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

I had read about 50/50 oil/wax recipes on this site off and on, then heard some leather treatments have additional things like lanolin, tallows, fish oils, etc and decided to give it a go. Way to firm, made it 60/40, still too firm for me. Will make another with more oil in the future. I've heard you can go 3:1 or 4:1 oil/wax and get a softer mix easier to rub in. Overall, it has almost instantly become my favorite finish for un-dyed leather. It has not lightened up in color at all, but feels and smells fantastic. YinTx

The one I saw was a very thick leather, slightly formed to the handle. No stamping other than a maker's mark. Looked tidy and comfy. Can't find it either. That sounds.... not fun. I try not to pick up big hot pans if I can avoid it. Lived that when I was a very young un. Thankfully water, not grease, still ugly burn. YinTx

Everything is straight, lined up tidy, nice dye and burnish on the stamping, nothing not to like! Well done. YinTx

Man that is awesome. Their hair looks difficult to do, interested to see what you do with it. YinTx

I got to use it this weekend, and I have to say I really like the oil/beeswax finish I put on there. And the scars really give it a lot of character as you say. The carving came out so so, that was the sad part. Thank you. Appreciate it! I have a pile of things that need consoling, not sure I'd want to afford the shipping. And thanks on the compliments! Yeah, I look forward to seeing how it patinas a lot. But I think it's a pretty tough cover, going to take some time for that to develop... Thanks! Thanks: was a rush stitching job, and the edging work isn't my top notch, but it came out well enough! YinTx

Can't answer all of your questions, but: 1) regular alchohol works great. 2) Most do dilute to spray. I don't spray so will have to wait for someone else to answer. 3) Not necessary. But you will need to oil afterwards. 4) Dries fast. Most wait a few hours to a day, but you could get away with less if needed. also, reducer can be denatured alcohol, available at your local hardware store. You can make most colors with a few basic ones, so you wouldn't have to have so many bottles on hand. Serge Volken has a video on youtube about this, along with some other very useful tips. YinTx

That came out stunning! Looks brand new! Perfect box stitching as well, not easy. Any idea why they would use canvas for lining, like to keep things from rusting? You should totally start making these things. YinTx

wow, Abbey England doesn't have that available to save on the shipping? YinTx

I have used it both ways: before and after seal coat. I like the finish it gives, looks great, but no water resistance without something else. and adding the something else ruins it's look. So I don't get to use it much, seems kinda pointless, like I already put neatsfoot oil on it, I don't need another leather nourishment. I need a topcoat/seal! YinTx

Got it.

Hehe it'll be like watching the lake dry up, you know how fast I am. YinTx (aka Slow Draw McGraw)

So, found out today I needed a cover for my book by tomorrow! Decided the only way to make it personalized was to use a piece that I had just tooled and experimented on with antique color that I was going to toss in the bin. Suppose it turned out ok! A first, I decided to go with undyed veg tan, a rough scarred up piece, wrinkle marks and all. Have always wanted to do an oiled type finish and let it patina on its own, so figured this was an excellent opportunity since I didn't have time to go with dye, wait, etc! Also a first, made my own "dubbin" or leather care whatever you would like to call it with neatsfoot, beeswax, lanolin, etc. today, and used it on this after I heavily oiled with neatsfoot. Was a lot of work to get into the leather, this is 6 oz. I think a 40/60 mix (wax/oil) is a bit too firm, had to heat it with the hair dryer to get it in. Lots and lots of buffing. Overall, I liked the effect, and I look forward to seeing how it patinas over time. Surprised at how dark the undyed leather got: the tooled piece was dyed pretty dark by the antique, and almost looks the same! The veggie may lighten up by tomorrow morning, as the oils diffuse throughout. Another first, finished the cover in 5 hours (not including the tooling work) this did include making the dubbin! Will try to put up a photo of the back and all it's wounded glory when I get it off the phone! YinTx

Awesome, thanks! YinTx

Thanks, and easy to understand. Food distracts me from my work every time. Thanks. I keep my good stuff hidden away so the "others" don't ruin it. Old stuff my parents had, and I used as a kid, nothing compares these days. If I ever find that the leather is an issue, I could line it with something like that pretty readily, I'd think. Will definitely keep it in mind for future sleeves! YinTx

I really like your line of thinking. PM me some dimensions of what would work, and I'll put something together. YinTx

These are great. Been considering commissioning one for my dad... YinTx

Help me out! I can't find it again. Can you link it? I liked the other better... Thanks for the pointer on the heat shield, hadn't thought about doing that. Could be a new thing for me to work out... YinTx