UKRay

I can't say I have ever seen a spear sheath before. Not even in a museum. I like the way the tooling fits the design. Nice job, but, like Tom I might have used an awl rather than a punch. Actually, I'm inclined to think the sheath would have looked more attractive with lacing rather than stitching but it looks perfectly workmanlike and functional as it is. Has anyone ever seen an 'ancient' example of spear sheath - and where?

Thanks for that link, Tasha. I've been drawing all my Celtic design grids by hand because I'm too tight to buy graph paper! - I didn't even know what axonometric graph paper was until I checked it out - turns out I've been using it for years! LOL

Sadly, Bustedlifter, to think that we haven't changed what God created might just be the height of gentle innocence... the greenhouse syndrome is far too well documented to ignore fellah... and believe me, I'm definitely not a tree hugger or any other kind of 'green' nut. Before you jump on my back, I'm not about to be drawn into debate about this stuff as I'm already out of my depth but let it suffice to say I work closely with highly educated people who have been researching this stuff for years and they all believe in it wholeheartedly... On a personal level I have absolutely no reason to doubt that mankind is responsible for some mammoth nasties which will affect our offspring for generations. Just look around you... a plague of locusts doesn't even come close to some of the stuff that is going on around the world. Like most of us, I use spirit dyes because I believe they are the best option. I have always used them and, until recently, didn't see any reason to change. Now I'm looking very closely at how I can use these water based products because I firmly believe that in a few years they could be all we are able to obtain. Governments around the world are tightening up on the whole greenhouse gas issue. Carbon offset is simply going to be another legitimate business expense before long. 2012 is a-coming and there is nothing we can do about it other than make sure we have researched alternative ways of keeping our businesses going - including sourcing carbon friendly dyes and making sure our businesses are as carbon friendly as possible and let's face it, a huge farting cow probably isn't the most carbon friendly source of materials. I've said my 2 cents worth and will gladly step back now. Absolutely no offense is intended anywhere or to anyone, but we will all have to deal with this issue sooner or later.

Fascinating, Karl. What sort of container are you using to keep this 'devil's brew' in? I'm also interested to know how long you had to leave it 'stewing' before you used it? Wanna be a bit more specific on the bicarb mixture recipe? T'would be a kindness! Ray

You need to look out for a pricking iron that will lay out the stitches at the spacing you require. I'm not sure where you might get one in the US as I haven't seen anything that fine in the Tandy catalog - check out Bowstock in the UK. They are in Kidderminster. They have a good range of quality English saddlery tools.

My suggestion is that you go for a resin type finish rather than water based. You ought to be able to find a brown oil based dye (try Fiebings) that fits your requirements and any black background can be fine painted with an artists brush and some black oil based dye. IMHO you ought to stain and seal the back of the leather as well as the front to make the job more water resistant but I'm happy to be contradicted on any of this - what do I know? Grommets? I don't think so. Check out some of the work here on the forum and you'll see that top seat makers like Dave Theobald http://theobaldleather.com and Shirley Zanelli: http://www.badassseats.com seem to manage without. Glue is a tricky one as I don't know what is available to you. Personally I would probably use Barge (available from Tandy LF) but I'd test a very small area before spreading the stuff all over... it could act as a solvent to the ABS - be warned! Not sure if this has been helpful but good luck with your project.

I think the real problem here, Ian, is that you are quite content doing what you are doing. The 'poor craftsman' part of you is actually perfectly happy until the bills have to be paid. I think RDB is quite likely right when he says it may be time to head for the bright lights for a while, build a stash and then see how you feel about returning to the struggle. Whatever you do, make sure you enjoy it as much as Twinoaks is going to enjoy his private helicopter pad. Now, where were we? What went right and what went wrong, leatherwise, for you guys last year and how are you going to fix it in 2009?

Superb tutorial - I wonder if we can convince Johanna to pin this tutorial to the top of the re-enactment section as it would be very useful - Johanna?

I'd appreciate that too, Kate. Pictures do make it easier!

Hate to say it, Karl, but I use Barge... I can't find anything that will beat it. I buy it from Tandy in Wolverhampton. Take a tip and buy the smallest quantity you can manage with as it does 'go off' - also buy yourself a nice big tin of thinners - invaluable when you drip it on a half finished job... keep it well away from naked flames! I tried Evo Stik and it didn't do the trick for me... I do have a pot of 'white' wood glue that I use a lot but can't remember the make - I got it from a timber yard. I have used Thixofix in the past - did you know the solvent for that stuff used to be called 'Kumzoff' or something very similar - I can't imagine why they changed the name... frankly, I prefer Barge.

Personally, I would start out with a brand new knife blade in the strap cutter and go on from there. I also have small hands but can happily cut out 3.5 to 4mm thick veg tan leather without a struggle as long as the blade is really sharp. Which bit gives you most trouble - the initial cut into the leather or the long cut down the line of the strap? Even thinking about needing to find the 'path of least resistance' kinda sounds like you are doing something wrong here. When did you last put a new blade in that cutter? The shears ought to do a reasonable job but I feel you would be better off learning how to use a very sharp craft knife of some kind. i'm not sure what is available to you in the US but I'm sure somebody 'local' will gladly make a few suggestions. I tool belts and guitar straps cut from black drum dyed veg tan shoulders and find that a 'quick case' with some warm water and a shot of Lexol works best for me. IMHO you probably ought to check out the threads on casing to get a good overview before throwing too much water around!

