seagiant

Hi, This was interesting! I forged knives for years, including pattern weld, cable san mai, and also the japanese "Hamon" quench techniques! I paid for my shop almost, selling knives made from a set of 1939 Studebaker leaf springs, I bought for $5! If you want to get in a real knock down drag out.... Go to a Knifemakers meet or convention... And start talking about HEAT TREAT!!! Different steels will take a back seat!!!

Hi, There's not much to it. I just melt a little high grade beeswax in some REAL neetsfoot oil on a burner. Take it easy with the heat! Porportions would be about 2 teaspoons of wax to a cup of oil. You don't need a LOT of beeswax! If there is some white wax residue in the tooling after it dries.... Just take a clean old tooth brush and brush it out!!!

Hi, I make a Neetsfoot oil, beeswax mix to put on the belt after I dye. Then I sew and finish the belt. Then I put a coat of the Fiebrings Canaba Cream finish as the last touch and polish lightly with a cloth. My feeling is the Neetsfoot oil feeds the leather and the cream put a nice glow on the surface? Seems to work!

Hi, Thanks for the kind words! These belts are funny. With the top of the line material there is about $30 spent before the work is even started! Admittedly you can buy an embossed belt for that amount. But, I'll have to say it does not come close to this belt in looks or pride of ownership. I so far have not tried to sale any of my belts... Prefering to make them for presents to friends and family!!!

Hi, Thanks fellas, I'm improving! Got my stamping deeper and got an edge guide for my swivel knife to cut the border! Makes for a better "organized" fence for the border stamp I think!!!

Hi, Finished this stamped hand sewn leather belt. Only used 2 stamps! This is a peice of HO 9/10 oz. veg tan leather and a solid brass buckle!

Hi, Yes, Tandy actually sold a kit like that, cause I made one for my sister! As was mentioned it was laced and there was no pockets or linings! This was about 1971!

Hi, Well...As I said, if you can't buy 3 or 4 hides at a time.... You are sort of boxed in a corner, but compared to buying belt blanks one at a time... I'll call it a deal??? Different ways to skin a cat, but only so many options, you can go with depending on your position. I halved the cost of buying individual belt blanks at $20/25 a pop for HO 9/10 oz. Leather! I'll keep trying to pick up tips here and keep my ear to the ground!

Hi, I just finished stamping out the first belt from my "Back" that I got from Springfield. I got a 20oz rawhide mallet that I forgot I had and it made some deeper impressions. The grain on this hide is tight and the backside is smooth? I'm going to stick my neck out and say I probably have the best leather for belts you can buy. Springfield did everything they said they would do, and unless I see something comparable for a lot less money..... I'm good! Thanks for the info!

Hi. Nice work!!! I would of used Black, but that is my taste!

Hi, Can anyone tell me where Procrafter stamping tools are made? Looking for some geometric stamps, but would like to buy US made without breaking the bank.... Maybe impossible, but looking! Thanks!!!

Hi, I thought I would add to this thread as I bought one of the Hand Strap Cutters (The wooden Original Strap Cutter) I have to say it worked fantastic and I cut me 3 nice belt blanks with it. As Springfield cut me a straight edge on my leather already I was good to go and everything went VERY smoothly! Sure beat my old Tandy strap cutter that was made out of 2, 1/2" pieces of wood!!!

Hi, Looking for one of these!

Hi, I'd be interested in a 5" 1911!

Hi, I e-mailed the seller and the 1911 blue gun was long gone! Thanks!

Hi, Can I get the 1911 5 inch?

Hi, Thanks, looking for a used one!

Hi, Looking for this, must be about 20/24 oz! Thanks!

Hi, I like it!!! I use a Shield, nice pistol! Wish you posted the pattern?

Hi, Well....as this is my first jump into buying something but a belt blank, so I'm happy! Of course I have no experience to go on, but have to start somewhere! Thanks again for the info!!!!

Hi, Well....I didn't think my work was that bad? I got my bend from Springfield and I'm pleased with it. It will make belt blanks from 60"-64" and is 28" wid so hope to get at least 16-17 belt blanks The leather has no marks creases or scares I can see and should all be usable! Any scrape I can use for practice so is good for me! Here are some pics, this is a better piece of leather than the one I asked about, s I'm going to assume someone picked it out???

Hi, Thought I would put up a pic of a belt and sheath I made. The belt blank cost me $20 on the bay and why I wanted to get a better price on blanks! This was hand sewn of course, with Tiger thread.

Hi, Ok, thanks!!!! VERY good explanation!!! If it was a "Back" it would of included the shoulder and been more leather. I see now why you said if it was a "back" that $170 shipped was a good price! I THINK I'm still ok with the bend as it should be the best leather for belts you can buy. I think if I can get 15 blanks, I'm still getting them at half price if I just bought individual blanks! They also should be as I said, best quality! Any scrape can be used for carving practice also! Thanks again!

Hi, I thought a Bend was a Back? I looked all over the Internet and this was the best I could find from a major player in HO! I think a LOT out there is import from where ever. This looked like it would give me the most blanks with the least waste! As I wanted 9/10 oz. I thought this important! Got to dive in sometime I guess? http://springfieldleather.com/Bend-Belt-HermannOak-Sngl-9-10

Hi, Oh Boy! Does not sound good! Maybe buy old tools off our fav. auction site? I just bought a HO "back" (9/10) from Springfield for $170 shipped! They said they would hand pick it for longest and cleanest? That's probably as good as it gets in this lifetime. I can't buy 5 hides or whatever you have to buy from the tannery. This should give me about 18, 1.5" wide belt blanks with little wastage! I want to thank everyone for helping me out, has been an education! If I wanted to sale a couple of completed belts to pay for the leather, where is a good place to do that???