HARVEY

It does look good. And I WELL understand having been away from it for awhile. I think we ALL go thru "The Slump." My only comment would be fade out with your pear shader. a bit. Hold it up a tad. But otherwise looks like you're on your way back!

That's what I'm looking for. Anybody willing to sell some? Thanks!

Although the subject isn't my cup of tea, the superior workmanship shows up clearly. I'd like to see more of your work.

Is there a ratio/formula to use to determine the approximate length of thread you'd use in sewing something? Example: let's say you're making a 13 1/2"x10" notepad holder, and going to stitch it with 6 stitches to the inch (all approximates of course). Is there a formula which works out the approximate amount of thread that'll be used? Thanks!

Wow! Cool! Not everybody can have a Jackson Pollack in their "studio."

Nice! I like that red-white-blue capital A. Sure beats giving the professor an apple.

Dad-gum beautiful! How'd you finish it; what stains/dyes did you use? What's the color?

I like the appearance of LAMPRECHT. Looks good and stands out. I myself am used to see the 90-degree corners knocked off and rounded on projects like this, but that may be a personal taste. But it looks good to me. Keep posting!!

Wow!, Bob. To my way of thinking, it doesn't get any more professional than this. Makes me want to drive to Richland and take a class from you. Just a terrific, terrific piece of work. Harvey Lutske

Using Barry King tools as a guide, what size bar grounders do you primarily use? 45s, 35s, 27s? What's a good, utilitarian all around size? Thanks. Harvey

I'm glad to see you got the ol' 82d Airborne in the group !

Johanna, May I have access also, please, so I may be amongst the Enlightened? Harvey (How ya been, Kiddo??)

Paraphrased from a woodworking site: When all else fails, blame the leather, the tools and the inadequate lighting in your shop.

Gentlemen, I thank you for your input. I was leaning toward a Redfield, but first will look at Leapers. I do agree with the perspective of the more practical the scope (and dollar amount), the more leftover for ammo and leather. Amen to that! Thanks again.

I'm looking into getting a scope for a rifle (Mini-14), for target shooting. I've heard conflicting opinions re Weaver, Redfield, Barska, Nikon and more. Money IS an object. Just as we ask each other about tools, from poor to good, that's my question about scopes. Is Barska junk and/or crappy; is Weaver top of the line? Are they worth their prices? Thanks, Everyone!

Arbalet, Like many others, I have been admiring your work for years now. The beauty of the designs, the pattern artistry, the coloring. All totally top work. Since you are in Kazakhstan and I don't think we are in competition, can I ask you (I apologize if this is rude) what you charge for a piece like this? Any idea in American dollars, or Euros? Thanks. I simply ALWAYS look forward to seeing your artistry. Harvey Lutske Los Angeles, California

Ed, I say to you just as I said to Bobby Park re his cover carving on this month's LCSJ . . . Jeez, is that the best you can do??? Harvey

Thank you, Rock (and Renee and CountryStyle) for the kind words. You almost make me feel like I can actually do leatherwork. (Since I'm weak in construction, I always have my doubts). The tools used are: for the circle, that's a braid stamp from Gore Tools, down in Texas. They still do make tools, even if they don't advertise. Ph#s I have are 903-883-5310 and 800-859-8338. It's all a matter of taste, but I enjoy the look of this braid stamp even more than Don King's or Gomph. But again, it's all a matter of taste. The fan shaped impression is a Gomph-Hackbarth tool, and comes in 5 sizes. IMO, this one's a real winner too; good, clean impressions. A well-made tool. Thanks again, Folks, for your feedback. Harvey Ferg, That's a good point; thanks for the tip. Appreciate it. Harvey

Still trying to get the hang of photos and sizing. Bear/bare (even beer) with me.

There are people in life who make other peoples lives easier. For me, this includes certain people where I bank, my auto mechanic, my insurance agent, and several more. I have been fortunate to build up relationships over the years with some of them and they just, flat-out, make dealings with their various businesses easier whenever I come in (as opposed to some there who simply do not!) I am making several of these as thank yous for these particular folks. I call it Thank You Leather. (My stitching and edge work can still stand plenty of improvement, but until I get there I'd like to say thanks to these people before they or I die.) Harvey Los Angeles

So, yesterday I went to my local UPS store to mail a package to Son#1 in Buffalo. I've been to this store often enough that I recognize the guy there, and I would think he recognized me. But with a million other Angelenos . . . maybe not. He weighs my package, 6 1/2 pounds, and measures it, and checks the delivery address -- Buffalo, NY -- and then tells me for next Monday delivery it'll be $52. I said "What?! 52 dollars!??" He double checks the size and address, and says again "$52" I think about it for a minute and said "Forget it! I'm not spending 52 dollars to send six and a half pounds." He doesn't say a word to me and hands me the package back. One block away is a Staples, in which is a contract UPS station. I go over there and go through the same exercise: weight, box size, a week's delivery time. The young lady there tells me, "It's $18." I said, fine. As she's printing up the label I say to her "Not to cut my own throat, but are there any delivery schedules where the cost would be $52?" She looks at the monitor, turns it to me to show me, and says no. There are 3 cost schedules; overnight, 2 days and next week. I tell her the story about the UPS store a block away, and she kinda smiles and said "I don't know." Later in the day I went to the airport to pick someone up. Arriving early in the adjacent neighborhood, I waited for his arrival call. While in the area, I stopped at a another local UPS store. I sauntered in and politely asked for a shipping estimate. I gave the weight, size and delivery zip code, the desk clerk looks it all up, and tells me, "$18." I thanked him and left. So . . . was a mistake made? Or was something else afoot? We'll find out. I have a second, identical box to mail off to our other son in NYC. Am sending the same thing packed the same way. I'll take it back to the original store I have always used and see what they quote me. And proceed from there. But today's lesson (actually yesterday's now) is, just `cause you're quoted a price from a seemingly standardized, regulated business, don't always believe it, especially if it seems way too much. Go somewhere else for a second estimate. From 18 bucks to 52 is a helluva difference. Harvey

Pete, Now you're talkin' !! Harvey

Pete, Add me to the group not offended. Even though expressed differently than I may express it, I have zero problem with your candor. Maybe I can start a new thread by saying what else ticks me off is a recital of people's medical ailments and/or financial conditions. We all have these issues to one degree or another. But I for one really do not want a recitation of a person's medical history (or their spouses, or their animal's) and I don't want to hear about personal economics. Costs of leather, tools, etc., . . . OK. So call me insensitive too, but I just flat-out don't want to hear it. Join forums where THOSE are the topics, but not a leather forum. By the by, is there a Curmudgeon's Forum? Can we start one here??

Well, since we're all ranting and raving, I'll jump in. I just love (said MOST sarcastically) when folks say "The art is going to die." No! It's not! It's gonna be around for a long time to come. This is a world-wide art and craft and people are doing this in countries we can't even pronounce. It was brought over here to the North American continent while it was still being done in Asia Minor for the past 3,000 years. Say what you will, this art is NOT going to die. Whether mankind advances or we find ourselves in a post-apocalyptic world, as long as there are mammals and sea creatures, leatherwork will be around! Harvey

Jon, If you are a student or fan or whatever of the Indian wars, here's the deal. LBH (Little BigHorn) is 1 hour south of Billings or about an hour north of Sheridan. It is on the crow Reservation, which also abuts the Northern Cheyenne reservation. Approx. 13 miles south of Sheridan at a little community named Story, that is the site of the Wagon Box Fight (1868). And 25 miles south of Sheridan is the site of the Fetterman Battle (1866). There is LOTS of Indian/US Army history in the area. Harvey