HARVEY

As Bruce noted, Jeremiah Watt sells this. And another similar to it, called the Santa Fe Diamond I believe. Thus, he has two diamond shaped stamps, one with a border, and one without. I saw them both at the recent Wickenburg, Az. leathershow. They are both "in stock." Bob Beard also produces a similar tool.

In the most current issue of Leathercrafter's Jrnl (Jan/Feb 2012), opposite page 42 is a full-page ad for The Antik Corporation. The red-lettered categories are in a cool font. Anybody recognize it? I'd like to find a full alphabet of it on-line. Thanks! Harvey

Since it is a practice piece, two things I would consider; 1) practice rounder, more fluid scrolls, (use a french curve if necessary) and, 2) on the flower petals, maybe use a larger thumbprint for a larger and longer impression. Harvey

The BEST bevelers and my best basket stamp come from Bob. I use them over and over and over again, and I know if anything did happen to any of them, Bob stands right behind them. I waited, too. I have been to Bob's place in Farmington and see exactly how he operates; meticulously, hand-crafted, his own high standard of inspection. And his blueing process requires time; he doesn't make his tools by putting them in the oven at 350 for 20 minutes. Plus, Bob is all over the place, teaching, judging, always available to help. The quality of Bob's tools reflect who Bob is. I value the man more than his tools. Harvey Lutske Los Angeles

Beautiful work. As always. You do consistently beautiful work. How did you get the spine lettering so perfect?? Harvey

Yep, I've got two ideas for us, or maybe three. (Never was any good in math.) I too will have some printed labels for anyone I meet that we can just slap on our shirts or blouses, saying LW.NET in red. I suggest we try and meet twice: first time at King's shindig on Wednesday night. Second time Friday night at Sheridan Leather Outfitters. This way shouldn't interfere with any classes or such. Also, some folks may not make it in on Wednesday, or be leaving early. Two get-togethers doubles our chances for meeting one another.

Perhaps we ought to try and get together/meet one of the evenings. For the life of me, I don't understand why the Stohlman Award and dinner was moved to Thursday night. (But then again, hard as it may seem to believe, I wasn't consulted.) That's the same night traditionally King's Ropes and Saddlery throws their big open-air shindig, with marching band and all: a HELLUVA lot of fun. For those folks not going to the awards show, maybe we can get together at King's. (If for some reason King's may not have their feed, maybe Friday night at SLO - Sheridan Leather Outfitters). Maybe we can wear low-key LEATHERWORKER.NET adhesive tags, just to ID one another. So . . . who's going? Harvey Los Angeles

I only have 3-4 knives; Chuck Smith, Standing Bear, my old Tandy, maybe one more. I AM planning on getting a LeatherWrangler's. But I'd like some feedback on Henley knives. Are they really any better or worse? From everything I've read over the years, I know so much of this is individual feel, grip, style, etc. But to those of you who have Henley (or LeatherWrangler or another name brand), is there a difference? If so, please detail what it is. Thanks. Harvey Los Angeles

Just came across your comments, Randy. About all you can say is . . . it's par for the course. Previous shows -- Wickenburg, Sheridan, and other earlier places -- have all had the clusterf**k signature of the organizer. Inadequate information, cancelled classes, not-announced classes, simultaneous events, etc., etc, ad nauseum. Yet a lot of us still go for the social aspects of seeing ol' buds and the eternal hunt for new tools. I wouldn't let the conflict of Thursday night deter you. Since you've been to Sheridan before, you know there's plenty to see, tools to be had, events to attend. Besides, can you go thru the King Museum too many times?? I sure can't. Harvey Los Angeles

Anybody know if Henley Mfg that was in Louisiana is still in business? Are they still making swivel knife blades? I called and got an answering machine that didn't ID itself, just a "leave a message" answer. If they are still in business, could someone provide a current phone number? Thanks. Harvey Los Angeles

Well, Kate, thanks on 2 accounts: 1) Reading that right before you finished it the first time, you reached an "Aw, sh*t" moment and started over (you just convinced me to do a do-over on something I messed up yesterday). When I read/hear about you pros messing up and redoing the whole shebang, that's always encouraging (no disrespect meant), and, 2) I just may have to join Facebook to see your work. Not my wife's requests, my kids, nor Bruce Johnson has got me there yet. But YOU just may make me do it. Harvey

Beautiful work as always. Two things: 1) In future photos like this, could you take straight-on shots, shooting directly at the cover (and maybe close-ups of the border patterns??), and, 2) What happened between 1613-1913? This book is a history?? Of what?? Thanks! Harvey

I like your floral tooling and I like the color. Both look good from what I see. In a constructive way -- and it can be a tough tool to run -- your meander stamping looks inconsistent on 2 counts: 1) the legs on the impressions seem inconsistent in thickness, and, 2) the meander line is uneven. Again, running a consistent meander takes a lot of practice. This is a fine point, I suppose. That aside, it's a great looking exterior. Harvey Los Angeles

Hey there, Cowboy. (By the by, is that John 3:16??) The more I look at the checkbook cover the more I like it. Color's good and carving's good. Overall, it looks like a well-executed piece. Harvey Los Angeles

Alas, Johanna, no. We've got a son graduating the same weekend as Sheridan. (Wouldn'tja know?!) So gonna miss it this year. Maybe we can get some coffee and pie and shmooze somewhere later this year at another show. Have a good time for me!! Harvey

I need to ship a car from Los Angeles to Buffalo, NY. Anybody have any POSITIVE experience with this? I'm looking for positive recommendations on transport companies, NOT individuals who drive cars back and forth. Again, anybody have any transport company they'd recommend for this? thanks. Much appreciated. Harvey Los Angeles

Recently finished. For a friend up in Cody. Finished with a diluted Briar Brown Hi-liter. Harvey Los Angeles

Tim, that is one fine looking notebook. Great floral design and the color looks terrific. Your own design, I presume?? Again, great looking! Harvey L.A.

Anybody out here familiar or conversant with Plains Indian Sign Language? Anybody know any old-timers? I don't mean boy-scout stuff. Anybody have a handle on it? The last person I knew fluent in it passed back in 1993. Please contact me off-line if you can assist. ( E-mail: Harvey47Lutske@yahoo.com) Thanks! Harvey Los Angeles

Tony, There are more things to see than you can shake a stick at. If she has any special interests (out of the ordinary), I suggest she Google them, for example: Carousel wooden horses, San Diego. I'd do that for specific areas of interest. In the San Diego area there's of course the San Diego Zoo, a world-class zoo. There's the Mt. Palomar telescope, perhaps 25 miles north of San Diego. Anza-Borrega Desert, if she's a fan of that type of environment. Art galore in Laguna Beach, about an hour north. The famous San Juan Capistrano Mission (part of the famous California mission system), to where the swallows return annually. In San Diego itself, Balboa Island and the Museum of Man. Also Scripps Institute of Oceanography. I suggest she check with the San Diego Chamber of Commerce. They'll have brochures and probably discount tickets for many things. I strongly suggest she does NOT croos the border to Tijuana. Way too much random violence down there these days. Good luck! Harvey Los Angeles

I like how you did the flowers and leaves around the edges. It looks good. Did you swivel-knife a border, or how else did you get that effect? Harvey Los Angeles

Dave, What are medicine cards??