YinTx

Thats probably a closer match, since their stuff is machine stitched. YinTx

Unique piece, thanks for showing it off! I like the spots of green color, gives it some bling! YinTx

Likely 532 Juane Fil Au Chinois will be a close match. Fine Leatherworking and Rocky Mountain Leather sell them I think. The binding on top is FAC thread, the handle has LV's thread. YinTx

For the curious, I have finally put together some bits to mail! Hopefully tomorrow. Some Tandy, some Mystery (I think it's Wickett and Craig), some Hermann Oak. Some plain, some stamped and antiqued, some tooled and dyed and antiqued, and one small bit of oiled and waxed with a skived end, different thicknesses, etc. Looking forward to seeing what happens when you wet em and wrap em around a handle. I think if you just lightly wet the backs to form them, the tooling/stamping should be ok. Some folks talk about this with gun holsters, to maintain the tooling. I myself have not done it, so looking forward to seeing if it works well in this application. YinTx aka Slow Draw McGraw - told you it would be like watching the lake dry up lol

I advertise this all the time. I tell everyone that wants custom that "I am SLOW. As in months." So if you need it fast, I'm not your guy. Only one guy didn't get that. And I gave him his money back, no problem. Usually, I don't take any money from anyone until I am done and they have it in their hands and they are happy. What I don't advertise is that custom work is slow. Some folks do custom fast. What I mean is *I* am slow. YinTx aka Slow Draw McGraw

Looks good! YinTx

Thanks for clarifying! I was thinking you had some of those Ott lamps... YinTx

I am a bit confused, are you trying to make rather large imprints, or can you just buy the set of stamps and get to work? Or are you trying to 3D print something custom?These seem remotely related: https://www.infinitystamps.com/pages/themed-fonts YinTx

Looks like a water line on the arm... like it had been underwater for some time, resulting in the rust. All things are relative. What would be "a very low price?" YinTx

Looks great then. Usually when I follow the process you outlined, I get darker leather where I don't want it darker. I will have to try the oil before antique approach, maybe that will help, a step that I didn't do. thanks for the details! YinTx

Dang, I was hoping it would be easier than that. It looks fantastic on the sides! Not a wrinkle one. Clearly a lot of hard work though. Is there padding underneath the leather on the sides as well? YinTx

Unique! And cleanly done! I love the leather color. YinTx

Meh, I'm not offended at all. Like I said, I go utilitarian on a lot of things myself. Also I appreciate nicely crafted things. Always up for a decent conversation on topics like this. Usually, they are better done with a cold one and not via keyboard to avoid misunderstandings, but I do what I can to understand and be understood. Doesn't always work tho. Cheers! My knives have a variety of woods, even a rough unfinished magnolia handle on a Japanese skiving knife (not a thing of beauty). None of my clients care. Nor was that the point of my paragraph. Point is, I care what my handle is, and I hope my clients care what their leather is - not what my tools are. Vast majority of shoppers in my city, state, country kinda don't care what the leather is, and they buy utilitarian and shop big box discount stores. A tiny percent do, and they buy our nicely tooled/finished fancy leather goods. Same as a small percent of tool shoppers buy nicely crafted tools. I can tell the difference when I use my nice tools, and I hope our customers can tell the difference when they use our goods. And that is why pay a difference. Otherwise, if as a consumer you don't see/feel/smell/taste a difference, makes no point to pay. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. YinTx

Ok, I'll bite. What are the 2 lights? YinTx

Yes, and there is the added "Fees" that most other countries add onto anything coming from the US. as an example, an individual on another forum compiled this list of costs for ordering some sides of Wickett and Craig leather: Price of sides from Wickett and Craig $256, $241 - £194, £183 shipping $90 - £68 customs $118 - £90 inc fees the courier charges to pay for the customs. total: $705 £535. So Customs added $118 fees on $500 of leather coming from USA. I imagine that protects a lot of leather mfr's in other countries, and I suspect other goods coming from here have similar issues driving up costs. YinTx I think for a while they were, but with pricing like that a lot of competition is entering the market, like China - easy to compete when somehow they can ship for free to my front door a tiny tool from overseas, but I have to pay $10 to have something shipped from a state or city next door. Also the likes of SLC, Weaver, etc are making and selling similar or better items at better prices. This is good for the consumer to have choices again. I think Tandy takes advantage of the fact that new entrants and hobbyists to the leather working world are not aware of the other options out there, and after all, Tandy is generally a close by bricks and mortar, along with the online presence. Can't blame them for understanding their market. Also, I don't have to shop there all the time. YinTx

