Bob

I'd certainly welcome a new way to make buckin' rolls. I stuff them with matress ticking. They're real quite hard, sometimes lumpy if your not careful with it. I've seen the ones JR made with the last using veg tan leather and has decarative cuts. They look really nice. It would be interesting to see what Jeremiah Watt makes with foam inserts or what ever. If someone has a picture or more information, I'd like to see it. I don't like making buckin' rolls at all using to current method with a welt sewn in, I've never used a lining. later bob

I'd be interested, have any pictures to post? I'm currently using a deer antler (poloshed up) for under the cantle binding to get the wringkles out.

Stitcher for sale, good unit has seen little or no use. I got it from someone who wanted to make their own saddle and done nothing with it. Instead, they asked me to make the saddle and gave the sewing machine as partial payment. This unit sells for 1400.00 new. It has a speed reducer. It comes with a thread stand as seen in the pictures and light. I need 1000 bucks for this machine. You pickup here or pay for shipping. Message me with offers and questions. Bob

Art, could there be any newer information for Herb Dunkle? This phone # is out of service. Thanks Bob

Today while sewing a cantle binding, I tried a pair of latex gloves. They worked great, the best part was the extra grip for pulling needles through. Got them at Costco, 12 bucks for 50 pairs. They're great in the shop for using neatsfoot oil.

It's so cold here that some of those dang pine beetles will die for sure. They've about killed all the pine trees in BC and Alberta... we need the cold weather for a good month solid. I can stay in the saddle shop with the stove going. bob

Bruce, thats a serious nice machine and great price. With all those attachments included also. WOW, you wouldn't have any trouble selling that. My machine is just like that only older. I don't have, but wish I had all those attachments and accessories. bob

Oxalic acid is great stuff, mixed with water, I don't know how much exactly. I use about 2 tablespoons full in a large coke bottle, 2 liters/or half gallon. It works great for bleaching leather. Most stains you may have during and after construction, will disappear. Water stains, pencil marks and such. I doesn't take out ink marks or dye. It deals with minor stains caused by water and dirty fingers. Dirt stains and oxidized nail marks. Only use this on Veg tan leather. We get it from the leather dealer in Calgary, it's cheap like water. Only don't drink it. As for finishing a new saddle, thats all I do too. Except I don't use saddle butter. Although it sounds like a good idea. Perhaps that would get rid of all the squeaks in a new saddle... regards Bob

wow, now thats a lot of work Ryan. Nice job. way to go!!! Bob

hello Kani, I would only use Veg tan leather for knife cases. Because I want them to keep the shape and hold the knife in. Under certain conditions veg tan can rust your knife. IF, the leather is wet or damp. Make sure the leather dry. If you don't oil your knife with a light film of oil. I store my good knife in a veg tan case for years now and it's not rusted. All the knife cases you buy in the store are made with Veg tan leather. The leather is usually lightly oiled. NOT heavy oiled. It will get too soft. Thats the beauty of Veg tan leather, it's keeps it's shape. Just take care to not store your knife in wet conditions. When I made a new knife case for a customer, I use the knife itself and wrap it in suran wrap (from the kitchen) and stuff it into the knife and leave it couple days. This way the knife stays dry, and when the leather is dry, the case is not too tight for the knife. Hope this helps Bob

Heys you guys, I think I can help here. I do the ebay thing quite alot. And nothing bugs me more than all the junk thats listed there, which I have no interest in... I don't mean junk, just stuff I have no use for... Here's what I do. Go into the crafts directory, click on leather craft, and put this into the search line. -dye -fiebings -shene -barontool -letter -book -rotary -magazine -number -liquid -patterns -grommets -wallet -lace -baron The minus sign will remove all the stuff you don't wanna look at. Such as books, letter stamps, etc. etc. You can save the search, that way you don't have to do it every time. There's some really great things I've gotten, like One of a kind tools. All sorts of things, but who wants to spend hours sorting through all the stuff.... Hope this works for you all :comppunch: Bob

