Randy Cornelius

Look in the yellow pages in any major city for plastic products. You should be able to find a wholesaler for HDP plastic like is used for cutting boards. You can buy any size sheet you want in any thickness up to 2". I have a 1/4 inch thick sheet 24" wide the full length of my cutting table. 8' It used to be fairly cheep but like everything it has went up in price. In Kansas City the company is called Fantastic Plastics. Randy

Any new knife out the box will take a lot of sharpning to get it the way you like it. Here is what I do, like said, everyone will have thier way. I have a 4X36 bench belt sander. I will start with 120 sandpaper and grind the blade to the angle that I like. Be careful to go slow and not get the blade hot as that will take out the timper. I then move to my wet stones. If the blade is carbon steel. It it is Stainless . I think your Al Stohlman is. I would use diamond stones to smooth out the edge. Some people will use 600 - 1000 grit wet dry sandpaper glued down to cardboard to finsh out also. It works good but slow process. I also have a leather belt for my belt sander that I made. I use it with rouge to put a really good polish with it. This works fast and gets you back to cutting. You should be able to shave with it. I also have a cloth wheel for a bench grinder with red rouge that works good also. Hope this helps. Randy

Go to a large fabric store and they sell nets that are made for spools of thread. I have several that my wife got for me. They work very well in keeping the thread from falling off the spools. Randy

I really like the design I may try to make me one like that. I think some Bridle leather from W&C would work really well for a brief case Randy

I have been teaching leathercraft in 4-H for several years. I teach a 4-5 week course that meets once a week. I have a course guide that I use and would be glad to share if you need one. We do a bag tag, key case, wallet and a belt in 4 weeks. Randy

Yes, give him a call he is really nice to deal with. I have done business with him for years, most of the time when you call he answers the phone. It's a small machine shop type business. He will treat you right. Randy

Never heard of them! Randy

I have worked with shark and it has a very odd shape that you have to work around. It is hard to get a piece big enough to make a belt for. I had VanBurg look for one long enough for my manly frame for several months before I got one. I have made several holsters out of it after people saw the one I made for myself and I charge 50.00 extra on top of my regular holster price. Shark wears like iron. Randy

Here is what seems to work for me. When I get to a corner I leave the needle all the way down. Lift the pressure of the foot, turn the leather, let off the pressure and continue sewing. Hope this was some help. Randy

[ I must say that his rub sticks look nice. Do any have grooves for edge slicking? He says he can put the groves in for edging and also holes for making round riens but has not do so yet. He will take special orders for lengths etc. I am having him make me one special that has a curved end to get up under the cantel of a saddle to smooth out the wrinkles better. Randy

Yes, it was me that started that post. I have been using the Lexol and baby shampoo since and really like it. What I have noticed is that it reduces the build up on the knife and you don't have to strop as offen. I have dyed leather after using it and it does not make any difference that I can see. I posted a picture of a purse that I made and it was cased with the lexol and baby shampoo. Randy

Sorry it's all packed up and ready to ship. It is just a pocket with a velcro flap as she wanted to carry various types of handguns so it' kinda generic. Randy

You must be confused as Hedge is some of the best and most cut wood for heating. He is cutting Hedge and selling it for firewood and has been for several years. It burns hot and lasts a long time in the stove. Tends to pop some so most don't use it in a fireplace without a screen.

My son Riley is almost 17, he has been making rub sticks out of a native wood called Osage Orange or Hedge. He took several out to Denver and sold all he had at the Columbine Leather Guild meeting one night. I have one he made me and I use it all the time on my bench. He sands these down all the way to 1000 grit and then finishes them on a buffing wheel. They are well polished. If anyone would care to own one he is selling them for 25.00 plus shipping. If intereste let me know. Randy

Here is a headstall that I finished up this week. It has Angora wool on the browband and custom silver. It is a custom order from a young lady that does a lot of rodeoing. Would not be my choise on a horse but they paid good. Randy

Thought I would post a picture of a purse that I just finished up this afternoon. It has a pocket inside for a CCW pistol. Randy

I would inquire with one of the custom silver makers like Hanson's . I cannot think of some of the other right off hand. If you get the Leather Crafters & Saddlers Journal there are several adds in there for the custom silver. I do not remember seeing that kind of stuff off the shelf. Randy

In the early years the "Rock Island Armory" was one of the US Army's depo's for all kinds of Military equipment. In that era the the US Army made it's own weapons like the 1903 rifle and others along with all other kinds of equipment. Later on the Rock Island Armory factory was sold and now is a privite company like the link you provided. Are we the only ones up at 4:00 AM, I am actually working. LOL Randy

Use an edger and or sand the edges and burnish. I like to dye the edges a slightly darker color makes it stand out. Keep up the good work. Randy

I have been doing some work for a local collector of older saddles. He brough in a pair of army saddle bags to be repaired but after looking at them I felt that they may be worth more if left alone that if I repaired them. They are marked with the US brand but when I looked closer they are also stamped, " Rock Island Armory" 1914 HSM Anyone that can share some knowledge of the value of them. The Gussett in one of the bags is completly come loose. The were assembled wrong side out then turned right side out after sewing. So I would have to completly disassemble them to attempt a repair. I may take some pictures of his collection with makers stamps. Some of you would enjoy. Randy

I have been looking at buying Photo Shop to help me work with my digital photos. That seems to be the program most talk about when they want to reduce the file size, crop, change or work with photos. I have a photo program that came with my computer but it does not let me reduce the file size. I try to set my camera to take reduced file size when I know that I may email or download to my website but sometimes I forget then I have a time trying to figure it out or just retake the photo. Photo Shop is about 80.00 and the price is not that expensive for me but I thought I would ask if there is another program out there that is better, cheeper or free. Thanks Randy

I bought a Ron's round edger several years ago and I have never used another Osborne again. Sold all of them on Ebay a couple years ago. When you use a GOOD SHARP edger you will never use another one of those again. They are hard to sharpen and more hard to keep sharp. A dull edger is hardest tool to use with good results. I really had a hard time spending 70.00 for one edger but now I have a whole set. I wasted so much money over the years buying cheep tools, I wish I had spent it on good tools. Ron mades round edgers in several different sizes. I use a #3 the most and works well for 5-10 leather. I have a #4 that I used for heavy skirting. He also has a line of Montana edgers that are made for thin leathers under 3 oz. If you are just starting out you have to buy what you can afford but I would suggest buying the best you can afford. A good swivel knife, a good round knife and a good edger are the most used tools, why not buy the best. I have no connection with Ron's tools. I just have an oponion of what works and this is one line of tools that are worth what they charge. Along thoes lines there are a lot of hand made tools out there that are way over priced that are made to do one job and that job can be done with some other cheeper tool. I know I got off topic. Randy

Weaver Leather carries all the hardware for McClellan Saddles. RC

PM me with your mailing address and I will send you one. Keep Safe!!! Randy

I presume the smell of poo is more desirable than the pee? My suggestion would be to wash the bag real good, scrub in a solution of mild soap, air dry, oil with a good leather oil (neatsfoot) then apply Lexol leather conditioner and maybe spill some colone of your choise. Randy