YinTx

Thanks for that lead. Do you know if they carry parts for Techsew? I have had no luck from the OEM supplier getting parts. They tell me they'll look, I give them the info, then never hear back. YinTx

6578 6579, 2003, 2006, 2021, 2066, and 2063 are sold. 2055, 6577, 2004, 2005, and 2019 remain. I suspect the postage to Western Australia will be significant, but if you PM me an address or a city at least, I will try to find out what it would be. Thanks, YinTx

I think your wallet came out awesome. Looking at the backside of your stitching, I don't think your thread is too thin. Possible one leather has a different temper than the other, and results in the tension showing differently on each side. Front side looks fine, maybe less tension on the front would help keep the holes from appearing oversized. YinTx

Very cool. Any pics of the inside? YinTx

I'd say you have some street cred with that photo! YinTx

Thanks! Thank you battlemunky! Appreciate that! This was the last iteration of a design I had come up with on my own, based on some other floral work I had seen. Took some pointers from folks here to get this version! Thread is an interesting thing, for me anyhow. Different brands, different sizes, different materials of construction, and different winding techniques give different results. This is probably the only Chinese thread I have used that I find acceptable. There may be others, just that I haven't used them yet! Most of the threads that you can finish off with flame are synthetic threads with polyethylene or nylon, one will flare up and stay burning fast the other usually needs to have a flame on it continuous to burn/melt. Linen threads don't melt, but they will burn, like a cotton, since they are made from the fibers of flax plants. The more you use different types, the more you will discover what fits your style the best! Thank you. The border is done with a push beader, some folks make it look simple, it has taken me a lot of ruined pieces just to learn how to get it to come out halfway decent! YinTx

I think you will find they only replaced the name to avoid confusion. My understanding is the Pro dye and the Oil dye are one and the same. They both work very well. The regular dye has a different pigment base, and results in rub off that you don't get with the Pro or Oil dye. These are generally more expensive and much better dyes in my experience. YinTx

PM sent. PM sent. YinTx

And they seem to be forgetting the time put into making sure you get the piece the size you need, and the time to search it out and then cut it up for you and then ship it. So much cheaper and easier for them to just send you a side. All that other service is an adder, shouldn't mind paying for it if that is what you want/need! YinTx

Here are individual images of each to give you a better idea. I think I got them all. YinTx

I like them. Is that a clef in the tree? YinTx

I have some discontinued craftaids for sale. They are open, copywrited frome 1978, 1980 and 1997 and show their age, but appear nearly un-used and in good condition. I have two lots, and have some difficulty finding what they are worth, since I can not find all but two of them online to compare to. The first set is traditional style. The numbers are: 2055, 2063, 6577, 6578 and 6579. I would like to get $10 each plus shipping. They will come in the sleeves shown. The second set I have never seen anywhere else, doesn't mean they aren't there, just means I haven't seen them. I may put them on Ebay to gauge their worth, but here is a photo in case someone is interested, or can tell me the value. Numbers are 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2019, 2021, and 2066

@VYO, thank you. @Sheilajeanne, certainly not the first flower I've tooled (or drawn) but the first flower I have drawn myself that I've been happy with! I had a separate post in Critique my work where I asked for pointers to draw and tool floral work, and this is the result. Thanks for the compliment! YinTx

Looks like your PM box is full. I did send you an email. Interested in the templates! YinTx

Awesome belt, and fantastic instructional, many thanks. This should be pinned in the stamping/carving section! YinTx

So after a long time, finally finished the practice flower. Thought I'd show off the results of everyone's suggestions! Tooled it on some Hermann Oak Shoulder with a big ole scar running down the center, but still came out ok! First time using Amy Roke linen thread as well, in 632. I like it ok, seemed to have a tendency towards friability while stitching, so had to wax more often. YinTx

I think for some of these businesses that have been around for 50 years like Pilgrim, and have over 1 million parts in inventory, we are lucky they have a web site. I couldn't imagine putting all 1 million parts online with a price so someone could go kicking the tires. I need it, they have it, I'll give em a call. He'll look it up and let me know how much it is, if I want to call someone else, I can do that too. What other websites are you looking at for parts sources? I'd like to add any new ones you might know to my list of resources! YinTx

Experienced or no, that is a large project to take on, and you should be proud of it. Many experienced leather workers won't antique, so don't worry about that, you can see the burnish from your tooling just fine. Stitching is pretty decent, dye is nice, color combo is excellent, etc. Yes, it would be nice to perfect skills on key fobs, but then hardly inspirational right? You can always go for version 2... or pick another inspirational project. My first figure carving was a large eagle on a 3 ring binder... I was driven to complete it, and thus I did. I have some coasters to make... still need to make them... don't know how long it will be before I am driven to complete them... YinTx

Pilgrim Shoe has some parts if he is still in business. However, beware that most of his parts are for later Landis splitters, and don't fit this one well. I think @bruce johnson does splitter blade sharpening, and he's mentioned that Art Van Hecke also does blades. Your splitter looks pretty decent in the photo you posted, what does the whole thing look like? I believe I have the same model. Some photos of the parts you are looking for may help identify them. YinTx

Knife has been sold, thanks everyone! YinTx

I'd say you've got it down to an art. Congrats! YinTx

So now that I have a Rose knife that I am happy with, it is time to let go of this one. This is an Al Stohlman brand round knife, well cared for and very sharp. I'll include the sheath as well. $35 plus shipping.

I too do things the hard way, and would have done it as VYO mentioned. However, this looks like block dye technique. YinTx

awesome! hope it serves you well! YinTx

I decided to leave the handle for "patina" and shine up the blade as best I could, figuring this was the best for longevity and functionality of the knife. If I ever change my mind on the handle, not a big deal. Four hours into it...and then the arthritis took over and I had to give it a break. Suppose I could take it down further, but not sure it is worth it. I like the look, tried to make sure nothing that touches leather would have pits or scratches/grind marks, which took the majority of my time, since those grind marks were pretty deep... all done by hand with varying grits of sandpaper/emory cloth. I spent more time on the back of the blade than the front. From 1 foot away, this thing looks shiny. Up close with the camera shows the discoloration in the blade. When my hands recover, I'll get to sharpening it again... YinTx