Bob

I'm inclined to keep the scallops short and close to the stitching, then use a seeder on each one. That helps keep the proper shape.

Everyone claims Bob Douglas makes a pretty nice awl blade. I'm aiming a get some soon. Turns out he makes awl handles as well with real chucks in them too. I think they're fair priced for what you get. All you need to do is spend half a day fiddleing around tring to make something work, and a new one from Bob Douglas is paid for.... They're nice folks to talk with on the phone. Very willing to help.

You wouldn't catch me hand sewing skirts, not ever. I did it once in saddle making school because it was a repair and the skirts were deformed and crocked. If it can't be done on a machine, it wouldn't get done in my shop. I've never turned one away either... My needle machine can sew anything on a saddle.

Anne is right, I called David Reis at the LCJ about the classes being offered. "I'm just working on that now, in about three weeks we should be mailing out the book for classes being offered". We're planning on going. I called on place that has a bed & Breakfast type factility. She said that they have a house with 3 bedrooms, the rates were quite reasonable too. Message me for the information. It would be good to find two other couples going that were in the saddle industry. Bob

Those are mighty fine loooking roses, very nice workmanship.

Thats exactly the pinker I have, and love it too.

I have a stitcher for sale, it's capible of 5/8 leather skirting, things like holsters and knife cases would be fine. I wouldn't expect it sew saddle skirts, because it's not a walking foot machine. It's got feed dogs ONLY for moving the work. So it can't bite the sheep skin to move it. But for other things like I mentioned, it's works great. The price is reasonable too, I'm asking 1000.$ It's an open arm machine and it's listed in the used machines for sale section with pictures.

Happy birthday Clay, your gettin' pretty dame old. Aren't ya? You best slow down some so I can catch up with ya.... Have a great day too.. Bob

I've found removing #9 copper rivts the most difficult on blevin's stirrup buckles. Sometimes, if you have enough leather, it's easier to cut off the 2" on the end and start again. Bob

Does Mr. Douglas make the awl blades in different sizes? I wouldn't know, cause I've been using the same awl blade from Osborne for many many years. It makes decent holes for about 5 stitches per inch, in a straight line.... I'd like to have a smaller awl blade. 7 - 8 stitches per inch would be more suitable for what I'm doing. Does anyone know what size blade would do that? Bob

CANADA.....!!!!!! OH CANADA.....!!!!!! It's really funny, some Americans, God bless em all. Actually think the world ends at the US border.... hehehhahehehaheheheh

Steve, it's funny how things work out. I called Bill B, first thing. Well actually thats a lie. I called Stan, first thing. He has a Jolley knife. One only, and it was priced outrageously high. I don't think he really wanted to sell it. So then I'd heard about Bill B in Bend OR. Phoned him and talked a bit. He replyed, "send me a few dollars for a catalog and I'll mail it out". I did, two weeks later, it came back in the mail with a note attached. "I'm sorry to report that I'm not taking any new customers until further notice. I'm behind now and can't keep up" I then remembered that someone here said that Big Sky sold his knives. So I phoned them, doubting the whole time because they're in such high demand. Well it turns out Big Sky had 4 left in stock. They faxed me the patterns and I purchased 3 of them. The nice person on the phone said "We have along waiting list, I think his health is failing him". So thats the other reason I purchased 3 rather than 1. Because I may not ever get another chance to. I suspect they'll be here in a couple weeks time. A new knife is like a new toy around here.

I like the chaps you made here Steve. Good work. Are you going to come over for the Kamloops Cowboy Festival March 7th - 9th?????? It would be good to see your stuff too. OH, I called the place you told me about the beader blade... they sent me one, it's nice. Henley's... I just order a new knife and blade too. Thanks Bob

I thought it was Mona Lisa when I first saw the picture.... are you sure it's not????? Just kidding Johanna. Bob

When ever I've wet molded a gun holster, I used LOTS of suran wrap on the gun. For two reasons, to keep the gun dry, and then to make the gun bigger than it actually is. It takes several days to dry the leather and it shrinks, so when it's dry and you remove the wrapping that it'll actually fit reasonably well. Not too tight so you have to fight with it for removing. bob

I talked with Bill Buchman, he won't be making knives for new customers. Too bad cause I've heard he makes such good knives too. If anyone has one extra they'll spare, I'd still like to get one.

I like the way you've done this. It looks neat and tiddy. Some people like "Conservative" looks. and this will do that. For some cowboys, all they want is a copper rivots going through the center holding the leg strap in place. Some like more dressy look, like what Elton did, with a bleed knot and a silver or brass concho. What you did here in nice, the concho's a plain and thats good. One fellow wanted plain concho's like that because the ones with sharp points on them can hurt your hands when you brush them up against your leg. The important thing when making stuff for people, like chaps. Is to listen to what they want, offering ideas into a wide variety of looks and let them choose what they want. Many people don't know what they want, so just listen to them when you make idea's, like pictures. Some guys are so conservative, the couldn't even wear chaps with fringes on them.... LOL Keep up the good work Bob

Elton, these sure are fancy. You said you made nice rodeo chaps. I thought nothing like this. This is really nice workmanship. Way to go buddy. bob

Nice workmanship, your saddle is very nice. Good thing you got help to use the puter, cause we'd never have seen your work. Welcome to the leather workers board Bob

Thats really nice workmanship, the stitching is great and the design is unique and original. The reenforced top I've never seen before. Well done. I like the design alot. Where the loop is you can wear high as possible, with the least amount of movement. The design I madeup sits lower because the "Belt Loop" is part of the body and folds over on the back and stitched down, making it difficult to achieve the angle you got this one on. However, it was for a 3" belt. Something you can't do with the belt loop style you have here. Thanks for posting the really good work, keep it up and we look forward to seeing more of your stuff. Bob

The plastic cover on my table is named by the industry that uses it most. Area board or Puck board. It comes in 4x8 foot sheets, the piece I happen to have is 1/4 inch. It's quite hard, but the knife buts into it, but not so much to drag the knife down. So I've learned to put enough pressure on the knife without cutting into the table. The best part of this is, it's CHEAP TO BUY. I think I paid about 65 dollars for a whole sheet years ago. Like 15 years ago and I'm still on the same table. Then you can turn it over. It's white in color. bob

Scouter is bang on, "If you can see the edge, it's not sharp at all." I use a hard felt wheel from Lee Valley tools on a bench grinder, it polishes the knife to a mirror finish. This is good, but like Marlon said is good too. Using the strop, because a felt wheel will round the edge of your knife. This is not really good, before long the edge of your knife will look like a rounded edge from the wheel. You will want the edge FLAT for skiving. Hope this helps. PS, for best control while cutting. The knife should slide through 16 oz leather skirting like butter. If you can hear it cut, it's still not sharp. A sharp knife is quiet.... Bob

Very nice work Gail, from where in Alberta do you have the shop/home? Bob

Don, that is exceptionally nice work. My first saddle don't look that good and it weren't that difficult either. I like the nice scalloped edge on the felt. Very nice. You sure went the extra mile to make those concho's like that, and they look pretty good for not having a punch. One thing you may have done to cover up the line, what I do sometimes is using a small pear shader on each pedal. So it looks like a flower. The line would mostly be gone. Very nice work Don, hope to see more of your inspiring work here. Bob

It seems to me that an inskirt rigging build into a butterfly skirt would be really hard to beat for having the least bulk. Also having the most freedom to move your fenders forward without binding. I surely do like the flat plate rigging. However, if you can accomplish the same thing without the bulk and extra weight. Just my thoughts bob