Big Papa Leather

Actually the skull was an afterthought. I know your thinking "yeah, right you post ALOT of skull themed stuff" but actually I made it then was hesitant because it looked a little plain. The skull was then added. The single skull in all the black background makes it stand out even more. Allen

Those are cool, where are they going to be available? You mentiond they were going to be 10-15 Euros each for the basic ones. Where can I one them for sale? Allen

Hellcat: Springfield leather http://www.springfieldleather.com/storefront/home2.aspx McJeep: No, it's the Tandy Pro Lace in black. Thanks for the comments! Allen

Thanks for the encouraging words guys! Allen

Fantastic discussion! I have thoroughly enjoyed it and it gave me much insight to pricing. I still feel that I may wrestle with the concept of what an item is worth and what people will pay. For instance, I have a hard time justifying the price of items I purchase. I would love to have a really bad ass messenger type bag. I have plans to build one, but man I would love to have a Maverick case... or a wallet from Kevin King. I am not saying that these items are not worth the price tag, they are probably worth even more than they charge, it is that I have a hard time justifying the expenditure of the $$$. In the example of the Maverick case, I can get by with using the free back pack my wife got on "Nurses Day" from the hospital she used to work at, or I have made me a wallet and it does it's job quite well, but some of Kevins designs or Justwakinup's stuff those are the bomb, they truely blow my wallet away. But again it is not a factor of is it worth it, it is more of a "I wouldn't pay that..." and that is not a response reflected in the item's value. For me it is more of a concept like this, yes the free backpack is not the same as a nice handmade leather bag, but it works. Can I use the money that I did not spend on something beneficial to the family. I guess I look at it as spoiling myself. That is probably the wrong approach business wise, but it is the concept I wrestle with. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted a BIG PLUSH leather recliner. One of my lasting memories is my dad's chair. That was Dad's chair. You didn't dare jump in it, horse play was not accepted unless, he instigated it. It was like you almost had to have an invitation to sit in it. I had many discussions with him as he sat in that chair, he blistered my butt over the arm of that chair when I'd screwed up. In a way it was kind of like his throne. I have always wanted a chair. However, even though I could/can afford it, I have always talked myself out of buying a chair like it. I just can't do it. Why? I don't know. It drives my wife INSANE. I just can't see spending the $$$. So there is a peek into my psyche. Allen

Those look awesome. Nice designs. Allen

The color match is great! Allen

Here is another bracelet from the exotic remnant pack. It is the tail of a Cayman crocodile. It follows the back spikes and is thicker at one end than the other. Lined with red suede as a contrast. Double loop laced and three different sizing snaps. Notice no button on the outside either! I also added a bit of padding inside. Much more comfortable than the elephant. I may take the elephant apart and put some padding in... Then again that sounds like additional work... nevermind That's all for now. Allen

Here is a quick dealio I did yesterday. I got a remnant piece of elephant hide in a exotic pack I bought. So I made a bracelet. It has a tan colored chrome tanned liner suede side out. A little skull concho and two snaps. Maybe a contrasting interior piece would have been more dramatic? Next go round I'm gonna attach the snaps and concho before I line and lace it. Maybe add a tiny bit of padding inside the liner as well. Learning as I go. Like it? Hate it? Let me know. Allen

Here's another vote for a dead blow hammer. Harbor freight $5.00 orange one works great, even for the 2d and 3d stamps! Allen

Thanks for all the replies. I will be making "another" belt soon. Allen

MadMax: Yes, it has a belt strap with a snap. That way you can put it on/take off without threading through the belt first. Dags: The shine is from Feibing's spary Leather sheen. It is very shiny. At first I did not like the shiny-ness of it but I have used it alot and people respond well to it. I use it before as a sealer before I use the Satin shine as it doesn't cause the Eco-Flo antiques to lift and stread like it does when you rub it on. I spray a light coat and if I wan t a matte or duller finish, I apply the rub on after it dries. Then sometimes I just leave it! Tom: Thanks for the comments. I am quickly learning the double loop braid. I want to venture into two tone soon. Allen

I tried making a belt for me. I used a belt I currently have in use as the pattern for the length. I adjusted for the difference in the buckle style and cut it to size. I then did the tooling. And I'll be a monkey's uncle if the dang thing is too small! I know I'm chubby but I didn't out grow it while I was tooling it. My pattern belt fits still. What is the belt way to size a belt for yourself or a customer? allen

Here is a snuff can kit I threw together today. Yes that is a beef jerky can inside the case! Thanks Wildrose for your generosity! Let me know what ya'll think. Allen

To add to what ATX was saying on the ceramic blades, I use an aluminum oxide disc to remove the grind, machine marks on the ceramic blades. It is a motorized unit so it makes a very tedious job easier. As far as sharpening the ceramics, it can be done and it is possible with the aluminum oxide, however it is a very hard process as the aluminum oxide disc wears extremely quick. I have a limited number of diamond disc that will do the job quickly but it is not very cost effective. In order to "sharpen" or to change the angle of the ceramic blade is tough. I prefer to call the work I did for the guild members and thier ceramic blades is "hone". I followed the existing angle and focused only on removing the machining marks. This allows the blades to glide through the leather with little effort. Allen

I recieved my PIF today. It is one heavy duty sheath. Check it out. As you can see my Benchmade/Emerson CQC-7 fits nicely inside. I have been wanting to make a sheath for this knife for a while... Now I do not have to! I will be happy to once again carry this loyal tool in it's new clothes. On a side note, so you know (it may sound weird though) this knife is like a trusted friend and partner. I got it 2 weeks before I graduated from the police academy. I carried it daily on patrol and off duty. It was clipped to my pocket everyday for over 7 years. It has been used to break the glass on many a crashed car to help extricate victims, cut 2 people down from attempted hanging suicides, opened many a package and a bazillion other uses over that time. One package/box in particular was in the back of a bobtail truck that had a "refrigerator" that turned out to be loaded with cocaine. (about 6.5 million dollars total street value was found in the truck). It has been a trusted friend and companion. A few years back I stripped the three screws that hold the pocket clip and the knife was placed in a semi-retirement state. Now I can carry it daily once again. Thanks Trooperchuck! Allen

Great job! I have a couple bolts and they are on the "gonna do list" just like you did, a pebbler matting tool. Did you "free-hand" the holes or did you use a drill press for the dremel? Allen

Not trying to hi-jack but thought it would be cool to add this here. I used the pattern that wildrose sent to make this thread burner cover. Thanks!

Thanks!

So I know the PIF etiquette, do I post the pics of the item when I receive it or do I post pictures of what I am sending? Just curious. Allen

I couldnt wait, and went out and bought some Frog Tape. I got it at Home Depot. I will be doing some Frog tape tests with the airbrush tomorrow (hopefully) Bree thanks for the test results and mentioning this product. Allen

" I will airbrush some water-based sealer on the test strap and see if there are any issues. A perfectly straight line is much easier to screw up than one that isn't!!" Bree, I too would be interested in the airbrush blocking abilities of this stuff as well. Thanks for the tip. And looking forward to you experimentation results. Allen

You could add a strap to both sides and have an industrial back scratcher! Looks cool. Folks in a mosh pit beware. Allen PS Do they still have mosh pits?

Funny! Mine says the same thing We must have the same CPA Allen

Okie Dokie! Thanks guys, I'm gonna go play. Allen Thanks for the help.