I just use my drum dyed black veg tan 'straight out of the box' but I guess it depends on what you want to do with it and how thick it is. I have never experienced the sort of problems you describe with any 6-8oz leather (especially not bellies which are naturally inclined to be soft) so I wonder if you may need to look again at how you are cutting the stuff. Can you describe the process you use and what you plan to do with the black leather so we can understand exactly what the problem is? Talking about casing - are you planning on tooling the black leather or just cutting it? Ray

If'n its a goer then put my name down too - unless this is restricted to the US? Ray

Touché Karl! In an ideal world we would all have access to an endless supply of hats just like yours. Well, almost like yours... mine wouldn't have the strings under the chin because they do, as you so rightly observe, obstruct doffing - and I DO like a good doff on a cold morning! I would definitely retain the earflaps as they patently prevent the wearer from hearing the derisory and hypercritical comments of saddlers, harness makers, leatherworkers and other such ruffians who know nothing at all about adventurous headgear. Hats off to you, sir! P.S. I am surprised that my highly respected cousin Luke (who has more hats than anyone else I know) hasn't thrown in his two cents worth. Now there is a man who really appreciates and understands cranial coverings. His informed views on your magnificent wooly would be greatly appreciated.

I didn't say there was anything wrong with the hat, Karl. In fact it is a most entertaining hat, nay, a stunning hat and one that would grace the head of any jongleur; and if the colours are a little loud and the pattern is a touch bold then hoorah for the dignity with which you wear it! In fact, it would be shameful if one didn't treat such a fine hat as an essential sartorial companion. My comments were simply to encourage you into a hatfest of epic proportions... it should be sported on every occasion. Weddings funerals, romantic assignations, business meetings and country house parties will all benefit from its attendance and small boys will doubtless stop in the street to marvel at its passing. There is nothing at all wrong with your hat, Karl...

Because it can go a tad sticky sometimes, I tend to keep neatsfoot for heavier leathers and use a 'lighter' product on soft leather, but everyone to their own. Maintenance is easy, if you use Skidmore's just use your fingers to work in more of the same. The heat from your hands will help the product get absorbed into the leather - a little bit of 'elbow grease' and it will soon be supple again and your jacket will be a lot more comfortable to wear. It is great on gun slings and other strap work too. The beeswax provides a good protective coating that is nicely water resistant. Check out http://1940sleather.blogspot.com for a few ideas.

You might like to take a look at Skidmore's Restoration Cream - see www.skidmores.com I have had a lot of success with renovating dried out leather using this stuff - IMHO it is one of the best and most cost effective products on the market - they even do mail order.

Each time I approach a New Year I feel obliged to look back on the one that just passed and work out what I've learned and what changes I want to make in the year to come. I thought it might make interesting reading if we each thought about our leatherwork and wrote down our achievements in 2008 and aspirations for 2009. I'll gladly start the ball rolling as I have learned so much in the past year. For a start, I learned a lot about the technical aspects of leatherwork that i hadn't had time to explore before. Casing is a great example. We had a thread that ran for days and days and the knowledge I gleaned changed the way I work. I now add a few squirts of Lexol to my casing water every time I fill the bowl and it has definitely improved the depth and appearance of my tooling. For 2009, my ambition is to get my workroom finished and make much better use of my tools and machinery. By the end of the year I want to be able to lace a project without returning to the book every three inches to check I'm still doing it right. I also want to meet, face to face, a few more people from this forum and hopefully share some good times with them. How about you?

Lovely job, Karl, and a stunning buckle. You obviously have nothing to be ashamed of... apart from that hat! <grin!> Hope you've both had a great day. R.

it sounds like you are having a very happy day, Clay. Aside from a lot of love and happiness, my Christmas present was a set of three Al Stohlman mauls that I've been hankering after for quite a while. Oh yes, I also got a new DAB radio for the workroom as the old one hissed and spat more than it played music. I'm a very lucky man!

Adult section? surely not... although the colour should definitely be X-rated Luke, my dear little sister is capable of almost anything but knitting (be afraid, guys - be very afraid!), so I'm afraid you are on a loser there... Personally, I think it could have been a practise piece made by our Badger when he was getting ready to knit that hat!

Pete, could you please post a couple more pictures of the detail. The work looks great but I'd like to see more! Nice job, Ray

I just wondered if it was one of you guys who made this? LOL

That translation has to be one of the best bits of nonsense I've ever seen - it makes sense up to a point then loses it completely. Awesome!

Badger started it... - Hat envy indeed - I'll have you know I've a perfectly good woolly hat of my own. Ho Ho Ho! You'd better make the most of this one as I'm going back to my old avatar after the holiday. Whose got the best Christmas hat avatar - any takers? BTW: Do you guys in the US eat turkey at Christmas as well as Thanksgiving?