BearMan

Good Morning James, It sounds like the leather was not oiled enough. The process works best when the leather is oiled after the Vinegaroon,,,, but,, I should also mention, that after the Vinegaroon has been applied & dried, the surface should be neutralized. I usually use a very dilute mixture of baking soda, that I "wash" the surface with to help neutralize with. This is an important step. Here is a link to a tutorial: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=14946 I hope this help,,, Ed the"BearMan"

Hi Glockanator, Several years ago I started making slickers of a somewhat similar design. I do use specific size grooves. I also incourperated a couple recessed areas with a different radius. There are two different shaped points, for things like belt holes, & slots. I use only Cocobolo, as it will last almost forever,, & it also imparts some darker oils with friction. That's the reason why the only finish should be oil & wax. If you have any questions, just contact me on here or email me at: polarb1717@aol.com Ed the"BearMan"

Hi Everybody, I'm still kicking!! While we're waiting to figure out our future, I'm still making some Custom mauls. I just can't sit & wait,,, so I had to make something. This one will be somewhere between a 16oz & a 21oz, depending what somebody may want. It will have a Black head, using my special head stock. The make up of the handle is, Cocobolo, Olivewood, & a couple 1/4" resin spacers I make using Cocobolo fibers, & a special type of epoxy. If somebody is interested in this design, I'll be able to finish it, in the weight of thier choice, between 16oz & 21oz. Also, if you are a Veteran, or are currently serving, I'd be happy to install a medallion, for your branch of service, at no extra charge. Thanks for looking,,, Ed the"BearMan" P.S., my Son Beary, is in the process of making some of my more "stock" maul designs, which he will have some pictures of soon.

Hi Mijo, Grandpa's Pastime has some very nice things. Another supplier is Kevin at Hides to Art: http://hidestoart.com/hides_to_art_web_11-10-10_012.htm Hope this helps,,, Ed the"BearMan"

Hi Bobby, Thank you so much for the wonderful compliment!! I'm so happy that you like them so much. It really makes me happy, that so many very talented people are creating such beautiful things, using something I made! I'm sure that Beary will be able to experiance the same joy, knowing that people really enjoy using something he made, as well. Thanks a lot!! Ed

Thanks Ben, Jazz, & Art!! The only problem Beary has right now, is taking good pictures of the mauls he makes. He should have his photo box set up soon, so it will be a lot easier to see just how nice they are. You're right Art, it's almost impossable to really capture the grain & intricate patterns in the different woods. I'm sure Beary will be sharing some great pictures soon. His name on LW.net is: Blackbear77 & his email is: Kodiak50004@aol.com , if "ya'll" want to compliment him directly! Thanks again,,, Ed the"BearMan" (proud Papa)!!

Hi Sixer, Try Kevin at Springfield Leather,,, he usually has some pretty good scraps for sale. http://springfieldleather.com/product/16708/Pieces%2COstrich-Asst.-2-lbs/ He's a LW.Net supporter also!! Hope this helps,,, Ed the "BearMan"

Hi Everybody, Here is one of Bearys mauls. This is just another fine example of what he can do. It's a 14oz Cocobolo, BBS style. Needless to say,,, I'm a proud Dad, on Fathers Day!! As soon as Beary gets his Photo Box set up, the pictures will get a lot better. It's really hard to see in these pictures, just how nice this maul came out. Thanks for looking,,, & Happy Fathers Day, to all the Fathers out there!! Ed the"BearMan"

Hi Everybody, Thanks for all the compliments & kind words of encouragement. If, we are lucky enough to move to a place where I can set my shop back up,,, I'm hoping to be able to make a maul, every once in a great while. They would only be the very unique, & special ones. As I'm sure you all know by now,,, that I'm never satisfied with "good enough",,, they always have to be something unique & different. But, either way,,, I'm sure I'll be making a lot more leather stuff. Beary is very excited about this new undertaking, & I'm sure you all will be very pleased with his mauls. Take Care,,, & Thanks Again,,, Ed the"BearMan"

