Big Papa Leather

Looks cool. I like the minimalist look as well. Allen

OK, here is a picture of the Tandy Biker wallet kit I just finished. I had posted a question about liners in the How you do that folder. But I ran with scissors and did it my way ;)Alright, the kit was done pretty much like it was intended, however since I did the liner I used a whip stitch and had to hand sew a stiffener to hold the top of the liner on the back cash pocket. It wasn't until I was finished that I realize that I used the blue eye skull dude so much. The only part not lined is the "bellows internal pocket that makes up the two sides.It was finished using the Eco-Flo smoke black stain. It has a fresh coat of leather sheen that I hope will dull some as the idea was to make it look a bit worn. I have never carried such a wallet, man it is thick! I doubt I could ever wear it out though....I don't know how long it takes folks who do this for money, but I'd be headed "fo tha poe hawse" in a hurry if I was making these to sell! LOL!Anyway enjoy. Please let me know what you think.

I started out using a iron on binder thing, but I did not like it, so I scraped it. I only used a thin strip to fold the liner over so I could make the liner terminate in a pocket that the top would be exposed. It gave me a place to sew that wasn't just the cloth material and reinforced the top fold of the liner. All that is left is the lacing. I am a bit embarrassed, I am ex-navy, was a search and rescue volunteer for mountain rescues and still do a lot of repelling., but.... I can not for the life of me make the double loop lacing look right. I have tied and untied so many knots over the years that I can do most with my eyes closed hanging upside down. But this dang ole double loop lacing infuriates me! Maybe I should hang upside down and try it.... Allen

I guess it would have been more prudent to as this before I got this far... but I am making a kit biker wallet and planned on lining the thing with some cool skull and roses patterned material. The theme is obviously skulls throughout with tooling on the outside. Anyway, I used a iron on stiffener to attach the material to and then was going to put the liner into the places it would be seen, but man.. a biker wallet is already thick... the binder stuff makes it thicker. Should I forgo and just put the liner onto the leather? Does the liner get glued to the leather or will the stitching/lacing be enough? HELP! Allen

I agree with BradB. Pack them and send them ahead of you via postal or UPS. If they are delayed for some reason, you won't be sitting waiting for them to clear so you can be cleared as well. Just a thought. Allen PS. Congrats!

That makes sense Dave. I think what I like about the gels are they are so smooth. The Parker inserts do not seem to write as free flowing. Atleast to me. Thanks for sharing! Allen

My daughter walked up while I was reviewing the photo and she said.... "Look at all the King Tut Monkeys!" She then pointed it out to me. I hope you do not take this as an insult to your work, because that is not the intent. She is 11 y/o and pointed it out. I thought it was cute and when I see the photo it is always there now! Again I think the pattern is so creative but kind of looking at clouds sometimes we see figures and animals. Also just to the right and left of the monkey do you see skulls wearing beanie/skully type caps? Allen

Dave, Awesome. I am sure she will cherish them both. I do not make pens but have bought quite a few custom made pens in my time. I prefer the slim line models myself. But you collection is terrific! I'd like to find a custom made pen with a gel insert instead of the Parker type refills. Allen

I can't find my camera! I made a cell phone case today made from the Tandy type pattern. Instead of riveting the case together I used a whip stitch and lace around the opening and around the holes on the sides. I used a piece of lizard remnant I had. I could not cut it in one solid piece so I stitched the back piece onto the front using a regular saddle stitch. I did use one rivet to hold the clip onto the leather. I also lined the inside with a piece of chrome tanned upholstry leather. I made it a bit snug to begin with, then after doing the lace, it snugged up some more! Now it is very tight but it should stretch out a little. Once I get the camera I'll shoot a photo. My lacing in not the best in the world. Allen

Thanks for the reply. Yes that is a hunk of steel to lug around. Not to hi-jack but I'm debating a small of the back "mexican carry" style holster as a cool project. I havent found one that I liked and if I made it myself maybe I'd get closer to what I wanted. Back on topic. Allen

That is fantastic looking! I live in Burnet not to far from you.... maybe one afternoon you can teach me to do that! Just playing. As dense as I am it make take atleast all day. All kidding aside, that is a sweet sheath. Allen

I think I will try lacing the next time I use it. I went back and ised a dremel with a sanding bit and "softened" the edges a bit and recoated them. It looks good and not as sharp feeling. I too used the back to punch the holes after trying the front and the pebbles shattering. The stitching followed the less than uniform nature of the pebbles. Allen

Looks great Jordan. I hope to get to the point my skills are so that I may attempt such a project. May I ask is the holster and belt meant to be carried/worn. Or is it more for show? The reason I as is the retention snap that far down the holster might present a problem in a tactical drawing situation. Just the gun nut cop stuff left over in me. I have a tendency to see everything in a tactical, how can I use this to kill sumpthin mentality. Looks great and I would wear it around the property with no problem, but prolly unsnapped.

