bikermutt07

That looks great. Love the inlay.

I bet. My maternal grandfather was a furniture maker, and a whittler. He passed before I was born. I never saw his whittles, but my family members have some nice furniture he had built.

Don't be scared of sharpening. I was for over 40 years. It's not as mystical as we all grew up believing. Yes, it can get really technical really quick. But it doesn't have too. When I decided I wanted to own a knife worth more than 40 bucks I realized I should be able to sharpen it. In all my research (YouTube) I found one comment that made the difference. No two sets of hands sharpen a knife exactly the same. So the first time you sharpen the knife, it will take a long time. The blade needs a little extra time to get to know your hands. Later on you may only spend 10-15 minutes sharpening it back up. I used the sand paper method until I got proficient and built my confidence. Now I use a Kalamazoo 1x42 belt sander. Keep in mind I was frustrated by sharpening my whole life. I'm only 44 now. I have only been getting things sharp the last 3 years. Now my Knipknives have only needed stropping so far. They are so so very sharp. I treat them with the utmost fear and respect. I shudder to think what one of those knives could do to my finger or hand. Your ivan knife may have a long life with just stropping. You just have to stay on it. I strop my Knipknives at least daily when I'm using them. More so if it is stiff thick leather. Here is a picture of a folded piece of 7-8 oz Hermann Oak. It is three layers thick. Terry's French model rolled right thru them.

As them yougens say "Got to Represent"

That looks like a fine jig. Did y'all spend all morning cleaning up? Nice shop.

That is pretty neat. I bet you or @Sanch could make that pretty easy.

It was my pleasure, Mr olfart. I do some sales at Snyder's. I guess that part of me kind of took over. I really enjoyed helping. I don't get to spend much time talking leather craft (except here). P.S. I'm from the Great Republic. You can take the boy out of the Republic, but you can't take the Republic outta tha boy.

I bet that combined with the liquid tape would be a great combination.

Well, this might be an option, Kitty. This guy has great stuff.

I have seen people dipping them in liquid electrical tape or even the famous as seen on TV flex n seal (now available in dipping form at big box stores). Multiple coats should build them up nice for ya. And even soften the blow a little bit.

I'm easy, @OLDNSLOW ball is in your court (it is your thread).

Weaver leather had a splitting service they offer for the leather they sale as does W&C. Obviously, it will add time to your order. Most of what is available is usually available in the thicker widths. Also, splitting leather is not as "cut and dry" as one might think. Firm temper leathers split well. However you can't take off one ounce at one time. A few ounces have to come off at a time. Soft spongey leather doesn't split well at all. At least not on a small scale splitter.

I would be willing to buy a number 9 for a decent price.

It's kind of a crap shoot online unless you know who you are buying from. I don't buy many sides, since I'm just "hobbying" about. I buy smaller quantities from @nstarleather when I can. He always overstuffs the package and sends out quality stuff at a huge savings. But, he's only shipping domestically in the States and a little to Canada (I think). Surely there is someone like him across the pond that buys lots in bulk and sells off what they don't need. I can't imagine him being the only company in that bracket. Good luck in your search.

I have been just practicing gravy the last two nights. A sales lady at work has commissioned me to make her a messenger bag for measuring flooring. We'll see how this goes....

Well it still looks good and maybe that big ole smoke wagon needs the girth back there. As for putting that Dremel to your almost finished piece..... Always remember, test on scraps, not your project (sometimes I forget too).

I think they look fine. I'm a little curious about the judge holster.... Why is the back flap looking kind of oversized?

I'm willing to donate a rigid tool bag to the cause, if it keeps that beauty off the jobsite.

Haha, you could use a Sam Brown stud for a closure, then the cat would have a tongue ring. Just a thought, feel free to use it though.

Hoooooowwwwwllllllll!!! Looks good. Keep it up.

Love how it turned out. I really like how the coloring turned out on the back. The tooling all looks cool too, it's just the backside jumped out at me.

That looks great.

http://hexnhitstamps.com

The Henry doesn't have that midsized lever and side eject does it? I'm a lefty. I had the Rossi stainless 16". It was smooth until the spent cases kept landing in my shirt.

I want hexnhit.