Sheilajeanne

I have a question: what would flat black 'ant streak' look like, and how would you apply it? Sounds like you'd use it like an antique?

What are the store bought harnesses that bust up within a month or so? There are many different harness designs. The one most frequently used for pulling is the x-back harness: https://www.mondou.com/en-CA/p-x-back-classic-dog-harness-for-towed-sports/1019908-MASTER?gclid=CjwKCAiA_ZTfBRBjEiwAN6YG4V0otGz_Pp_se_hsdYhNWijQdvjhGbYHtLsJT2FY4TQ16hF4BRLGoBoCKJoQAvD_BwE But there are other kinds too: https://grossenbacher-beat.ch/en/dogs/product/dog-sledding-harness https://homesecurity.press/quotes/dog-weight-pulling-harness.html https://www.all-about-cane-corso-dog-breed.com/leather-dog-harness-c-4_28/trackingpullingagitation-leather-dog-harness-for-cane-corso-breed-p-1.html Of course, the harnesses shown in nylon can also be made in leather. I really don't get how these harnesses are falling apart after just a month. I've used a nylon harness for tracking for many years, along with a 30 ft. nylon horse's lunge line, and both are still in perfect shape. I also use the harness for protection, and the dog pulls against it very strongly. It's held up very well. Leather harnesses should last for many years too, if they are made of good leather to start with. I've seen horse tack that was 30 years old, but still in excellent condition. Leather harnesses do require routine maintenance to keep them in good shape. They need to be cleaned with saddle soap, and sometimes oiled with neatsfoot oil when the leather starts to dry out. They should never be exposed to excessive heat. And to stand up to the wear and tear of pulling, they need to be made of good quality leather, either latigo or bridle leather, which has been treated with waxes and oils to make it resistant to water and sweat. I've lived in northern Ontario, and attended a number of sled dog races. The mushers as a rule use nylon harnesses because they are cheaper than leather, and don't need maintenance other than occasional cleaning.

Bacchus, the God of wine, right? Amazing skills, Mike!

Okay, one thing to check: is your punch razor-sharp? That could make a huge difference.

Very creative! What did you use to make the white lines between the 'logs'?

LOL!!

Mine are in a Rubbermaid container that's just a little taller than the bottles. Same idea- if they tip over and leak, the mess is contained. The ones that are REALLY leaky are also in ziplock bags inside the container.

Thought this was worth sharing!

[siiigh!] You are SO talented!! You are making us all jealous!

Okay, gotcha! You obviously put a lot of thought into this!

Okay what am I looking at when I see the inside of the pad? Is that the flesh side of the leather that's so very white? I think it would look better if you dyed it to more or less match the rest of the inside. Also, the pad clip should be centered and on the other side of the pad, so any paper you clip to it doesn't block access to the card holder. I have several commercially made padfolios and the pad is ALWAYS on the right side, and so is the clip if there is one. Also, having it on the right will prevent the rivets from the clip eventually marring your lovely carving and stamping!

I don't see any problems with it. Why wouldn't you sell it for full price? I'm assuming that white mark on the far right side is something to do with your signature, and not a wonky stitch!

Actually, it WAS flexible when in the package at room temperature. It felt kind of like really stiff Jello. It only got sticky when heated. We'd wash it off our tools with water, and I remember it was kind of gummy in its dry state, not brittle.

Oh dear...and here I've been planning to scan hundreds of old family pictures onto my computer, and throw out the originals, to free up storage space! It would also make the pictures more readily available as they aren't in albums!

When I spent a summer working in a factory, we used hot glue made from horse's hooves for gluing the covers on cardboard binders. It came in a package of a solid gelatin type substance. We'd unwrap it and put it in the glue machine where it would melt into a liquid. It looked sort of like the gel left in the casserole after cooking chicken. Okay, we were TOLD it was from horses' hooves, but as there was nothing on the package to say what was in it, it might have been some other animal byproduct.

Floppies?

Me too, BD! Could only dream of doing something like that! Very fine work!

Yes, that would be neat, but I do think it would damage the strength of the pad. So, probably NOT such a great idea, especially given the heavy use the pad will take! I just took a look back at the original pattern, and it has silver conchos in the corners. The leather has been tooled with a background stamp, maybe A 104. It almost makes the corners look like they are an inlay of cork!

I think it looks very nice so far. But there's something I'm still trying to figure out: did you remove the leather from the corners of the design, or is it just that the leather is so pale, it's hard to tell it's there? If so, neat little creative 'take' on the design! What are you planning to put where the corners are?

Thank you all! I think change purses are one item that can be made up fairly quickly, and sell well. I saw leather belts made in China on sale for $10 in Canadian Tire, so I am not planning to go into making belts to sell anytime soon, unless someone asks for a custom order! Probably will keep the one hand-tooled belt I've done so far for myself.

Where can I get hinged metal frames that snap together at the top, the type that are used in ladies' change purses?

Yeah, if you can arrange your piece so there is a stitch line over the edge of the split, I imagine that would help keep it in place. I'd be careful when burnishing though - too much pressure might cause the split to open up again.

I'm planning to do that one too sometime in the near future! https://www.leathercraftlibrary.com/product/1954/2012-catalog-186-cover-bonus-pattern

I was just looking at that page! :D

Yes, see the link I posted above! Piece of history, and it looks to be in good shape. Maybe my offer won't be good enough! Their Bowie knives are much sought-after collectors items!