sheridanman

hi everyone! i hope to get some help here. i know this should be in the leather tools area but i think i get more answers here. anyways i attached a link of a video here and i assume most leatherworker has in some way saw this video already. my problem is, i make bags and i usually use an awl and then hand stitch. i dont mind the hand stitching but i have issues with punching holes (although i can align them well) is that it is too time consuming.. i want to pre puch holes and speed up work by not using an awl anymore and just go ahead and hand stitch. yet still make the holes look neat not like using those chisels sold at leathecraft shops that has bigger teeth the guy in the video does that. he pre punches holes for the bag handle before he sews it and he did not use an awl judging from the video. if he just used that tool to mark the handle for stitch marks and if its a pricking iron which they say are made jsut to do stitch marks not holes , he didn't have to strike it that hard. but in the video it looks it went thru the leathers. and i kept pausing and checking out the video and it seems he is not holding an awl at all. to me the tool looks like a chisel or an english pricking iron (e.g. blanchard or dixon) but i know a pricking iron is not used to punch hole thru the leather but it is only a marker for the awl to have a guide of uniform hole slanting alignment. it is not meant in other words for pre punching. i heard a guy tell me that when he asked guys working for hermes the blanchard irons are just used for stitch marking for the awl to follow. but how did this guy make this tool go thru like two pieces of 1/8th inch of leather judging from the video? what tool is this or brand. this tool will honestly speed up my work since i sew long one piece gusset type bags. the tool just went thru the leather easily with a mallet. and he made the bag in the video for only two days mine will take me 5 days for a bag like that. please help. anyone? iit woudl be a big favor for me knowing that now orders pile up and i know i can do it if i had this tool. thanks everyone and sorry for the long post.

hi guys! it's been a while since my last post. thought i'd share my latest project...which surprised me as well. i made this mini skiving knife for myself. its so hard finding one online that fits my hand and is great for skiving 1/16 inch leather which i work with most of the time. i like rolled edges and the look of it so obviously i need a good skiing knife. i tried making them til i nailed this one. i patterned the handle from my blanchard diamond awl. which has flat sides on the wood for comfort in my opinion and keeps it from rolling crazy on my bench. this knife served me well. and to top it off, i haven't honed it after the first one til now. i just strop before i work with it and it cuts like something i never expect it. gets the job done and the bite on the leather is so smooth and you can really hear the blade cutting the leather which what i am looking for in a sharp one. and as a bonus i gave away and kept some of my bench cutting knives(pattern knives and utility cutters) coz right now this is my skiver and main cutting/bench knife. the last time i was around here i was looking for a knife that could do skiving and cutting. i opted to buy a head knife and even contacted a few top head knife makers. and all of them suggested a head knife will do both just fine. i was saving for good lifetime use kinda knife and its around the $200 usd range. which is ok if its top notched but i can't wait the piggy bank is not ull yet. so i decided to get some steel from a junk yard shop, have the blade cut to my final design and used a spare awl handle and its collar and i assembled it and just shaved off the handle. it just cost me $25 usd. that's a great saver for me. i am still getting a head knife but for now this is my main work-horse knife. it so addicting to use. sometimes i'd just practice skiving scraps til i get the thinness i want. in the pic i made myself a name logo tag with this knife. thanks for looking! have a great week everyone! ritch

thanks TTcustom! you have great skill in this tool making. i love the walnut. i will save up i'm planning to get a knife for skiving leather for folding seams. and i need a mallet for stamping. i will send you a PM. let's talk partner. great work man, just super! ritch

hi TTcustom i rally like the skiving knife not to mention your choice of woods for handles. i like to know since you mentioned this is for a right hander. is the blade flat on the side that lays on the leather and the bevel is on the top side of the blade when you use it? or both sides have beveled angles? i never had a skiving knife before. although i have an old english paring knife that has a beveled angle only on one side and that side is on top when use it. teh underside of the blade which faces the leather is flat. i am a right hander too. i would love to have one of your tools. the maul and this skiving knife. great work! thanks ritch

hi guys i am reposting this tools again i am selling. i posted pics of these tools here at this topic area. i am selling my barry king #2 common edger, c.s. osborne #2 common edger and the c.s. osborne push beveler. i got the king edger for $60 usd from hidecrafter , the osborne edger for $39 usd and push beveler for $11.95 usd. i will be selling all 3 tools for only $100 usd buyer pays shipping. let me know if anyone is interested. i can throw in 7 pattern packs of tooling patterns by chan geer and another artist. all 7 totals to $70 usd i will be selling them for only $50 usd. i have never used these patterns as i draw my own. they are just references for the details of sheridan carving. i have too many books and patterns here, these ones i can let go. buy them all for $150 usd buyer pays shipping. thanks ritch

