BruceGibson

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.

Just a quick side note...if the K-Man who posted at #41 is who I think it is, then we have a holster-maker extraordinaire among us. And he's got PICTURES! Kevin, would you create a "Holster" entry here in the Show-Off section?

Beautiful! Heck, David, the bottoms look at good as the tops! Are those pop rivets under there? What weight leather are you using? And do you use the same weight for the bottom and the top? Do you cut your own lace, and what type lace do you use? I would think that Indian Tan/Alum (yellow center) would work real well, but if I knew what I was talking about, I wouldn't have all these questions! The inserts look great. If you haven't seen his work already, Jeremiah Watt does some beautiful seat inserts on his saddles. He also uses exotics on the inserts in some cases, and it looks good. If it's still posted, he had a stingray insert on one that came out beautiful. His website is www.jeremiahwatt.com. Does Sucker Punch Sally's sell the seat pans? See...told ya I had a bazillion questions. And I'm not even warmed up yet! As always, thank you for sharing the awesome pictures, and your knowledge.

As an aside, I've found the word "prototype," very useful--especially when I screw something up.

Okay, SmilinJim, I had to think a little before I jumped in to agree--only because it commits me to show some stuff. I don't have much done right now, so it also serves to force me to get my lazy butt busy creating some things. I do have a holster prototype I can put up, but it's a prototype, so please be kind. First I have to figure out how to post photos.

I had a Broadcast Law professor tell me once, "Everything is easy when you know how." It's reaching the point where you "know how" that's tough. Just keep plugging away and you'll reach a point where you dazzle.

I second that--Thank You.

I just found this. What an AMAZING story. Hat's off to you, Johanna.

Welcome! Very nice work!

I'm a big fan of Weaver. You have to have your tax I.D. number, but that's free in most states. I've had real good luck with them, and they're quick to solve any problems. Minimum order is $50, but that's never been a problem. Heck, I can spend fifty bucks faster than I can SAY fifty bucks.

My mind's out there somewhere, too. If y'all see it, would you let me know?

Thank you, Romey. I love this stuff!

More, Dave, more! :fire:

Very nice!

Thank you! It's beautiful, and if you don't mind, I'll shamelessly steal everything you just told me!

Amazing, Dan! I can't let my wife see that--she'll want one. Seriously. Mighty fine work. What kind of dye did you use?

Wildrose, Very nice buscadero action happening there! And you recruited the Tandy manager? I wanna hear that story! :biggrin: Bruce

Hi, Bruce! Ahhh...the dreaded draw gauge. Mine always lurks on the bench, just waiting for some part of my forearm to come by so it can reach out and take a bite. Dang thing tends to flip over all by itself, too. On the one hand, I can never get the thing sharp enough--on the other, it's always TOO SHARP at the worst times.

Incredible. I continue to be amazed by the talent around here!

Thanks, Dave! I've got a few bazillion more questions but I'll try and parcel them out a few here, and a few there! I appreciate your willingness to share!

Thank you, Dave! I'll look forward to that. Are you making your own seat pans, using existing, or ordering from someplace? Or, all of the above?

You're not gonna believe this, but I have the SAME SCAR on the same finger--except I zapped myself with a single-edge razor blade several years ago. I'm a lefty--looks like you might be too?

Beautiful! Great carving and coloring. Thanks for sharing!