BruceGibson

You're not "supposed" to do this, but Fiebing's Leather Balm with Atom Wax works GREAT on the flesh side to both seal and smooth. I use it on the flesh side of saddle fenders--works great, and it's against the "rules." Try it on a scrap piece. It's good stuff. :beer:

Ain't it wild how that works? I know there are times I'll cringe at a high price, but it's almost always the result of better quality and attention to detail. I was talking to a friend of mine about price, quality, and the "tiny details" today. The quality (greater cost/better quality) of the raw materials provides a much nicer canvas for us to create on than the lesser quality (cheaper) stuff. And the little details DO matter.

Hi, Regis, The color is mahogany, and there's kind of a reddish-brown shade to it. The camera's flash tends to bring a lot of the red out. Makes it look sorta black-cherry.

I actually did a little work this week and thought I'd share...input and opinions are much appreciated. This one's 1-1/2" wide, 1/4" thick doubled & stitched Hermann Oak. It's mahogany, but the camera flash brought out the red. http://gibsonprorodeo.com/GUNBEL1.jpg

Thanks, Bruce for the kind referral! We do carry the Chaps DVD by Dusty Johnson. We sold out the last of our VHS tapes on that one, and it's now only available on DVD. We also have the Holsters and Saddlemaking instructionals from Dusty. The full-size patterns are included, along with instructions on how to adjust them both vertically and horizontally. It covers chinks, biker chaps, batwings, and a lot of techniques for layout and construction. Whether you get yours from me or someone else (Dusty's a great guy) I highly recommend it.

You're awesome, Dave. Please don't ever leave. All I can say is, "What a great guy."

Beautiful work, Dave! And you make PENS, too?!! I just realized what an underachiever I am. :beer:

You can, I believe, also go straight to the source... http://www.schmetz.com/ The website has a shopping cart, so I think you can buy direct.

Weaver Leather--that's where I get mine. www.weaverleather.com

Thank you, Whinewine! I appreciate everybody's help.

Beautiful!!

Me, too! Mine looks like a train wreck!

If this works, here's mine... http://www.gibsonprorodeo.com/GIBSON--MAKE...2013%202005.jpg

If you're planning to buy 20-sides, I'd recommend going directly to Hermann Oak. I believe they have a 10-side minimum, and 20 would certainly meet that...twice. I think you'd get a real break on your pricing.

Thank you Bruce, Pella & Kevin! Very much appreciated!!

I'd like to experiment with shark and elephant--mostly shark. I've seen some of Kevin's holster work using shark and it's great looking stuff. Any recommendations for a good US source? Or, sources?

I've had Weaver do the same thing to me. I've taken on Bruce's policy of "No Backorders." I ordered the OTB catalog last week--they waived the $10 fee. Initial "opening" order requirement is $75 and subsequent order minimums are $35. They've got some stuff I want to try, so I'll be placing an order in the next week or two. I'll report back with my experience. The lady I've been dealing with is named Jackie, and so far she's been right on the ball.

I'm not sure if I'm understanding your question (and that wouldn't be unusual) but I hit the magic age of 45 in December, and my cure for every thing 2-feet out and closer is my READING GLASSES. For me, they've helped a lot when I'm stitching with my Toro 4000.

...and therein lies one of many reasons I totally flipped when I saw your work. Just compare photos, and feel confident that you've "made it." And if you ever find yourself idle (unlikely)...

Happy Birthday!! I'd sing the song, but most people can't eat after I do, so I'll spare you.

David, I agree--he produces some amazing stuff, and I'm always in awe of what he pulls off. I also enjoy the fact that he provides close-up, detailed photos so for the most part you can re-create, or at least visualize what he's done. The greatest benefit -- for me personally -- is not only seeing the potential of a blank piece of Hermann Oak, but several examples of finished "experiments" that leave me amazed. We tend to do our work in isolation so it's cool to see how other folks do their thing. Some may find it intimidating, others inspirational. Great work motivates me to strive for that level, provides new ideas, and gets me off my butt and busy creating. When, and if, you can find some time to wander through Jeremiah's blog, I'd highly recommend it. There's a lot of magic there. And the bike trip cross-country, with abundant photography, is a joy to experience. It's completely narrated along the way, and very entertaining. If you haven't seen the bike seats at West Coast Choppers, here's a link that should bring them up: http://store.westcoastchoppers.com/catalog...FD57C3061537B64 If you ever find yourself with too much idle time on your hands, just e-mail them some pictures of your work and your phone number. Then watch your phone catch fire.

Congratulations on the show win!!! If I said that you winning a show catches me by surprise, I'd be lying through my teeth! I'm happy for you, and pleased to hear that others recognize the talent. I love to look at, and literally soak-up the creative product of an artist. You, my friend, are one of those artists. High-Five!

Dave, Here's the link to Jeremiah Watt's Blog that has the stingray seat insert on one of his custom saddles. I think you (and the rest of us) will enjoy his carving, too. The guy does amazing work. I think you'll find a bunch of ideas that you may want to incorporate into your bike seats...heck, technically they're "saddles" too! There are also examples of what he does on scrap pieces of leather to come up with different ideas for leaves, flowers, scrolls, etc., to use in his carving. As an artisan, he's one of the standouts that always come to mind--he makes the Horseshoe Brand tool line, builds custom saddles (5-year backlog last I heard), does silver work, makes his own saddle trees--from raw lumber to rawhide-covered finished tree, and last Fall rode his bike from California to Norfolk, Virginia. Beyond all that, I don't think he does much. I post this here for the saddle seat inserts we were talking about, but I think everybody will find something to learn from... Here's the link, y'all: http://www.westernfolklife.org/weblogs/artists/watt/

That's all I do--I'll backstitch 3-4 stitches if I'm using one of the machines, and usually backstitch 3 if I'm hand-stitching. I don't do anything after I cut off the ends--you could melt them down with a heat source, but it makes the end sharp.

Back on track--thank you again, Dave. What are you using for seat padding? And I agree with the posts on kangaroo lace--the stuff is said to be the toughest and densest of all leathers for its weight. I don't know if that's true, and I've never laced with it, but I have braided a fair amount and it's some strong stuff. If you ever want whole kangaroo hides Weaver's got them. I use Alum Tanned latigo for bullrope handle lacing, and that stuff takes a lot of abuse with little stretch. I cut my own because precut's aren't wide enough, or long enough. Plus, it tends to pull down and get narrower. For your purposes you'd have to split it down, but it may be worth a try. When I lace rope handles, I saddle soap the heck out of it to limber it up (after beveling the edges) and it lays down real nice. It tends to be real dry.