hi guys thank you guys for sharing your inputs about Knipschield knives. actually when i stumbled on this post it just cleared my mind away from other choices i have on my list for a knife maker that i would get one from. i am in the market for a good head knife. i researched a lot, did some asking from pros, got some offers of old knives(which are great), but i need a new knife that i can call my own. one thing bothering me with old ones are although they are great but most of them i have stumbled upon have markings of previous owner's initials, or some have loose handles. if i got them repaired it just defeats the purpose of its vintage aspect. i am no collector too, but spending another price for repair is out of my budget. so when i saw this post about Terry i was also asking myself a lot of questions, again... i thought i better ask Terry myself. so i mailed him and what a wonderful guy indeed, the service is great even if i was just inquiring. he sent me an exact actual size head knife pattern in pdf format that i can see and if i like it he will start work. the actual size looked good to me and the length of the handle. i can have a clear view if it fits my hand. no more costly overseas phone calls. i am sold on his knife after asking pro saddle makers and some recommendations as well. not only that i can't get over Terry's extra effort to mail me an actual head knife pattern, but he just to shortened the headaches in the deciding process. thanks for letting me share about Terry Knipschield and his creations. ritch

yes still here.

hi guys! i am selling my Chan Geer Sheridan Pattern Packs and others Pattern packs as well. i will be relocating and move on to bag making without any tooling. i have no use for these and i have never used them at all since i draw my own patterns. they were just study references of Chan's tooling style. i have learned a lot from his Drawing Sheridan Pattern designs. they sell for $9.95 usd at Hidecrafters where a relative got them for me as a gift. i never used them and they are all like new. i can take them out from their zip lock plastic bags and can file them in one folder if the buyer wishes me to. no charge for the folder file. i'm selling them as one package. buy all 7 packs for only $50 usd . buyer pays shipping. send me a message if you're interested. thanks! http://www.hidecrafter.com/hci/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=35&category_id=11&page=shop.browse&limit=20&limitstart=0 http://www.hidecrafter.com/hci/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=35&category_id=11&page=shop.browse&limit=20&limitstart=20 SHERIDAN STYLE PATTERNS SKU: 6000-32 GEER SHERIDAN STYLE PATTERNS SKU: 6000-33 GEER SHERIDAN CORNER PATTERN SKU: 6000-36 GEER SHERIDAN CENTER PATTERN SKU: 6000-38 GEER PLACEMAT PATTERNS SKU: 6000-37 LIVINGSTON DRAWING SHERIDAN PAT SKU: 6000-43 GEER WESTERN CHECKBOOK PAT SKU: 6000-44 GEER

hi guys here's a pic of the stamps that are for sale and my hand tools. the pics are not that good sorry about that. these tools will go as a package. PM me for the price! i will ship for free. i need to find these tools a new owner as i already have a main set that i use. i dont use these set so its best to have them belong to an woner that will make use of them rather than just waiting for them to age in my toolbox. first pic are the handtools. left to right is an old craftool stitch groover (needs a new blade), osborne #2 edger, osborne push beveler, japan made 9 stitch per inch stitch marker, craftool overstitch wheel with extra wheels. the 2nd pic are the tools for hardwares and rivets, a craftool set and i will be throwing in an almost new 1/2 inch barrel swivel knife with 3/8 in. straight steel blade. the 3rd pic is a variety of border stamps and the 4th pic are the 2 decorative matting stamps, 2 flower centers and the last stamps are the weaving stamps, 2 basket and 1 tri-weave. they are all new and unused. except for one of the flower center which is a vintage and was not shiny when i first received it as a gift. i am happy to answer questionsjust PM me. thanks all! ritch

thanks for posting and sharing a work of art. the simplicity of your design and color matched the knife perfectly. it didn't take away the attention on the knife who is the focal point of this picture. the sheath stood out still, coz of the classy dark color and neat stitching. the crease on the lid opening is excellent. the clean lining inside makes it more clean and top notched. ritch

hi all i'm letting go 3 of my hand tools that are unused. barry king common edger #2 beautiful cocobola handle, c.s. osborne #2 edger with the maroonish color handle and a c.s. osborene push beveler. among the 3 tools the push beveler have some ocidtion going on must be the climate here. i clean it up everytime it starts to again but stays in my toolbox and i put silica gel to minimize humidity. but nevertheless the 3 tools are unused. i have a gomph #3 edger i use now and i regret buying teh two #2 edgers only to know that i needed a #00 and #1 for thin leathers for watch strap types of leathers. i should have gotten a fine edger from a different maker or have mine custom made. attached are the three tools beginning from the right side of the pic. barry king, osborne edger and the push beveler. thanks send me a message for pricing and shipping! ritch

hi stumbled upon your post. i have been doing this style as well and yoiu dont need a resist for this one. the tooling he did was so deep that when you put the dye unto the leather it disredards the impressions coz its deep and the dye cant reach it as it is far from the leather surface. block dying is one way of doing it as well. takes practice though that you don't hit the insides of the impressions.--ritch