I bought a stingray hide off Ebay a few years back. It sat in the gun safe for a few years. It originally was going to be a leather handle cover for an old Navy knife I re-did. Anyway instead of doing the ray skin I just put stacked leather as the original had. I was playing around Saturday and cut off a chunk to make a money clip for my son. Cutting it was a bear! Then once it was cut, sewing it was even tougher than I expected. I ended up using a 4 prong diamond hole tool to punch through from the backside to keep from crushing and fragmenting the little black pebbles. The stitching is kind of ragged looking due to the irregularities in the pebbled surface. Anyway back to my orginal point. Question # 1 On the cut edges the cut pebbles had a white crust look where some were cut through or shattered. I used a regular old edge dressing to blacken them up and make it presentable, but I know that will wear off with time. How do you properly address this cut edge of the ray skin? I'd add a photo but my son saw it and high jacked it immediately upon reailzing I was done stitching. It will take an act of congress to get it back even long enough to photo! Question #2 I still have quite a bit of hide left and the ever so valuable diamond pearl section in the middle. I want to use it in a wallet later once I get more confortable with the stitching (making it straighter and more even in length. Even by using the punch/prong took, sometimes the pebbles only give and the stitches ran a bit longer which made the next stitch look short? Does that make sense? Does anyone have a finished stitching technique that resolves this issue? Thanks in advance! Allen

Thanks for the offer Ryan, I am so new at this leather thing that I can honestly say that sending some to me will just confuse me even more! I have a hard time sorting through the easy stuff! Thanks again Allen

The snaps look pretty cool. I will be interested when the snaps become available. Allen

Thanks for the offer Freak. Unfortunately I will be in Austin on Saturday. My daughter has a 3 meter diving training session at UT Saturday. We usually end up there all day. I will be investing some $$$ in tools soon. Allen

I know this is all subjective and up to descisions each crafter should make, but I have looked on Etsy and other craft type sites and found pricing from the ridiculously low to the obscenely high. I am looking at your staple leather goods, belts, wallets, small handbags etc. On the lower end if these were made from kits the wallets are being sold for cost in some instances. On the other end, whoa..... 8X markup. Just as some of the other threads mentioned 2X material cost is understandable. Then an acceptable labor rate correct? Now I'm not knocking anyone who is commanding primo $$$ for thier work. If you can get it more power to ya I say. Just looking to find a happy medium for me if I decide to sell my stuff. Right now I'd have a hard time giving it away. Just a little insight would be appreciated. PS if you want you can contact me off list on this subject.... scissormedic at gmail dot com. Allen

i have followed the Koi Dragon seat and think it is awesome. I will be buying more tools soon. What I have is a small bunch of hodge podge stuff that has no real direction (as far as tools) I will be getting bevelers and backgrounders soon. Allen

Hello all, Here is an attempt at carving a koi. I really nned to invest in a couple bevelers and other tools. This was all done with a swivel knife, pear shader and a figural shader. One day I'll get the right tools (maybe tomorrow) LOL. I chose too dark a stain and the scales do not show as much as I would have liked. It is a practice piece so if you critique be gentle. Ha HA Also I went really small. Maybe I should try to do designs a bit larger? Next time I think I'm also going to cut the scales then tap them with the pear shader to get more texture. Week 3 and I am definatley hooked. Allen

Hey Sam, I took a western floral carving class from a Longhorn Guild member. I am absolutely aweful with names. Bill maybe? At Tandy there in Austin last Saturday. I might join ya'll next meeting... if I can remember the date ya'll meet. Second Tuesday? ???? Allen

I found it. It is unfinished so it doesn't show detail as well as if it had a stain or something on it. I was impressed that I could turn out something this cool! Allen

Thanks, I can see the errors I made since I took that carving class. I am looking for the floral carving we did in the class and I'll post it up when I find it. The tool is Craftool E294-03 got it at Tandy leather in Austin. Allen

For the swivel you could use a radio type swivel used often in Law Enforcement Duty Rigs. The radio extends down and needs to swivel in order to sit. The slotted male portion has to be rotated around in order to be released from the female holder. It would be easy to incorporate into the holster and belt. The if needed the beer holster could be removed from the belt and other attachements could be made to replace it. Maybe a larger holster for a 5th of Whiskey. In the case of hammers, maybe you can swap it for other tool holders. At $3.50 or so they are pretty reasonable. Allen

Hello, My name is Allen. I am new to leather crafting. So new that I have only about 2 weeks under my belt. Actually I want to make a belt so I can but some weeks under it. ( insert rim shot here) Anyway, a bit about myself. I am a pretty diverse type dude. I enjoy 4 wheel drive vehicles, Guns, knives, and other stuff. I am a father of 3 great kids and married for 16 years. I have been in public service most of my adult life, Military, emergency medical responder (paramedic) and Law Enforcement. After many, many years of dealing with other peoples misery I decided I had to do something different. Started my own business and finally starting to have a little more faith in humanity. (yeah, I know kind of dark, but true) Anyway, I hope to learn alot. So far I am impressed and intimedated by some the the great stuff on here. I have something to strive for that is for sure. Please bare with my questions if they are newbi' ish at times. Allen