Tugadude

I you are using 12oz. leather you needn't worry about the holes. Follow the wizard's good advice and you'll be fine. When in doubt, go bigger on the belt. At least you can do something with it, but if too short, it is scrap.

I tend to agree about the stamps. Experiment with a bit more water. Casing is a learned thing, a lot of people tend to the extremes. Getting it right takes time.

You can find a lot of that information in Nigel Armitage's reviews on pricking irons and stitching chisels. Fo to Armitageleather.com and look for the reviews. They used to be in a tab on education or something like that. You will find the iron reviewed along with recommended thread size. He matches up the spacing of the iron or SPI and the appropriate thread.

You indicate you have a pronged chisel. What type? It might be the type that is designed to punch through the leather. If not, invest in some. Since you are "brand new" as you say, I wouldn't buy an expensive set just yet. You can purchase entire chisel sets on fleabay very cheaply. Or there is Tandy, Rocky Mountain Leather, Springfield Leather, etc. They all sell chisels similar to the ones that Fredk showed. Personally, that is what I would recommend beginners start with. I do sometimes use an awl, but honestly, I can do anything from fine work like a watch strap all the way up to a briefcase with chisels and get great results. Even experts such as Nigel Armitage says chisels can help beginner and intermediate leather workers to get very good results. All chisels or irons aren't created equal. Mr. Armitage reviews many of them, like around 20 or so, on his youtube channel as well as in print on his company website, Armitageleather.com

Glad you shared that as a lot of folks don't know about the free stuff.

Hi, I was wondering what process you are using to create your stitching holes. Are you using an awl or chisels. It appears that some of your lines are straight but they get wobbly in other instances. If we knew your process we can probably help you sort it out so that all of your stitching lines are straight. You did a nice job on the interior side of the vertical pockets.

Sorry I can't be of any help, but I did notice what looks like a makers mark on the pricking tool. Is that a flower? Perhaps that will be a clue as to the maker. Some of the tools appear to be more for woodworking. Maybe the owner of the tools performed both leather and wood work? In any case, thanks for sharing as they are interesting. I'll check back to see if others can identify them.

I love the knife handle, one of he prettiest I've seen. The rivets are very unique, never seen them before. I find the little details on them attractive. Not a big fan of the idea of making leather look like wood, but you did a decent job. I'd go for narrower lines if you can and space them tighter. I agree with the comment about map contours. You're on the right path, keep going!

As usual, RockyAussie has provided good information. You'll notice a button where you can talk with an expert. Do it. I'm sure they can sort it out for you.

Looks nice. I agree it is attractive leather. I like the creasing too.

Have a safe flight! You could easily add a piece of leather on that edge. I don't think it would look "off". BTW, you did a nice job of transitioning from the piping to a regular seam. A lot of folks have asked how to do that properly and would say you nailed it.

Motocouture, I have a question about where the flap meets the edge of the bag on the side. As it sits, it seems that it is "open", meaning when zipped shut there is still a small space that is not secure. I don't know that I'm explaining myself very well. But the way it looks, it is possible that things could possibly fall out or unwanted stuff find its way in. If so, would it maybe make sense to extend the side up a bit and fold it in towards the interior? Just wondering what you think.

I like the design and the overall size. That is a bag that is just right, like in Goldilocks! I also love the mixing of color and leather types. That is sure to draw questions and compliments.

Thanks for your understanding, I really didn't mean any offense. I hope to visit Wyoming someday. The only glimpses of it I've seen is in the movies and it looks like a place I need to check out.

Wow! That is tidy. Great execution. I'm interested in the value of the clock itself. J-L watches sell in the tens of thousands.

RockyAussie is our "in-house expert" on all things crocodile. His work is nothing short of amazing. If you are in the market for a purse for a lady friend, you'll find those too.

Frodo, here are just two threads on the method. I've never attempted it but it certainly is a conversation piece at the least.

Chuck, my wife and I were in Atlanta Georgia years ago with our kids visiting an amusement park. Our kids were quite young then and since smart phones and such weren't a thing yet, they had to come up with other ways to amuse themselves. So they played the license plate game where you try to identify all of the states on your trip. Or at least as many as possible. We were walking through the parking lot of the venue and all of the sudden noticed not one, not two, but three vehicles parked close together and all were from Wyoming. I have to admit my first though was, wow, half the population of Wyoming is in Georgia, who's left to turn out the lights. I apologize if I offend, but I'm sure you're used to it. BTW, love the photos of the deer. I live in a very populated area in the western suburbs of St. Louis and I get tons of deer in my yard. Saw an 8 pointer the other day. In fact, there are more deer in my neighborhood at this point than dogs.

Nice job. I'll bet that will age and patina well. Is that for personal use? If so, make sure to check back after some time to show us how it is breaking in.

This, and it is available in multiple thicknesses.

Well it looks gorgeous to me. I like the tufted look, maybe it could even be padded to raise it up a bit. Just a thought. In any event, well done!

Whatever it is, I find it attractive. I love the way patina affects most leathers. It seems a lot of folks are adding patina to "new" products so there must be a desire in the market for items that appear "broken-in".

So if you send a PM to 'Administrator' to whom does it go? Does it go to an individual or is it distributed to multiple moderators?

What happens sometimes is a moderator will check the individual's IP address and post their location for them. Seems like extra work for the mods that they shouldn't have to do. I agree 100% that people should try to help themselves by being more precise. If you are asking for help on your stitching, it helps to know what process you currently use, including whether you are using pricking irons, a spacing wheel, stitching chisels, size and type of needle, same for thread, etc. That information eventually comes out as the proper questions are asked, but lots of time could be saved and more informative answers given if we only knew the facts. I don't think it is heavy-handed in the least to expect a bit of effort up front. It generally (hopefully) yields better results in the long run.

No, that's a legitimate concern. Snaps do open at inopportune times. I'll bet there is a way to eliminate the rivet altogether and maintain a secure connection.