Well, i must say the carving is exceptionally nice. For a knife maker the stitching is good, with some reservation... I mean that I've not seen a knife maker, make good hand stitching. Alot of knife makers around here use a drill to make the holes and their stitching reflects it too. I'm not a knife maker. I don't wanna sound critical OK. I'm just trying to say that knife makers should just make knives. The person who carved this is one heck of a carver, i'm sure the knife is every bit as nice. A landis 16 setup to stitch properly can lay a stitch thats second to none. None I've seen. We can't all do everything exceptionally well. enough said bob

Hello Steve, personally I like to deal with Caledon in Calgary. Ken is exceptionally knowledgable and he carries a good selection of products. I just got 7 pieces from him and they're just like I asked. phone (800) 361-6565 Best regards Bob

Elton, nice work. Good lay out and that beader blade is awesome. Bob

You sure can't bit that with a stick... wow. Who can afford to make their own at that rate? Great referral, thanks Bob

the arch punch idea may just work fine, depending on the size of the material on the arch. That part won't change shape. If you start with a two inch circle. It will remain flat where the welds are. It really should be bent before welding it. bob

Bruce, why wouldn't you consider making one? All you would need to do is use a piece of pipe the size you want. Have it machined down sharp on one side, then bend it closed somewhat in the vise. Then weld a handle on it. That would be cheaper for sure. Bob

I'd like to find a landis 5 in 1. Send message with information, asking price and phone # Thanks Bob

Johanna, very well spoken... I'm Canadian, own guns for hunting... if need be. Intend to defend my family and property... enough said. redneck from Canada?

Did you look on ebay.com, there's lots of linen thread there. Try this auction, just copy the # and do a search for it. 250205927669 Bob

A priest, a Pentecostal preacher, and a rabbi A priest, a Pentecostal preacher, and a rabbi all served as chaplains to the students of Northern Michigan University in Marquette. They would get together two or three times a week for coffee and to talk shop. One day, someone made the comment that preaching to people isn't really all that hard. A real challenge would be to preach to a bear. One thing led to another, and they decided to do a seven-day experiment. They would all go out into the woods, find a bear, preach to it, and attempt to convert it. Seven days later, they're all together to discuss the experience. Father Flannery, who has his arm in a sling, is on crutches, and has various bandages, goes first. "Well," he says, "I went into the woods to find me a bear. And when I found him, I began to read to him from the Catechism. Well, that bear wanted nothing to do with me and began to slap me around. So I quick grabbed my holy water, sprinkled him and he became as gentle as a lamb. The bishop is coming out next week to give him first communion and confirmation." Reverend Billy Bob spoke next. He was in a wheelchair, with an arm and both legs in casts, and an IV drip. In his best fire and brimstone oratory he proclaimed, "I went out and I FOUND me a bear. And then I began to read to him from God's HOLY WORD! But that bear wanted nothing to do with me. So I took HOLD of him and we began to rassle. We rassled down one hill, UP another and DOWN another until we came to a creek. So I quick DUNKED him and BAPTIZED his hairy soul. And he became as gentle as a lamb. We spent the rest of the week in fellowship, feasting on God's Holy Word and praising Jesus." They both looked down at the rabbi, who was lying in a hospital bed. He was in a body cast and in traction with IVs and monitors running in and out of him. He was in bad shape. The rabbi looked up and says, "You fellows don't know vat trouble is until you try to circumcise a bear."

Darc, I think Bruce said it best. it's to serve as a ramp to get the stirrup leather over the rigging. I've also seen the "Connecting strap" not connected at allto the back rigging, but to the bar just ahead of the cantle binding, coming down at 45 degree angle and wrapping around the rigging dee, also there's a "thumb" like piece that comes up and is rivoted into the rigging dee. I'm going to try uploading a sketch hand drawing of what I'm trying to say.

Nice work Elton, the whitetails do get pretty big in your part of the country. BOb

We live in a valley that runs for miles. Not alot of snow fall down here in the valley. However, you don't have to go far to find lots of deep snow. There's some nice places to ride in these parts. Good hunting and fishing too. There's some hugh cattle ranches around here. I'm not sure how to upload these pictures I taken. These pics are taken today from our house. Hope this works. We live here in the Kamloops area, just outside of town on 2 acres. Kamloops BC, is about 3 1/2 hours north east from Seattle WA. The houses you see in these pictures are the neighbors. Bob