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VTleather09

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Posts posted by VTleather09

  2. Posted · Report reply

    Hey y'all, 

    So, I am a first time teacher and I was given an opportunity to use leather craft as an enrichment project.  I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction to find an easy way to implement a computer program to make templates.  If you have any suggestion please let me know...after all, I'm attempting to create a new generation of leathercrafters! 

  7. Posted · Report reply

    On 2/15/2017 at 5:24 AM, Prusty said:

    The dye is from The Identity Store, it's their own brand of water based stain. It doesn't penetrate through the leather really, but it does bring out some great colours, and is easy to water down to get varying shades. Used for reenactment stuff for a couple of years and grew to love it.
     

    A bit of both. Experimented a bit on these so there's a combination of hand and motor burnishing. Used a Armitage Leather spool burnisher for the flats, then sanded it down lightly with some 800 grit sandpaper, beveled the top edges and went at it with some canvas. After that applied some dye, quick polish, and a final coat of burnishing gum, although given how much this leather wants to rough up(really fleshy and soft) I may use beeswax instead next time.

    Wow!  Now I see why the edges are so well done.  I just made a burnisher for my dremel and it saves some time...great work!

  10. Posted · Report reply

    Not to bad.  Did you burnish it when it was still wet?  When I do a knife wet mold I i wrap my knife in then plastic, wet my leather, then staple my leather to a board and work the leather over and over with a spoon and molding tool.  I always let it dry at least a day before I build the rest of the sheath.  Oh, and how do you like the RAT II?  I am a balisong guy, but I've been wanting a nice folder for my EDC. Good job, bro. 

  15. Posted · Report reply

    20 hours ago, Halitech said:

    looks good but just curious, why go from lacing on the top opening to stitching on the sides?

    Hey there, 

    I look at lacing as more of decorative option rather than a solidified bonding technique.  You can't beat the saddle stitch, as far as function goes.  In addition, leather lacing can be brittle, so I rarely use it as a stitching option.  Plus, I get to practice with both techniques in a single project. Thanks for lookin.

     

    VT  

  16. Posted · Report reply

    Hey gentle people, 

    Due to a recent interest in my butterfly knife sheaths people have been requesting other items.  I ,naively, agreed to make a customer a trifold wallet without buying a template.   Also, I agreed to use a money clip that he sent me from another wallet, as he is not a fan of most traditional money clips.  I ran into numerous issues regarding width and finding a way to tool his initials; written in his hand writing.  I have made a few card holders and minimalists wallets, but this was tough.  If I start getting more wallet orders I will definitely order one of those plastic templates from Ebay.  As far the sheath, I am pretty happy with it, but it was the first time tooling this figure, so my muscle memory was not quite there.  Also, the displayed knife IS NOT the knife that this sheath is made for.  I took some criticism from another member on my last post about retention; I can assure anyone looking, my sheaths carry and protect the knives they are meant for.  Thanks for lookin. 

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  20. Posted · Report reply

    On 1/22/2017 at 9:36 PM, Crashresq said:

    Thank you Bikermutt.  Not sure if a lot of folks do any work with "reclaimed" leather, but my wife and I craft quite a bit with reclaimed items - I do a lot of woodturning with woods recovered due to storm or ice damage... a lot of the blacksmithing I do is with material from a local salvage yard.  Knives are the exception... need to know for sure what I'm using in them.  Thought I would apply the same thinking to leather and so far, it's been interesting.  Here are a couple of pictures of the leather recovered from three coats I found at a flea market for $5 - that was for all three.

    Coat1].jpg

    Coat2and3.jpg

    I used to this a lot when I first started, as I had no idea where to find leather.  Also, I had no idea about the various properties and purposes of/for all the various types of leather.  As a newb, I thought, "leather is leather".  I still buy up old jackets to use the pieces as inlays, tinder pouches, linings and arrow quivers. I've also made some really nice pencil roll cases with re-claimed leather...only warn leather has that "warm" glow to it.  Anyway, great find!  

     

  21. Posted · Report reply

    On 1/20/2017 at 1:46 PM, silverwingit said:

    Legal issues aside, I agree that the sheathes are visually quite appealing and show a high level of skill and creativity by the maker.

    However, they both seem way too large relative to the size of the knives they hold, especially the first one. I'd be concerned that they would provide little to no retention to keep the knife inside if the owner bends over or otherwise tips the sheathes from vertical. This, to me at least, is one of the primary functions of a well-designed and executed knife sheath.

    As a result the sheathes seem more platforms to display your skills rather than functional ones that will protect your customer's investments.

    Sorry, but that's the way I see them.

    Michelle

    You seem to have strong opinions; which you are entitled to.  The first sheath is NOT made for the knife you see.  It is custom made for a balisong called a Tank-Bali that is MUCH bigger than my Hom Design Basilisk.  In addition, the second sheath has a large pocket clip in the back, thus the retention is very tolerant; particularly when wearing a belt.  These knives, and the knives owned by my customers start at $300.00 and go up from there, and I make it a point that these knives are well protected.  I make each and every sheath specific to the measurements of the knife and I make each and every design to the liking of the customer.  Furthermore; your "sight" is limited to a few snapshots, so please do not question my ability to meld ascetics with function.  Im sorry, but that's the way I see your comment.

     

    VT  

  23. Posted · Report reply

    19 hours ago, kiwican said:

    I like them too. Pity those knives are illegal up my way....so I don't have one

    I know.  It's very sad that some people (politicians) view these elegant tools as gangster accessories.  On the forums I belong to I see numerous people from all over the world attempting to acquire balisongs, or attempting to influence politicians to change the laws that hinder their desire to own a high quality and functional knife.  Being a Vermonter, I have only recently come to appreciate how great our gun and knife laws are.    

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