Hi Everybody, Well,,, the dreaded time has come. The company my wife works for, didn't get the contract that would keep us here. So,,, what that means is we will be moving pretty soon. We don't know what the future will bring. I REALLY hate moving!! But,, what that means for my BearMauls,,, is that I won't be making them anymore,,, or at least on a VERY limited basis. But,,, don't worry too much,,, as over the past year or so, I've been getting my Son trained, & geared up to take them over. My Son, Beary,,, yes that's his real name,,, will be making them. He has been making some, kind of behind the scenes, for a while now. His time to make them, is somewhat limited, as he works a full time job also. He's able to make about 2-3 a week,,, so it's a first come, first served basis. His name on here is: Blackbear77 All of the materials & construction I use,,,he uses. So what you'll be getting is the same as what I make. His attention to detail & finish, is excellent. So,,, if you were thinking about getting a BearMaul,,, you need to contact Beary, & get on the list. From time to time, I may still be able to make a maul,,, it all depends on what the future holds. Those of you that know me, know that I've been dealing with a chronic pain problem. Which really limited my ability to make mauls. Over the past year, that has been getting progressively worse,,, so this move was coming anyway,,, it just happened a little sooner than expected. I REALLY Appreciate everybody here!! Showing your appreciation & admiration for the Mauls & other tools I've made has really made me feel very welcomed! Thank You!! I'm not going away,,, & I'll still be making & posting my Leather stuff. I will have more time to pound leather now... I really want to thank,,, Bob Beard,,, Bob Park,,, Ben Cox,,Tina,,, & many many others,,, for all of their help, & encouragement with my BearMauls,,, & being true friends! I'm Very Proud to say,, I'm a Leatherworker!! Here are some of the thins I've made, over the past several months. Thanks to All!! Ed the"BearMan"

Good Morning Sarah, These are all very good suggestions. They all should help a lot,,, & may solve the whole problem. It they do, that's great. If by chance, you are getting a lot of the noise coming from the type of mallet/maul you are using,,, there are a couple good options. If you mainly get the noise when driving punches,,, or setting snaps, types of operations,,, you may want to consider switching to a "Dead blow" type of mallet. You can get them at a place like Lowe's for about $13.00-$14.00, & they come in a few different weights. If you are getting the noise while tooling,,, you may need to look at getting one of Bob Beards old mauls, because of the type of material they are made out of, creates less noise while tooling. Bob Beard no longer makes his mauls. We're not talking a LOT quieter,,, but they are somewhat quieter. Mauls make with the same material, are being made today. My Son is now making them,,, also. It's just an option,,, you can also tool with "Dead Blow" mallets,,, they would just be a bit harder to use. I hope this helps.. Ed the"BearMan"

Hi Vince, I noticed something that may be giving you a problem. You said that you dampened the tooled leather before you started to apply the fiebings oil saddle tan. TTe problem is that the oil in the fiebings oil saddle tan,,, & the water you dampened the leather with,,, don't mix. Basically what happens is that the oil that's in the oil dye, doesn't allow the color to absorb correctly. The dampen & then dye technique only works correctly with dye that doesn't have the added oil in it. "Oil" dye, is made to add oil during the dying process, eliminating the need to apply oil seperately. Here is the process to get My best results: After the tooling is done,,, let it completely dry. Next, oil with a good oil,,, Neatsfoot,,, for darker,,, Bee's Natural for lighter color,,, or even good old Olive oil. After the oil has completely dried,,, a few hours later,,, that is the best time to "Sun Tan", if that's the color you're wanting. Be careful with "Sun Tanning",,, as you can get too much,,, & there's now way to fix it. After that,,, after the leather is back to room temperature,,, that's when you apply the dye. If you use an "Oil" dye,,, it will darken the leather even more tan the intended color, because of the added oil. I would stay away fro "Oil" dyes! After the dye is the color you want,,, buff the surface with a soft brush,,, or sheepskin piece. Then you are ready for a finish,,, & then Antique if desired. I hope this helps some,,, this is the process that works best for me. Here are a couple pictures showing the results of that process. Ed the"BearMan"

Hi Boma, Absolutely stunning!! Great job,,, thanks for sharing. Ed the"BearMan"

Hi Rhide, Are you possably asking about this kind of "Lifter"? These do a similar job,,, just by hand, you don't hit these. These come in a few different sizes. Ed the"BearMan"

