SCOUTER

Clay, I wouldn't sweat the deadline issue, I am sure that this is the first of many "contests". I think it's a fantastic idea! Competition drives people to better themselves and try things they normally wouldn't have. In the future you could have different subjects like another leaf, a certain animal or flower... For some contests you might like a people's choice vote or having a member donate a prize. Anyway you do it I am sure it will get people off the couch and into the shop (or kitchen). I like the idea of Shorter deadlines (less then a month) because it forces me to make time and "get er done" =) I can't wait to see the entries... Thanks again Clay!

Clay, Thankyou so very much for a wonderful tutorial! Showing the different backgrounds and naming tools and suppliers really put this over the top! You are awesome to do that for all of us!

Hi Hilly, Re-Stropping. Stropping is only done after the blade is very sharp. It puts that last polish on the blade allowing it to pass thru the leather with minimal effort. I have found that if you take an old cereal box, remove cereal =) and turn box inside out. Now take box and cut strips around 2 or 3 inches wide. The stips will now measure aprox 2x10. Now take some jewelers rouge, either red or white (red is quicker cutting and white is finer) and apply the rouge to the strips by stroking the rouge stick down the strip about 5 or 6 times until there is a small layer of rouge on the cardboard strip. Now the fun part, take your knife and lay the blade on the top of the strip so that the blade bevel is FLAT on the strip and DRAW the knife back along the strip keeping the blade bevel flat on the strip. After a few pulls you will start to see small metalic residue on the strip GOOD now flip the knife and repeat. Look at the blade now, it should look SWEET! =) Hope that helps.

Beautiful Job! Being from NY the first thing I thought was "What motorcycle are they going on?" Man what am I doing here...

Warren, Great Job! Nice touch with the stitching all around! Great Color! Thanks for posting!

A "fun" bike... Figure out what kind of riding you will do most of the time... City and or short trips get a smaller bike (under 500cc). Mostly highway- Get a 750cc or larger. Quick story- I have been riding for over 30 years and here is what I found. Smaller bikes are lighter and so much fun and easy to handle for short runs. The bigger bikes hold up better on the highway but in the city are a drag to ride. I have had both and now since I only ride LOCAL (city) I bought a ENDURO 185cc Honda and EVERYONE that has EVER rode that bike boasts "This is the most fun I have ever had on a bike!" Love that bike! But then again I ride local only. Good luck!

Dave, Simply amazing work, Great lettering and fit and finish! WOW! Thanks so much for posting.

Thanks much for the kind words and welcome, I use a OPTIMA 1 burner. The burner is great but for leather I have the power setting all the way down and have to move fast or the material scorches. =) On wood you about half way up the power setting...

Hello, As a Scoutmaster and long time Scouter, the time has come once again to teach my scouts Leatherwork. It is hard because the youth of today have an attention span you can measure in Nanoseconds not to mention their crafting skills. But there is always that "one kid" who's eyes light up and after the meeting asks you all sorts of questions and wants to do it! That makes it all worth while! Finished this tonight, it's COASTER size and done by Pyrography! Sorry for large file, I don't know how to shrink it as of yet. =)