KBCustom, Thanks for sharing your process. and....So, no resist? YinTx

If I would have been able to get the Fiebing's paste antiques to look that good ever, I would not have so many different brands of antique laying around trying to get one to work. I'd say if you have it figured out, stick with it. Also, if you are in the mood, let us know how you do that! YinTx

Whats with all these customers spendin on our tooled leather? and nice dye jobs? and pretty stitchin? And fancy designs? and pretty leather? Isn't this all just bling? When all they really need is the pocket to hold the card, holder to strap in the gun, and a belt to hold up the pants? A rubber band will hold their credit cards and ID and cash, it is just going to be in the pocket anyhow, its a _card holder_, no need for our hand tooled hand stitched custom dyed Hermann Oak leather wallets/belts/holsters/checkbook covers, rifle straps, guitar straps, etc. We don't give folks a hard time for liking and wanting these things. Why should we give a tool maker a hard time for wanting to put some art in his craft also? Someone will like it well enough to buy it. Great for the tool maker. Hopefully the buyer is happy also. Yes, lot of people want utility only. I fit that mold on a lot of things I use/buy. It's available. If you want high quality on the blade, buy a Leather Wrangler's blade only and attach it to a stick. For sure, it'll work fantastic. Sometimes I also want more than white on my walls, because it can make life a bit drab. Thats available too. If ya like that spinnie thingy on the top to play with as you think, get the ball bearing swivel with smooth saddle yoke for the stick. (which I want, but I don't have, cuz I also can't justify the $ yet). As they say, variety is the spice of life. YinTx

I saw an awesome creative Paisley guitar strap the other day. I would think you could come up with your own Paisley pattern anytime. If you go to his IG you can probably get a higher resolution image to see better how he did it. YinTx

You have so many unique inventions of your own at work in your shop, you would have everyone green. Share at will. YinTx

I have a set of $10 stitching irons that stitch just fine. I have a $10 swivel knife that won't swivel or cut no matter how much I sharpen it or oil it. I have a set of expensive stitching irons that stitch great also, and I enjoy using them because the look nice, and they have a lot more heft, and thus feel nice in the hand. If I am using a round knife every day, I might enjoy having it in a nice tooled leather case. No case or a plastic one would do the job. I also sell comparatively expensive hand made leather goods, that can be substituted by a very cheap item purchased off of Amazon or Walmart. I am grateful there are those who appreciate the skill and time and quality of materials that go into my products and purchase them from me instead. Now, a Veblen Good it is not, but definitely more bling and cost than the plastic versions out there. Same can be said of some of those who make nicer leather working tools. Leather Wranglers comes to mind, as does Terry Knipschield. They put some bling on their work, but according to all the testimony from users, a lot of quality in the craftsmanship and materials in construction. No you probably don't need it to make great art. But it can make your work more enjoyable. YinTx

From the photo, it doesn't really look faded. Looks like someone wiped oil or silicone "conditioner" on the case and it absorbed unevenly. Also, looks like it is dusty/dirty in the crevices. I think a good cleaning and decent close up photos under a better lighting situation would help you see what needs to be done. When you receive it, post some more photos and I think you'll find good help here. YinTx

Huh. That is amazing. Bet you will get a lot of comments when you use that one! Awesome! YinTx

Cardinal, That is a fantastic work space! You have put a tremendous amount of work into that, definitely something to be proud of and to enjoy thoroughly when using. Looks better than a lot of apartments I have seen! If you hadn't told me, I would have never have known it was a metal building. That wood counter looks awesome. YinTx

I had been wondering about the show bridle. look forward to seeing some close ups of it and your finished products! YinTx