YinTx

Awesome gift, nice work! YinTx

100% agree. Couldn't know that until it was there, then of course, too late. Grommet would have made it even worse. Frustrating for me, as I'd spent over 100 hours and lots of leather on this build, and already past the expected delivery time frame. For the small $$ I got for this, I had to call it done. Customer loved it, so onwards. If he didn't of course I'd do it again. Future designs I'll be doing differently. Appreciate the honest feedback. YinTx

Oh yea, around the Sam Browne Stud is 10 spi. ! Awesome, I appreciate that. YinTx

Appreciate it. Original design didn't have it in there, but he requested it, so I redid everything to accommodate. I didn't notice that, but you are right! I debated for a few days about whether to completely flatten the pattern inside, or leave the raised section in the middle. I opted for the raised, I think it gives it some dimensionality. Thank you. Wish I had seen yours, I could have maybe taken some design cues from it instead of starting from scratch! Thanks, and yes, for a leg tie. I liked the look without it, but then in this case, function trumped style, so there it is. Many thanks. I used 9 spi, and 532 Juane Fil Au Chinois Lin Cable. And I must say stitching through that thick of leather is a chore. Hands still hurt! Would not have been possible with any of my newer awls, had to use a very long very old blade. YinTx

Thank you! and that would be the errant stitch that always makes an appearance in my work. Navajo rugs have a "Spirit Thread," and other cultures have similar themes to the imperfections that arise in crafted work. So I refer to it as my "Spirit Stitch." YinTx

Thank you, and yes, I suspected it would be difficult, and I discussed this with him before I started on the design. Due to the knife shape, I also feared it would require a bit of finesse to insert and remove it from the sheath. It goes in and out better than I expected, and sits snugly. Interestingly, the tab kind of pops out of the hole on its own, you can kind of see that in one of the photos. I discussed with him that it would be in the way as you try to insert the knife as well, but in practice does not seem as bad as I told him it would be. Only time will tell how it works out for him. Wow, thanks! Journeyman maybe, only apprenticing I have done is via this site. Master level is a bit away for me though.. you should see the pile of bits and prototypes that stacked up as I made this one! I am glad you think so highly of it. We'll see this evening when I deliver it to the intended recipient how he likes it! Jeff, many thanks. It was an interesting blade for sure. YinTx

Thank you. Unique shape and the most challenging aspect. Pretty thick at 0.22" as well. Every single piece of the 7 layers was cut, fit, cut, fit ad nauseam. But, it does now sit pretty snugly, no wobbling about. Thanks! I was reasonably happy with it. Some things I might do different in the future, but I think the customer will be happy. Appreciate it. Knife is in there, so maybe only bent the rule? Here's the overall look for you... YinTx

Awesome work with exotics. Edge work on the ostrich looks like it is a bit of a challenge? I've not tried to do anything other than edge paint on it. YinTx

Finally after 2 months of cogitation and prototyping, finished this guy up. As I don't do sheaths very often, open to critiques as well! And yes, as always, it has the inadvertent requisite Spirit Stitch. YinTx

Thanks. Cutting curves is a joy with a round knife once you get it down. That pancake knife sheath you made would be something you could do with a round knife. This was actually 1/2" of leather, 1/4" would be like hot knife through butter. YinTx

Hard to justify having two of the same size, and have always been wanting a Rose blade. Night and day difference, but took about 6 or 7 hours of labor to get it to this condition, and the price difference to go with it. The other served me well for years, now enjoying the fruits of my labor on this one! Hopefully the other is working out for you also. Thanks for the compliment! YinTx

Yeah, a bit far away, but this sounds pretty small, so I'd think it would fit in an envelope, which is one postage stamp to mail to any corner of the States, or to your next door neighbor. YinTx

Thank you both. Seems the sheath is protecting other things in the drawer from the round knife also! I can see where it has inadvertently added some "patina" to other things in there... YinTx

Be happy to send some pieces. PM me what dimensions you are looking for (thicknesses, etc) and I'll pop them in the mail. I have a splitter so I can get you several different thicknesses if you would like. YinTx

Not everything is as it should be, but at least the blade is safe and sound in there for now. Decided to let the thing be as thick as it was going to be, turned out to be 1/2"! This was some of the old Tandy 10 oz veg tan shoulder leather. The Rose blade cut through it without a complaint. What a joy to use. YinTx

Phenomenal attention to details. Beautiful piece! Look forward to seeing other samples of your work. YinTx

Looks outstanding! I think it will do the job with style. YinTx

Snazzy. Congrats! YinTx

Knowing you, I wouldn't guess. That's why I asked. Figured you might have some nifty secret technique up your sleeve better than the obvious 3 layered setup I was guessing at! YinTx

That turned out fantastic! such intense colors. Is there stitching underneath that to hold the holster shape over time? YinTx

Wow, I can't imagine the type of patina that might show up on veg tan leather being used in a restaurant for a seat. Prior to using the resolene, I think I'd make sure the leather is well oiled with neatsfoot, and probably would put a very serious coat of a beeswax/oil mixture into the leather to make sure spills do not soak in and have an opportunity to be wiped off or could bead and run off some on their own. Resolene will help as well. You may have to apply the resolene on a regular basis, since it will be worn down regularly as a seat. I think experience will tell you how often you will have to apply. Best of luck, and post some photos, before and after, so we can all learn as well! P.S., hopefully someone with some experience in making things like motorcycle seats will chime in with some related input...or you could do some research on that and see what you come up with... YinTx

This. I have just finished restoring a very old VB head knife, and it took me over 5 hours on a diamond plate and a finishing stone to get an edge on it. The hardest steel I think I have ever sharpened. And cuts like nothing else I have. Did a bunch of cutting and skiving with it just to try it out, and have yet to even strop it. Just fantastic. Very thin blade too, perfectly tapered from the center to the edge, and very light. I wouldn't recommend a newer blade over it. YinTx

By George, I believe we have a winner. Never found Bluenose, but found rug hooking - seems like this would do the trick! YinTx

As well she should have. I like the look. Nicely done! YinTx

I was cogitating on this topic just the other day. Here's my take, for what it's worth. I've received tons of advice in my career. I've learned to _always_ listen. Even if it is crap advice and I know it. Why? Because usually after a bit of time, there will be something that I will come away with that is invaluable to me. Even now, outside of my career, I seek advice, even if that person doesn't know it. For example, I watched a youtube video of someone making yet another knife sheath, I liked the pattern, I liked the tooling pattern, I didn't particularly care for his style of tooling, but it was nice enough. No, I don't want my work to look like theirs. However, I saw a simple and ingenious way to attach a Sam Browne stud (maybe everyone else has seen it and done it, but I haven't, and I REALLY needed that technique for a customer's sheath that I am working on!). Invaluable bit of info that will make my work so much better. So, Yes on "see some examples." But no, I don't always think I want my work to look like the example, but I will look for what is useful for me. And kudos to them for being so gracious for sharing, despite those who might belittle them for not being the best in the world while they do it. Because there are a lot of haters out there that cause folks to not share. Also the best way to learn is to teach. That means, some of the teachers are only just beginning to learn. I'm all for letting that process progress. Just my $0.02, don't know why I felt obligated to donate it this go round, but there it is. And I've never given advice on how to do my wreckorative cuts! But if you want to know how _not_ to do them, perhaps I could make a video.... YinTx