YinTx

Thank you, it has been a go to color combo for me, as I think it has a universal appeal. Yes and Yes. I wanted to put some Celtic influence as an option for the customer, and as such I sketched up the Triquetra. Neither of us felt it was the best look for this particular knife. I used it for the prototype sheath to get a feel for the build. I had actually sketched up a lot of options, and actually tooled out several versions. Here is a photo of 6 more in addition to the 3 above. The one with the knife in it above is the final version. I probably could have continued improving, but eventually I have to put something in the customer's hand! And no, I don't suggest this process for anyone trying to actually make a profit, definitely not the way. YinTx

Appreciate it @Rossr! YinTx

Depends on the kind of leather. If you post a photo, we may be able to assist better. YinTx

Thanks much! YinTx

Had a request for a custom sheath. Took a couple tries to be good enough to sell... YinTx I have another photo, but laptop is not cooperating. when it does I'll load it in.

You are probably on to something. Probably one of those "we've always made it that way" answers. I'm going to venture a guess and say it could be made less than half the size, maybe smaller. YinTx

Janbor Tool and Stamping Co. Milwaukee, WI? YinTx

That is some gorgeous work! I'd say you knocked that out of the ballpark. Great staging for your photos, too! YinTx

That came out really nice! YinTx

As in like 4 stitches per inch?? Or 4mm? either way, seems pretty big to me. 3.85mm is 7 spi, biggest I'd go on a bible cover. 3.38 or 8 spi, or 3mm would even be preferable. Springfield leather sells stitching irons, Ebay sells stitching irons, Amazon sells em, Goods Japan (https://www.goodsjapan.com/leathercraft-supplies/pricking-irons), Kevin Lee, KS Blade Punch is high quality https://ksbladepunch.com, Sinabrooks are similar, and if you are just curious about all the different types, Nigel Armitage has a string of YouTube videos reviewing these, Crimson Hides, and more. YinTx

Not sure if I can help, but here are some thoughts. 5mm is pretty big for 4 oz leather total. 3.38 mm or 8SPI would do ok, even 7 stitches per inch would do. John James needles size 2 are what I tend to use. they are cheap, you can get several sizes if you want to try them out. .4mm thread would work well, 532 linen thread, and I think Ritza Tiger thread would be 0.6mm. YinTx

Well thank you, not sure I deserve the sentiment, seems i'm always in a discomfort zone - really slows me down a lot! I have several projects that just simmer because I am hesitant on them, even when I've done prototyping. Sometimes I just need to get on with it, and somedays I think I need to get comfortable making the same thing over and over so I can actually put out some product! Thank you, and true thing on using cheaper paints. They can work. However, I happen to have come across a lot.. and I mean a lot.. of Angelus paint, I don't think I'll ever finish up the bottles I have! Especially if you dilute at all, a little bit goes a long long way. I'll do that. I'd seen one or two in the past, I think they did a leather chair once even, but it seemed a bit removed from doing veg tan painting. I'll revisit them and try to learn something! YinTx

Those came out nicely. Springfield leather did a video detailing how to do the process, they used dyes. YinTx

and folks poo poo on the eco flo - ain't nothin wrong with that! Well done. I bet it would look pretty cool with some antique too. YinTx

Sometimes the Fiebing's leather cement or the Tandy white leather glue works well on these types of leather. Your horse looks a bit like a Linnell pattern, is it? neat way to hold the pen, too! Take down case came out very nice. YinTx

This is awesome. Can you post up some images of the process and results? I think the purple in the mix would add an impressive hue. YinTx

I have cut the honey 10:1 and everything in between getting interesting hues. You might give it a try on a scrap piece and see if it comes up the color you are looking for. But I don't recall seeing a yellow hue come out like you are hoping for. YinTx

Yes. As soon as you open it up, smear it on the threads and you are off to the races. Sometimes a little bit of heat around the cap will help loosen it. Easy does it tho. YinTx

If you are really interested in the different styles, Jim Linnell has several courses that highlight the differences in Sheridan, Northwest, Texas, California, etc. I highly recommend them. YinTx

Doing the back and the seat or just the seat? If you only use the prime section of Hermann Oak leather, the total cost just for the leather might approach $1500. Did you ever find a taker? If so, how did it come out? If no, what pattern/style are you looking to do? YinTx

Routing is a mathematical computer model that can resolve any inefficiencies in delivery paths. Managing the financial aspects that have been politicized is something else entirely. For a detailed read here is the report by a Presidential Task force on the condition of the USPS, and on recommendations to shore it up. https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/USPS_A_Sustainable_Path_Forward_report_12-04-2018.pdf Interestingly it leaves out some of the topics we refer to in this thread. Also, we risk hijacking the thread, so I will stop commenting on this topic here, and revert to YangTools, which Tandy says I am not allowed to try. YinTx

donno. but this kinda touches on the topic. https://www.forbes.com/sites/wadeshepard/2017/11/05/how-the-usps-epacket-gives-postal-subsidies-to-chinese-e-commerce-merchants-to-ship-to-the-usa-cheap/?sh=4c8a90f840ca https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2018/10/18/china-postal-subsidies/38203951/#:~:text=The subsidized ePacket service limits packages to 2,American companies have cheered Trump’s plan to withdraw. Appears that USPS was roped into subsidizing the rates from China by the previous treaty. US taxpayers and customers of USPS have had to pay the difference to keep the books balanced. Which still isn't happening, this hurts everyone, including USPS, and small businesses or sellers like us, but helps China. YinTx

Also pay proper shipping costs. I can't mail something across town for the price they somehow manage to drop ship items half way across the world, explain that. Sometimes the price of the item with free shipping is less than I can have something mailed from across town, let alone the price of the item. anyhow, rant off. YinTx

I tried to look at the tools at the local Tandy, but they would not let me try them, only look at them under glass. I've bought thousands of dollars of stuff from them, it was a bit insulting to say the least, so I walked out. No idea if they are any good and could care less after that, I'll support other craftsfolks making nice tools not from China or Tandy. YinTx