krains

Thank you both for your insight. I do have a few extra questions. I have looked around for the answers but 1. Stitching before dying/antique doesn't discolor the thread? I have no idea, I haven't stitched anything like that yet. 2. To oil the belt, cover it in gum tragacanth/atom wax/ or neatsfoot doesn't effect the antiquing? Which is best for this without making the leather darker? Should I wait a few hours until the oil is dry before antiquing or is it safe to do it immediately after. 3. Is there a website or book I could find that details the steps? I have Belts Galore by Al Stohlman, but he doesn't cover that. Thank you again, for your help - this is frustrating!

Thats what I thought, but the reason I didn't do that is because of the antique I used. Wouldn't the water discolor the antique also since it is water-based or do I wet it after the super sheen and then make the bend?

I just completed my first belt. I put on the belt a few times to try and break it in a little bit before staining it. However, after I antiqued it with dark mahogany, I put the belt buckle back and as i bent the tip back to snap it in place, stretch marks appeared and it changed the color drastically to a much lighter purple. Is there any way I can prevent this next time from happening?

and yet another, although its been a few years since active. and this is the first time i've ever connected 'leathernecks' to leatherworkers haha ty!

I find myself doing a lot of craftaid style art for people to hang on their walls. So I'm cutting a lot of 12x10 pieces of leather. Is there some kind of press or way to cut these faster than just using a round/rotary knife? Will I have to build something like that? .....nevermind I'm an idiot.....was just searching for wrong thing

wow, nice saddle...it looks like something you would ride into battle with!

thats some beautiful leather. W&C, TLF or ?

That is beautiful! I've attempted your wallet making tutorial for my dad and I am having the same problem as with all my projects that fold. This happens on the cd case, 2 wallets, a belt and a book cover that I've made. I keep getting ugly wrinkles when I fold the leather over for the first time. How do I keep that from happening?

i just think its from a really skinny cow

David Letterman???? hittin the big time! That would be awesome if we saw it on TV

HAHAHA that is hilarious!

i hope to be able to do work this good in 20 years! where did you pick up the skills to do that?

Could someone explain what the difference between an undercut beveler and a lifter? I've tried the beveler, even with reading some books on how to use it and practicing...it still looks like garbage. So I am looking into maybe getting a lifter and trying that out. Any help would be appreciated.

i've felt similar to this, only for a much different reason. i'm just starting in leather and i want to learn it all. i''m being pulled in so many different directions that i keep spending money and time on a lot of different things. as a result..nothing gets done, and i get frustrated nothing gets done some more... i hope u get out of it. you make beautiful work. try going in a different direction. make some cases or something. i have no idea what im talking about, but maybe it helps you

thanks for all the help guys. mucho appreciated!

Yea, thats how I found out about the classes in Ft Worth. I emailed him and asked him about an apprenticeship. Sadly he doesn't but I tried! So I will settle for the occassional class when I can

Of course I'm going, sent the check today I think it was full the last time I checked but am not certain on that. I looked at the Edwardian....very nice, that is close enough for me hehe.

Peter is ridiculous. He has an embossing class in April in Ft. Worth that I can't wait for! Does anyone know what font he uses or if that is his own personal lettering? Its driving me crazy!

haha i'm having sort of the opposite effect, I want a "marbled" color like the first wallet you posted alex. is that just different swirles applied with the same color that you allow to build up by not buffing as much?

Kevin, what needle size should he be going for on work like this?

great job! are you using an undercut beveler on some places or just really banging on a normal beveler?

question, on a piece of leather that will see a lot of use, a bike seat for example, would a checkered bevel hold the color longer than a smooth bevel?

CHEATER! why couldn't his initials be KR???? Does anyone know where to get that font from? Craftaid, MSWord?

Hey Marlon, I'm surprised you aren't going to color it a la peter as well Are you going to the embossing workshop he is giving as well? where did you get the letter from? -Kevin

thanks guys, i'll try to buff the tandy one. but i will look into mr. cornelius' also.