YinTx

Thank you. I did the dye work prior to oiling, and I let the oil set in for a couple of days because I had other things going on at the same time. Usually, only need to let it rest overnight or so. I did not have to put it in the sun at all. Hope that helps, YinTx

More specifically: https://www.springfieldleather.com/Hermann-Oak-Economy-Plus-Sides This I don't see tho...would like to. Also look forward to seeing what this leather is really like...I suspect belts might be a challenge, but smaller items like holsters and sheaths and wallets might be doable? YinTx

Fantastic work! How long does something that size take you to carve and tool? I'd think it would take me days... YinTx

I just used this technique to attach the liner on part of the pet collar I made. Fantastic tutorial, thanks so much for sharing! I know it takes a lot of effort to put something like this together, truly appreciate it. YinTx

I'll try to get her to model it when the time comes, and if so, for sure I'll post photos here! YinTx

Appreciate that! She should get it in August some time... I'll post a pic then! The background is dyed with a tiny paint brush, then oiled, resisted, and then finally antiqued. Yeah, I've been wanting to make one for a few years. Have attempted on two other occasions, and failed miserably on both. Finally success! YinTx

Thank you. And, it is a safety collar design. The center ring is supposed to allow the collar to flip and be pulled off if the dog gets hung up on something. Not sure if it really works or not, but lots of folks seem to think it does. It does add a whole lot of complexity to the design and construction, that is for sure. YinTx

Finally finished this up today. Took half a year of Sundays it seems, but ready. 1" wide strap, Hermann Oak leather, Fil Au Chinois Thread, solid steel hardware. Learned a thing from @RockyAussie's watch strap tutorial, and tried to apply it here. Thanks for that! Plenty of little mistakes, and things I'd do differently (like only use that style of buckle with very thin flexible leather), but I think it will be serviceable! From what I understand, LuLu is a girly girl boxer with white fur, so I think she'll like this style. YinTx

If you have prices like those being discussed, I imagine you will garner a lot of interest. I'd drive the 9 hours to see it. YinTx

Outstanding! Did you leave a "plug" under the hair on hide, or did it take on that shape on it's own? YinTx

Thanks much! And the blade makes me slow down when I put it away.. have to hold that little tab out of the way, and so I'm extra careful to avoid my fingers and the tab so I don't slice either one off! But it is always kinda nice to admire something you made every time you use a knife you have brought back from the brink of oblivion... YinTx

Beat the heck out of my first antique experience. Only suggestion I have is practice a bit with the pear shader. Looks pretty good! YinTx

Dubbin is a mixture of waxes and oils used to nourish the leather. Many make it themselves, or you can buy it like Aussie or Sedgwick's leather care, many many other brands. Just apply and rub in, sometimes use a little heat like from a hair dryer on low setting to help it along. Usually used after dye, etc. It tends to make the colors more vibrant, and the leather have more lustre. Neatsfoot oil can be applied before or after dye. It will not stop the dye from penetrating the leather, but can give a slightly different effect depending on when applied. Usually necessary after dye to prevent cracked leather - dye can make leather stiff, and it needs oils to improve it's serviceable life. Also usually applied before antique. Let it rest for several hours after applying to allow it to migrate throughout the leather. Hope this helps, YinTx

That leather looks awful dry. Have you put any neatsfoot oil on it? Dubbin? anything? sometimes I find that can help prevent scratches too, seems more fragile when it's dry. Buffing lightly with a soft cloth after oiling can lay some of the scratches down. Bending it when dry can cause stress cracks too. After casing, plating with the glass evens things out before stamping. Well placed stamps, look forward to seeing the final version! YinTx

They have some 8-10 oz in the overstock section on sale, usually have some branding or scars or whatever, but good price, and ships out pretty quick. They do have an annual shutdown, don't remember when that happens, but try not to order in that window. Sometimes end of the year can be difficult to get leather from what I hear. YinTx

@MrLentz, I have several different backgrounders, if I recall correctly I used the ones in the photo. I did not modify the edges, if you try to blend you can get a bit of hamburger as seen in the center of the stampings. Just have to try to align them as best as you can and go from there. Hope that helps you! YinTx

They do have veg tan roo.... anyone ever tool it? suppose it's possible... I listened to the entire thing... pretty good stuff! Those are pretty cool! At that price, worth a try! I'll see if I can find one at a local Michaels or Hobby Lobby or some such place.. maybe Amazon... Yeah, I cut pretty shallow on those...was afraid it would not look good if they were too deep on such a small item. Thanks, Ross! Part of my challenge is to keep making... I always have a pile of projects in various phases of completion that I get a mental hang up on and don't finish - sometimes stops me for days it seems, or I start something new and forget.. etc. YinTx

Haha no surprise for the recipient then? YinTx P.S., well done. went all out with the backing and braiding I see...didn't occur to me to do that...

Really nice. I've seen the template from makesupply, wondered how well it would turn out. What did you think of it? YinTx

That rocks. Those patterns are awesome. Folks are gonna love it for sure! YinTx

It appears I am not that good. I tried this a while back with my 1200 grit diamond stone, and immediately chips went flying in all directions. My ruby blade went from "I can kinda use it" to "well, she's a goner." The ceramic ones have cracks running all the way through, so honing them is pretty useless. I was able to polish off the factory grinding pattern and get them very smooth, which helped a lot. Oddly, I still prefer this old steel version blade... That binocular headband is exactly what I need to get. Thanks for the headsup - I'll see if I can find a local supplier! And thanks for the compliment also! Appreciate it, and I bet you would be able to do phenomenal if you attempted it.. No grains of rice for me, that's a whole other level, lol! I don't have a grinder - or a least favorite blade, so it might take a few hours on a stone... prolly better off finding one I like! YinTx

Got some color on it, and some antique. This Hermann Oak turns really dark fast with Neatsfoot oil, kinda kills the contrasting colors. Oh well, it is what it is. YinTx

I have some rather heavy stuff in the corner also. I have debated making boxes, small trunks, pen holders, baskets for storage in the car (tools, magazines, whatever), all decorated with carving and tooling. but, I haven't yet... looking forward to hearing what others suggest.. YinTx

Glad you started to participate in the melee! Look forward to seeing your works, and hearing about your magazine... YinTx

Thanks, and it seems that way. Actually, I keep having to decorate little stuff. Eventually, I'll get better at it. Thank you. And if I start making $$ on little carvings, or carving in general, I'll consider getting a small blade, I do imagine it would help. Or if I find a really good one for a really good price, lol. I do have a growing tool problem collection....just all the swivel blades I have are big (or chipped in the case of ruby blades and ceramics). It is hard for me, but getting a little easier with practice. I feel like I'm welding: aim the rod where I think it'll go, flip down the lid, and see what happens when the arc strikes. Appreciate it Rockoboy. Usually, I get a comment or two, but this time it was so quiet I thought for sure I'd done something wrong! YinTx