Hi Everybody, Fiebings Prof Oil Dye, is basically spirit dye with oil added into it. Which makes it a great product for things like holsters, straps, case goods,,, where consistant color values are wanted. Regular spirit dyes work better in situations to where color variations are wanted,,, like tooled leaves & flowers. I hope this helps,,, Ed the"BearMan"

I agree Kate!, Their colors always seem to be more consistant,,, with the finest,,, smoothest grain. Which means you can thin it down, without getting the "speckled" effect as you do with some dyes. Besides,,, they offer soooo many shades. Ed the"BearMan"

Good Morning Cattle Hide, I cant say for all Holster makers,,, but I usually oil the heck out of the non tooled holsters I make. I usually will warm my oil in one of those babby bottle warmers before I use it. On the tooled ones, I apply a lot of oil to the lining leather before assembly. I know that John Bianchi dips & submerges his holsters & belts in a tray of warm oil, then liberally wipes them down with the same oil,,, then leaves them to dry overnight, before finishing. I've never had any problems with cracking. Ed the"BearMan"

Good Going Chris!! Pretty Snazzy fabrication on the mount too!! Ed the"BearMan"

Hi, What you are looking to do is done by "dry brushing" This proceedure is for "Spirit" dyes, like Fiebings leather dye. Don't try this with any oil dye,,, it won't work the same. Basically, the hi-lite color is added after the brush is dipped in the DILUTED dye,about,, & wipped on a paper towel, until there is just a small amount of dye left in the brush. It takes repeated applications, to get the color depth you're looking for. How much you dilute the dye with denatured alcohol,,, depends on how rich/strong of a color you want. I would have you start with about 1/4 teaspoon of dye, to about 5 teaspoons of alcohol. To do this type of coloring,,, it will take you lots of practice,,, but I'm sure you can get the results you want. Here are a couple things colored using Dry Brushing,,, Ed the"BearMan"

Hi DM, You may want to cosider a "Workmate". It's a foldable bench, that is surprising strong. You could make a top that you could lock into the workmate, that would securly hold your 12" x 12" stone. Just an idea,,, Ed the"BearMan"

Hi Particle & Rhide, Thank you both so much for the wonderful compliments!! I'm really honored that this keeps popping back up. It was a lot of work,,, But,, it was also a lot of Fun! If I ever get a "Round 2 It",,, I've got some more ideas for another box. Hmmm come to think of it,,, I do have a "Round 2 It" hehehe Thanks Again,,, Ed the"BearMan" My "Round 2 It"

Hi Kayla, What will you be using the Maul/Mallet for? Are you doing tooling,,, or for driving punches? If you need something in-expensive to drive punches with,,, places like Lowes, Home Depot,,, or a local Hardware store carries a replaceable face poly type mallet, that would work just fine for that. They cost about $13.00. One brand is: VAUGHAN 12 Oz. Soft Face Hammer Something like that would get you by, until you could get something better. Here is a link to Lowes, with a picture: http://www.lowes.com/pd_348341-414-SF12_4294857565_4294937087_?productId=3333072&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_quantity_sold|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Hammers%2BSledges_4294857565_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_quantity_sold%7C1%26page%3D3 If you're needing something to do tooling with,,, a Maul is the best way to go. Hope this helps,,, Ed the"BearMan"

Great job John!! Very nice design,,, Ed the"BearMan"

Good Morning Bigtree, Bob Parks method for doing edges, is the absolute best thing going. The way he does it, doesn't require any fancy, or expensive tool. Bob has helped so many people create so much better edges,,, myself included. If you follow his instructions,,, you edges will look better than the ones pictured in your post. Ed the"BearMan"

Hi Everybody, Here are a few of my "Homemade" tools. The first is a "Skiver" made using some O1 steel I had on hand with a Sika Deer antler, nickel silver bolster, some decoration on the blade & a Garnet in the end,, just because. The next is a "Sharpening Jig" very simple design,,, but works great for both sharpening & stropping. The swivel knife mounting block is adjustable, for different angles. The next are a couple small tools, a Petal Lifter, & a modeling tool,,, these went in my Son's box. Next are a couple types of stitiching clamps,,, one you sit on,,, & the other is for long & deep projects, like Bible covers. The last one here is my "Rapid Repeater", to punch all the stitching holes in a project, using a very sharp awl blade. Thanks for looking,,,, I have more,,,, but don't want to overload Ya'll,,, hehehe Ed