UKRay

Dave, I'd just like to reinforce Mike's point that you don't have to buy all your leatherwork supplies or tools from a leatherwork store. Look around for bargains and grab them when you can. You don't need everything right at the start so just get enough stuff to do a single project. If you are going to a leathercraft store then listen carefully to the advice on offer. In the main, those guys do know what they are selling and can help you choose the best options. The forum is full of people who will help you get started but if you want an answer make sure you ask the right question. Be as precise as possible and try to explain what and why you want to know. Have fun! Ray

Lovely work, Ed. That knife is very fine and the sheath works so well. Ray

I have both the Tippmann and the Tandy and wouldn't sell either - but I would say that the Tippmann is by far the better made item. It looks better and works better than any of the others I have tried. The real advantage lies in the guides that line up the leather before it is embossed. The Tippman guides actually work straight from the box - IMHO the Tandy ones need far too much adjustment and fiddling about before you can use it correctly. Ray

Apologies for the blatent plug but I was on the phone to Roy at Tandy UK this afternoon and he confirmed that (as far as he knows) Tandy won't be supplying any more Lexol products in the UK. In fact, Tandy have now run out of Lexol products in their UK store. This could have been something of a blow to UK leatherworkers as it was a constant and regular source of supply. However, I am now in possession of a very large amount of both Lexol Leather Conditioner and Lexol Leather Cleaner and will be selling at the prices set by Tandy UK until stocks run out. Both products are now available on the Barefoot Leather eBay shop at http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Barefoot-Leather Don't forget that Barefoot Leather is also the UK importer for Skidmore's Leather Cream (great for finishing veg tan projects) and Skidmore's Beeswax Waterproofing Cream for leather. Once again, special apologies to those of you outside the UK for the plug, but anyone searching for Lexol in the UK will have a bit of a struggle to find the stuff unless they know where to look. Ray

Now you've opened the floodgates, Bob... Barefoot dates back to my childhood when I spent a lot of time in a Budhist/Taoist household. The idea of Taoism appeals a lot and the whole concept of barefoot doctors in China - took my imagination. For those who haven't heard of the barefoot doctors they were farmers in remote areas trained by the government as para-medics so they could deal with medical emergencies. They still earned their living working barefoot in the rice fields, but had specialist knowledge that could help their fellow farmers in their time of need. I liked the analogy of being a writer, media consultant and marketeer but making a living as a leatherworker. Maybe it is a challenge, but in case anyone is interested here are some Design Ideas: In the abstract, barefoot is all about natural materials like leather, wood, beeswax and linen thread plus finely worked metals like silver, brass and copper. barefoot is all about being 'grounded' and 'real' - no synthetic materials. barefoot reflects the way we come in to the world and the way we leave. barefoot is elegant, efficient and effective but most of all comfortable. Barefoot is definitely the way to go! Ray

Interesting idea and quite workable with some thought. I believe I would look for some soft thick leather that will mould to legs better than hard, stiff stuff. To save money I'd possibly look for cheap upholstery leather offcuts and glue/stitch two thicknesses together. Just one point, those things which you are calling half-chaps we tend to call gaiters here in the UK. Much worn with boots for mountain yomping and other manly activities wot I know nothing about... An observation: I have never seen a Scot wearing a kilt and gaiters... in fact, I suspect there is a law against it and if there isn't there probably should be! Can anyone else shed any light on this? Anyway - you might want to have a look for a pattern for gaiters and see how it fits with the one on the boots web page. You could get some good ideas. "we want to wear boots up to a fat frog hair over our mid calves." - I'm afraid this bit needs some translation... Ray

Well, we did have fun last night, didn't we boys and girls? LOL!!! Now we have all stopped sniggering I'll tell you something strange: you two silly beggers have actually hit on a real problem as I'm really struggling to find a logo for my business. Sadly I'm not a great fan of naff 1970s footprints, Luke, or I might have been tempted to grab the barf foot design. But no, ungrateful wretch that I am, I want something a tad more sophisticated. I had envisaged something rather elegant and tasteful - In fact, I am prepared to offer a reward of a very nice bottle of French Champagne, shipped anywhere in the world, for the design I use as my business logo. Is anyone up for a challenge? Ray

Ooops - sorry, Monica, I forgot you were already dealing with Steve. I'd like to see that DVD too - I wish I could source a copy! Ray

Oh how I empathise with your situation... The biggest hassle for me was setting the machine up when I didn't know how to do it. Sorting out the right feet, the right thread and needles and finally getting it to run slow enough to be precise was a real achievement. Hang in there, Monica. I'm a few weeks ahead of you but I have still got such a lot to learn about using my machine If you get stuck you might want to give Ryan Neel a call. He helped me enormously and made my machine work properly for me by supplying the right accessories at the right price. Nice bloke too. Ray PS - did I get all that right, Ryan? LOL - only joking, honest!

Many thanks, Regis. Ray

A little confusion ensues here... I said 'authenticity police', Dagrim - in other words the often self-appointed idiots who insist on criticizing the 'standard of authenticity' of gear worn or used at re-enactment events. I'm sure the UK police force does give those people who carry edged weapons in public hassle too, but in this instance I was asking about the re-enactment society's authenticity policy. Ray

Did this one go any further? I also found one of these in a box of second hand tools and thought it was very useful. Ray

I didn't think I was being hostile - just stating the obvious. Sorry if I caused an offence. Now fill in that durned profile! <LOL> Ray

I guess you still have to womp it with a mallet... How easy is it to change the dies over and could this tool be incorporated into a foot press machine for production work, Regis? Ray

You might like to start out by exploring turnshoes and moving on from there... You will find a number of posts on making these in the archives. I believe some of the forum members make them too. Hopefully someone will get back on this. Ray

Could I ask how much this is going to cost you, please? Ray

Your first port of call should probably be the leatherworker.net archives. You don't say what you want the information for or the level at which you intend to research - both would make suggestions easier. Chuck Burrows is one of the most knowledgeable people here on the forum. Ray

Isn't it great when a plan comes together! Nice job, Dave.

I like designs that work - and this one works well. It is exactly what it says on the packet. Nice job. How many do you lose in a year?

I like the horizontal carry. Re-enactors face loads of hassle from the authenticity police here in the UK - how do your products get on, Dagrim?

I am using a British United Shoe Machinery rotary punch to make the holes for lacing projects but I only have one size of punch - it came with the machine. Does anyone have a source for these? Ray

Next time I go to see them play I'll mention your concerns, Denise... LOL Frankly, when you are that big (most of these guys are huge) you can call yourself anything you like and most folk will agree with you! Ray

I've not seen a fire fan case on here before. A very interesting design job! Those fans really look magnificent when used by someone who knows what they are doing. Not really a leathery question but do you use kevlar wicks and if so do you make them yourself? I ask because I have a set of poi to make up and wondered if weighted and stuffed kevlar bags would work? Ray