storm you are getting your own kinda trademark now. your begging to be recognized with the way you tool patterns. grat work amigo keep it up. your one of those who i know who strive to have his own trademark tooling style and those are the ones who succeed at the end farther and higher. i always notice that when you tool something its always recognizable that its your work. even if its a borrowed pattern. your practice has made you even better thus making you create that second nature identity when you tool stuff. i begin to realize that we should not stick to the style of other but we should practice and practice even harder to gain our own identity and style in carving things. its like painting youi have subjects and different artists can interpret that subject in many ways. HAPP NEW YEAR buddy! great work from and artist!!!! ritch

hi guys here's the checkbook that i posted here some weeks ago with the tools that i were selling (1st pic) . my mentor ron g. ross modified these old usa made craftools for me into sheridan style tools to do obviously the style before he sent the tools to me. been using the tools for years and they served me well. this was a practice piece and something i can show here at LW on how my tools work, but a lady liked it so i finished it up and went serious about it and stitched it up. and later she's getting it under her tree. checkbook in the ready to deliver stage (2nd & 3rd pics). no colors ,dyes or anything like that i just finished it with a sealer mix i made. it is now all stitched up and finished to be delivered later in the afternoon. thanks! merry christmas to all of you !!!!!! ritch

storm i really like your floral style. it reminds me of vintage tat artists. tehy are really awsome and original. keep it coming man we love your lookin at your work. they keep everyone striving to be more orignal. i try to stray a bit from sheridan style i have been doing some for several years and sometimes i wanna crossover to new design patterns. ritch

hi guys thanks david for your encouragement and i hope someday my work would reach your level and that show quality i am really striving for. and ed the bearman i will be sending you the payment maybe within this week or the latest next week im kinda busy i dont have time to go out but man if my maul is ready pls send me pics just to keep me on my toes. thanks guys appreciate your encouragement it keeps me going!!!!----ritch ritch.remo@yahoo.com

hi guys kinda hesistant to show off here since most of the guys here have really compettion level work so here goes mine. here is a checkbook i have been making for this month. this was tooled some weeks ago. i just got back to it and now before stitching i need to color this but cant decide if i'd just stain or go natural. anyways here it is just showin how much more improvement i need on my tooling. i promise to really get back into it and practice more this style since this is the only style i know and learned from my mentor ron ross. its so challenging and beautiful but my level is still low unlike the others here who are already up there in the show level. i resized the pic so its ok now. thanks all have a great christmas everyone!!!-------------ritch

hi guys! i have resized the pic so here it is. this is not to show off the work but to show the tools i am selling and how it performs after it was modified. these tools are original old USA made craftools and i got these tools from my mentor ron g. ross. before ron sent these tools to me he modified them to perform well on the details of sheridan style carving. at that time i didnt have the money to get me the high end sheridan set tools. since ron was a friend he got these tools for me from his collection and modified them to accomodate the sheridan style . this is just to show you that it can do the style. thanks and for those interested pls. PM me for price.-----ritch

hi guys these are my handtools i need cash to fund my supplies of leather coming in this month. i dont need these tools anymore since i only do mostly stitching. i have my own set and these ones ae just sitting in my toolbox. have a couple of vintage handtools like original usa made overstitch wheel by craftool #7 really nice, a vintage #3 edger might be gomph or osborne not sure no marking. i have like new edger #2 osborne and a push beveler by osborne as well. a swivel knife an awl etc. PM me if anyone is interested. thanks and happy holidays!---ritch

hi all just want to show my time killer. been bored last week and thought get back unto tooling. got an extra piece of veggie and tooled away. the tools are the ones that i got from my mentor and friend ron g. ross. these are the original old usa made craftools which ron went out of his way to modify them for me befeor he shipped them to me so i can use them for sheridan style. you be the judge if i did these tools justice. comments are welcome!

thanks guys! after reading some feedback from you and some lil' research here and there i think im gonna pull the trigger on getting myself a round knife or head knife. my best bet is a gomph the vintage ones or maybe the new ones. i am looking for the small sized ones since i have small hands. the jeff cook knife is nice too i like the curved handle looks like im gonna like the feel of that handle style when skiving. kinda pricey though. thanks i will post my knife when i get one. if anyone is selling some pls. contact me. thanks.

hi all! PM me if anyone is interested, i've got to sell them all! thanks!

hi guys~ want to know if anyone has tried or uses presently a danny marlin skiving knife or any of his knives? it looks ok and is priced reasonably but i need feedback. im looking for a good skiving knife, a friend suggests a round knife for skiving, so im looking for a good brand besides the soought after vintage gomphs and osbornes. i have seen danny marlin knives and he has this angled blade specifically for skiving, how is this compared to an all around round knife thats also used for skiving and for other cutting? if anyone owns one of his knives how are they performing? thanks! hope i can start a good topic for skiving using the round knife or the real skiving knife. --ritch

hey guys! can anybody pls. tell me what is a vachetta leather compared to a natural veg-tanned leather? where can i buy them? and how is it different form the natural veg-tanned leather in terms of usage, can it be tooled, looks the same like an undyed veg-tanned tooling. i would appreciate it if anyone can direct me to a supplier link online or anyone who sells them internationally . thanks!