven" outfit for that special archer out there. PM me if interested...

#1 Hides, I have a small selection of these in Gold and White. (Approx 6 of each color) Average 18 to 24 sq. ft. 4.5 oz. PM me if interested, I'll update this as needed...

Someone asked me via E-Bay messaging if the free shipping offer to LWN folk still stands- yes it does; if you are the winner and mention LWN through the E-Bay sale completion, we will send them to you with free shipping. (International Folk, I'll work with you)

Just an update folks- 1 set sold, second is on ebay (hint: its listed at $632.00, a few bucks off the above information...) Tool Set on Ebay

I recently aqquired 2 full sets of TLF Carving Tools (316 each set) and will be soon putting them up on E-Bay. Brand New- I figured I'd offer them to folks here first, just PM me if you want additional info or are interested. They are priced at: (Each Set) $650.00 + $15 Insured Shipping anywhere in the US; International folks will have to discuss shipping with me. (Thats about $2 a tool folks!) They retail at $7.99, wholsale club at $5.99, and business is about $4... Cant say exactly when I'll be going E-bay with these but it will be soon.

Plus the setup they were using the last time I looked wasnt exactly rocket science inspired. Theyre usually pretty close but if you want true sizing, cutting your own is the way to go and 1 hide's savings covers the cost of a strap cutter and a handful of blades. Calculate your cost per sq foot on a premade blank vs a hide and doing it yourself. I changed over to Weaver (since we are a distributor for them now) for all the belt blanks because they are cheaper via quantity, more consistent and will edge them and the rot to boot.

That purse is awsome Tina! Fur -n- stuff is nice... (woof!) I see you like to use medival conchos... Boy we should talk; Ive been producung conchos for 15+ years and have hundreds of designs... (Long before the commercial companies tried their hands at doing "celtic" stuff!)

If you compare "older" kits to newer ones, you'll see definite "corner cutting" on overall design and materials; Its best to make your own in the long run. We scrapped the idea of introducing these kits to newer folk because of the fustration involved. (My biggest pet peeve is the hole sizing, and straightness of the lines of said holes) There are other liner manufacturers out there, and are worth the time procuring them.

Harbor Freight Tools is your best friend for making your own clicker. I'm going to let the cat out of the bag for making cheap clicker dies- Banding stock. Banding Stock + Hardwood Shapes + Sheet Metal Screws = Some pretty elaborate dies that can last for quite sometime. You can sharpen the banding stock (free if you look for it) with a simple set up, Ive even done it with a dremel. Cut the shape from a good dry hardwood. (I use 1 1/4" for 1 1/2" banding, 1 3/4" for 2" banding) I leave approximately 1/4" give or take depending on my needs for the leather. I cut 1/2" holes in the block for push out pegs (I use a standard configuration so I can put these pegs in a bench and turn the die upside down and press the leather out) The banding is attached to the block by predrilling holes for the screws as needed. Ive gotten 100 or so before sharpening. In some cases, I just pop new sharpened stock on and get back to it... The rest is self explanatory, I hope...

You know Tina, I JUST put in a horse camp at the back end of my property, and it's right in pristine 900 acres of National Forest... Consider an opprotunity if you want it- My mare's due to have a foal any day now, and soon Ill be building a guest cabin at that same back end of the property... Ya can truck the horses out and often enough, we have extras in our group if ya want...

****UPDATE**** I decreased the quantity for price breaks on the below because everyone seems to be wanting them in 3's! 1 LB Spools (16 0z), Red: $15.00 each, 3 or more @$13.00 each 1 LB Spools (16 Oz), Black: $15.00 each, 13 or more @$13.00 each 1/2 LB Spools (8 Oz) Hunter Green: $8.00 each, 3 or more @$6.50 each 1/2 LB Spools (8 Oz) Dark Blue: $8.00 each, 3 or more @$6.50 each

Good working condition, a few years on it but works 100% - $100 & $10 Shipping anywhere in the continental US.