Jerkeejoe

Thanks! I just made it up as I went. I had no clue how it would turn out, but its not bad.

I finally got my workbench setup in my new house and made my first leather project in about 4 years (law school took up my time). I still have a bit of finishing to do on the pouch belt loop, and I need to line the belt, but I'm thinking about using this one as is for now and making a second one with some improvements based on what I learned making this one. Let me know what you think. Thanks. Joe.

Oh my damn! The bags are beautiful, and the bike is no less beautiful. Excellent work!

I found it! Bob Douglas of Sheridan Leather Outfitters.

I guess I could just make one. I didn't think of that. I remember reading a while back about someone who makes excellent quality blades for a reasonable price. I was just hoping someone could refer me to that maker.

Where can I get a high quality diamond shaped awl blade? I'm making a handle myself, but am not sure where to find a blade. Thanks in advance. -Joe

Thanks again for all of the help guys. I'm going to get some cheaper 4-5oz stuff from Tandy for my first attempt and will post results. I figure after making one, I'll have figured a lot of it out and will make a second with some nice leather from Wickett and Craig.

Hey everyone, I appreciate all of the comments and help. I'm not trying to figure out the type of leather used in that bag, I was simply showing the type of pattern I want to emulate. I'm still thinking of using 4-5oz latigo, but now have some other options as well. Thanks. -Joe

I'd like to make a messenger type bag for my laptop and school books. I'd like the bag to be flexible and soft, but still be strong enough to hold together and protect my laptop. I was thinking of using some 4-5oz latigo, but am not entirely sure that that is the best option. Please let m eknow what you think. Thanks. PS: Here is a picture of a bag that I plan on making mine similar to: http://www.dooney.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDs...p?section=14798 -Joe

Thanks everyone. On the edges, I dremel them with a sanding drum to get them exactly even, bevel them, then dye them. After the dye is dry, I just wet the edge with a little water, and I actually just used the wood handle of my stitch wheel to burnish with. I read somewhere here that water will work just fine, and I have to second that.

Here are a couple pics of my first two sheaths. The larger one is my first, and as you can see, I never even really finished it. It was mostly for exparimentation, and about half way through I was not digging it, so I just folded the top over quiclkly, glued it, and stitched it. It will still work for a user outdoor sheath, but I think my second one came out much better. I may try some tooling on the next one. The big one is the half completed first one: My first one: My second one: Any feedback/advice is appreciated. -Joe

Thanks for the help and quick replies everyone. Hedge: This is actually a knife and sheath made by a member on another forum I post on. Smudley: It took me reading your post a second time to see what you were talking about. Now that I understand, I think that this will work really well. I'm excited to try it.

Hi everyone. I'm new here and pretty new to leatherwork. I've got a question about wet forming leather for a knife sheath. How do I wet form the leather to get a clean look that follow the exact lines of the knife. In the past I was only taught to clamp the leather down around the piece you're forming to, but this doesn't seem to yield the cleanest look. The leather does not full all of the curves and angles, but only drapes over the entire piece. ( I hope this makes sense.) Also, what is the best order to do this in? Glue, form, sew; form, glue sew; etc... Thanks in advance for the help. Here is a picture of what I'm trying to do: