alpha2

Depending on the item, I might make a LIGHT scribe line where the stitching will go, only to establish the edge of the project so I can cut/sand the edge to an even distance from there stitch line is. I rarely cut a groove anymore.

True words. I'm 64 and I'm still figuring out how lucky I am! At least my trophy wife tells me regularly that I am.

Actually at that first link, there is a link among the pictures that is a match as far as I can tell. It's apparently a Tandy J787, but it says it's 5/8", is that too large?

I use contact cement and occasionally double sided tape, but not just any tape. It has to be tape that is designed to hold leather together. The stuff Tandy has is actually quite good for the purpose. Make sure to hammer pieces together, (with a scrap leather to protect the project). Alternatively you can just use a roller made for the purpose, or a rolling pin to do the job. This makes sure the cement has good adhesion. Remember, any cuts on the leather will accept the dye much more readily than the grain surface of veg tan. Holes, edges, slots will have dark edges as the dye gets right into the flesh of the leather at those locations. PRACTICE on some scrap to see what the piece will look like when dyed. For that matter, try your stitching chisels on some scrap first, to get your technique down. Keeping the chisel in line and vertical is the key. Hang in there! We've all been there...some still are, ask me how I know. Jeff

Totally Elfish! Nice sheath. Lucky boy.

I see, it's not for just one trout...it's for ALL DEM trout! Nice work.

byggyns for the win! That's is exactly where that rivet is. I had looked at how they did the loop, and wondered about attaching the loop just with a few stitches and staples. Thanks!

I had left this question as part of another thread, but wanted a bit more general audience for a possible answer. I have a USMC Ka-bar leather sheath that has a rivet in an unusual place. My brother who has had the knife/sheath for a LONG time doesn't remember the rivet at all. I don't see any possible reason to put a rivet there, maybe someone has some info on this?

That's what I thought, but then the Mil sheath didn't have much of a welt, and it mostly disappeared well before the blade would be fully inserted. Better to ride on a staple than cut through the stitching. My version will have a full welt, and the front and back will be skived to keep the thickness down. So staples, and no thread being cut. Okay, update...I just looked into the sheath, and the staples are actually only in the welted area, except for one near the tip. So it was a "belt AND suspenders" approach. Interestingly, at least two of the staples went right into the stitch line. The staple at the tip end actually did cut through the stitching, which has started to separate. Good thing there was a staple there, I guess. In the first image, does anyone know what the rivet is for? It's just inside the sheath, my brother has no idea. He probably never noticed it!

What Mutt said, it's not what it sounds like. You're fine. Shocked the heck out of me the first time I saw it! (Now, that SheilaJeanne, though, she bears watching!!!) Come to think of it...that Bikermutt is kinda shady, too. Heck, I can't believe I'M still on here! Jeff

I don't do much "small" stuff, but the previous poster seem to have steered you in the right direction. Don't worry about being a transplant, if Colorado keeps it up, I'll be joining you up there.

The USMC sheath I just received from my brother, (for a new sheath), has the staples. His is 1980's vintage.

I just received two Ka-Bars today. One is USMC in the original leather sheath from my brother, the other is USN WWII from his wife's Dad. The USN knife is in a plastic scabbard with a web belt loop. The more recent (80's) one the snap opens from the front, and has the staples inside the stitch line, and the strap is on the top. The WWII scabbard has the strap also on the top, but the snap opens from the rear. I'll be putting the straps at the top, as per original. (Both old straps still keep the knife from riding up). The Ka-Bars the wing-nuts had in the Coast Guard in the '70's had a piece of metal surrounding the tip end of the sheath. After seeing the hole in my brothers USMC version, I can see why.

Nice! How did you attach the rattle? BTW, nice pull-up leather on the sleeve for the new pen! I'd described pull-up to my wife, but now she gets it. Jeff

I saw that coming, ordered some extras. I also ordered some various threads, but will need to slowly add to that over time. My selection of Tiger thread isn't going to do me any good with the CowBoy.

Yeah, there's a whole lotta stuff that I didn't think I'd need to know when I got into leathercraft. For instance, I've got a 3000 dollar sewing machine on the way. Didn't see THAT coming!!! Edit, the machine wasn't 3 grand...there was shipping, additional thread, bobbins, etc, etc. etc...

Oh, I'm all about scrap leather! I'll be in touch!

So, do you participate in the dragon boat races in Thornton?, or the north Denver area? I think it's Thornton, hard to tell down there. Anything south of Loveland is Denver to me!

Wow. THAT is a nice rig there! Lucky revolver.

Bob called today, 4500 has shipped!! WooHoo! It's like being 6 years old waiting for Christmas. Except instead of hot chocolate, I get Jack Daniels to blunt the anticipation.

To my knowledge, it's the same thing. I've stopped paying for the dye reducer, and using alcohol without any noticeable difference. And, it's CHEAP! It also works great to clean my airbrush when I apply dye that way.

I know of that one, too. My wife has the summer budgeted out already. Heck, the rest of this years bills are already in the bank! She's a machine, but following her lead allowed me to retire early, so I listen. I DID just buy the Cowboy 4500, too). This year she turns 60, and it's all about her this summer. Next year, is mine!

Just checked with "she who must be obeyed"...next year. It's only a year, I can do this. I think. This might, just might, mind you, have something to do with the Cowboy 4500 that I have on order...

Okay, I about lost it on that one! I've got one of those belts and wallets, too! Nice work, Kitten

Thanks. Got it running now. It's still one huge mystery. This will take some time!