King's X

I have a guild member looking for some woven horse hair for a belt project he is considering. He asked me, but I have never seen such an item, but I thought I would post it on here? I am thinking that it would be put on a belt as an applique item? If anyone can provide a source, I would be happy to pass it on. Many thanks in advance!

Simon Bennett is the proprietor and he is great to work with. I have purchased several books from him and even though they are written in Japanese they are ridiculously visual with many photographs to help any crafter without the language. I have also purchased some of the swivel knifes and they are much better than the Tandy general swivel knifes. The actions are smooth and spin without skipping a beat. You will not be dissatified with the service from GoodsJapan. Enjoy!

Very nice work you have there! I really like the colors you used and how they project through the glass. On a side note: It is interesting what I learned about what tools others crafts people use. These are great! A water bottle with a pump or the rolling pin (in case my kids bother me). I also tool barefoot occasionally. thanks for sharing!

Welcome to the forum and greetings from Central Texas!

Welcome to the forum Patty and greetings from Central Texas! The only stupid or boring questions are going to be the ones that you do not ask! So sit back take a look around the deep corners around this site and enjoy! Were sure glad you are here! Enjoy!

Awesome job Rawhide! I wish I could color better. I usually have to beg another member to do it for me. Just don't have it in me yet. One thing at a time to accomplish. I hope all is well in ice cream land. Take care......oh almost forgot.....nice maul!

Do you worry about sweat or other water damage? Dye running?

Welcome to the forum and greetings from Central Texas, USA. Thanks for joining my LW Friends network.

Welcome to the forum and greetings from Central Texas, USA We have quite a few UK members on here. Happy Carving!

One of the tandy stores in Fort Worth (not the HQ) has a truck load of it if you are interested. Good luck

Welcome to the forum and greetings from Central Texas!

Interesting!

It has been my understanding back when I started using EVOO that pure olive oil may give you the rancidity effect, but the proceeded or extra virgin olive oil will not. Now, I agree with JRedding that the amount used on any given leather project is minimal and nowhere, even on here will you read that people are 'dunking' or 'soaking' their leather in any oil. Causing it to drip even after a prescribed 'soaking in' time period. I can see where this maybe a problem. More than not, you will read or hear people describing the application of a 'light coat' of oil being applied. I have even read on here where some leather artists have applied oil to their projects and then post it outside in the sun for short time to 'tan' a bit. People use different processes and therefore have different results. Either way, I would run some of your own tests to see how it works for you. Plus, a generic bottle of Costco EVOO is much cheaper than neatsfoot oil. Since I run a hobby shop and not a business, my funds have to be stretched since they are not replenished after a sale. Good luck.

If it is truly Hermann Oak, it is on. Live Oak is a Tandy brand of leather....Not their top of the line, but somewhere in the middle. I have made a few wallets to my credit and I use 3/4 oz because by the time I line it and put in my pockets, I do not want it to be too thick. As mentioned before our partners at Springfield Leather sell basic and top of the line wallet liners for wallets. Can go wrong with either of their products for turning out wallets. I know that others have differences when it comes to wallet weights, but that is what works for me! Good luck

Email or call WC at Standing Bear's in Reseda, California. He told me about it and encouraged me to pick up a quart. I know that I remember seeing a video of Bob Beards where he used it on his project. It seems (to me) to give the leather a creamered down coffee color finish, not blonde, but now tan either? Call WC up!

That came out very cool! Nice colors.

Dude! Stop!! First, your son's gift and now this.......stop the awesome work insanity! Awesome....wow!

Welcome to the forum and greetings from Central Texas! Your pictures show a good start. Your pieces look alot like my beginner pieces, which I have a reminder of since I turned one of my first floral pieces into a leather weight and use it daily. Practice with your swivel knife a bit more and try your hand at straight and curve lines. If you get a chance and can afford the book, I would recommend the Tandy Leather craft manual located at the same store. I believe it is listed for $14? In my opinion it is a good starter bible for leathercraft. Happy Carving!

My personal opinion only: I use oil, not as a finish, but a suppliment for leather after tooling. For me (I am not chemist and I do not play one on TV either) I find that tooling dries out the leather causing it to become a bit stiff when it dries from the stamping. Now, there are a lot of variables to the above statement. I based this on my own experiences. Now, I use two types of leather sources depending on what I have on hand or need last minute. I am at the end of my Hermann Oak stash, I purchased 5 double shoulders from Siegal of CA and in a pinch I have purchased some of Tandy's imported leather. For my Hermann Oak, it is a toss up when I tool on whether I use oil. If it a big project that will take a lot of carving and stamping, I will probably apply oil after tooling. My Siegal leather is also a toss up on the application of oil depending on the status of the leather part. The Tandy Leather is almost definately in need of oil after tooling. I could commit homicide due to the stiffness after tooling. On some of Tandy's leather (the one that has a 8 o'clock shadow of skin on the flesh side) I will definately have to apply oil to both sides. I've thought about making a swatting paddle out of a piece due to the stiffness of the leather. As for which oil I use. I have found (again, my opinion) that the neatfoot oil will darken my leather a bit, but more than a bit on Tandy leather or any other blonde colored veg-tan. The EVOO will not cause a darker shade after application. So...........If I am using Tandy leather or my Seigel leather, I may very well use neatfoot since I know that it will turn it a darker shade of brown. My Hermann Oak, not a problem, stick EVOO on it and move on. I would highly recommend that you test out pieces of leather that you have on hand to see how things work out for you! Good luck

Sad news!

By chance, did you have a fan on or the AC blowing anywhere near your finishing bench area?

Very interesting designs!

I use a gum eraser and it works quite well.....but caution, do not rub too hard or you will disburb the finish. You can try a bit of Goo-Gone, that should work without disturbing the finish. Good luck.