YinTx

I struggled with the water stain dye at first, this video really opened my eyes to how it works. As the gentleman says, it is not a pigment with a solvent carrier. This works entirely differently. I have also discovered that lightly dampening the leather accelerates the process and improves the end results. I have been able to get more even colored results with this dye than the solvent based ones doing it this way. YMMV, don't let others discourage you, you will find which dyes and techniques work best for you. In some cases you may discover you want different types of dyes for different projects, as I have. They each seem to have their places. I don't really buy into the environmentally friendly aspect, I am sure the manufacturing process isn't all that friendly, and instructions mention well ventilated area if I recall. Anyhow, Best of luck to you, YinTx

Also had one of these Pro-Cement Jars, worked well until I didn't have it anymore. You can replace the head of the brush, the whole brush, adjust it up and down so the rod doesn't sit in the adhesive, seemed to seal well, etc. http://stleather.com/2015-p38.html YinTx

Also, on not causing the threads from the can lid from seizing up over time, I read somewhere here on LW to smear vaseline on them, so I tried it. Works like a charm! Haven't had a stuck lid since. I've been using chip brushes, and smearing with an appropriately sized piece of stiff veg tan leather... working so far... YinTx

Those edges tho! Nice work all around, I really like it... YinTx

That is going to be the best Christmas gift ever, so much sentimental value in that, not to mention it looks great! Absolute kudos. YinTx

Man that is awesome! YinTx

That came out top notch! You should be happy with that for sure. Edges are nice, color is great, stitching is really good... great work! YinTx

MadMax, Agreed, the others look much nicer, but I make what the customer is willing to afford, and the last blue one sells for significantly less than the hand stitched 3 layer tooled and edge coated versions. Actually, so far, it sells, the detailed ones have not. I may try your ideas on a future version to get a block shape. I debated wet forming the veg tan one, but I didn't want to take a chance on messing up the dye job with water blotches, etc. I'll do a trial run and see how it goes. YinTx

Brown64, That blue leather is like an oil tanned pull up. I didn't think that could be cased? YinTx

Absolutely awesome. I'm always astounded. You've got those guitar straps down, I love them. Thanks for sharing! YinTx

I have discovered pulling even Tiger thread through the beeswax helps prevent it from picking up material from the leather. YMMV. YinTx

Thank you, Venator and Brown. Here is the latest iteration. It would be nice to know how to square out the bottom some instead of the rounded shape I end up with, so if anyone has suggestions: YinTx

Hey, Thor, which knife did you get, and what do you normally use it for? Do you mostly make straight cuts, curved cuts, skiving? Thanks! YinTx

Thanks for the compliments. I have not seen the magnetic ones, and not sure how they would work? You wouldn't happen to have a link would you? I just used a soft plastic case, and I stitched it onto the leather to make sure it would not come off. I don't think I would trust just glue, but others may be able to speak up about how well that would hold up? YinTx

Just finished this up, custom color by request! The edges were a bear with this leather, and did not come out quite like I'd wanted. But, customer was happy, so thats what mattered! I opted for the unlined version since I was unhappy with the wrinkling liners. Second version of this had the black dye bleed all the way through the leather to the front: aarrrghh.. ruined. start again! anyhow, hope ya'll like it. YinTx

The best thing I have done is apply a lot of wax to the thread, and repeat every 10 stitches or so. Also, I try to pull the thread perpendicular to the work, to minimize friction on the leather when I pull the thread. I have also discovered quality of thread has some bearing on twisting: Fil Au Chinois seems to have the least amount of issues for me, but it will still twist. If anyone else has pointers, I'd be happy to hear them too! YinTx

I'd say you were able to! Came out nice! And thanks for posting the inside photos, well done, I like it. YinTx

And, unlike the sink and counter drops you get for free, no sharp edges that will constantly screw up your finished leather pieces. those rounded corners are nice! I'd say get it. YinTx

I like your use of contrasting colors. What did you use to dye your orange sketch book cover? would like to see photos of the inside, too! Keep up the nice work. YinTx

That truly sucks. You have my sympathy.

I have pm'd, emailed, etc since Nov. 5th and have received no response. Either he is sold out, or is no longer reading emails, etc. YinTx

Thank you Brown. Here is the latest version: YinTx

I just have a fat old soldering iron, I run it over the first layer only to "melt" the coat a bit on the surface, which seems to smooth things out nicely for the next coat. I think a lot of folks use the side of a fileteuse for that, but I haven't spent the $$ for one yet... so the iron it is. At the 3:43 mark you can see one being used here... YinTx

Oblivion!! Welcome back, long time no see! and, Thank you! YinTx

Oldnslow, Thanks for the compliment. I used the Fenice Brown Edge finish marketed by Tandy as Eco-Flo Professional Edge Dressing - Brown. They had a sale here 32 oz for $8.50 or so, so I thought I'd try it out. Suede backed veg tan seemed like a good challenge for it, seems to have done well. 3 coats, first one melted in with a hot iron, second one sanded down, third one left alone. I could have probably slicked it with some paraffin for a better shine, but I decided to leave well enough alone this time around. Hope that helps. YinTx