badger

Emu looks reptilian, because that's where the Dinosaurs went Badger

Welcome. Wow! you're a busy guy Lots of nice work there. Cheers, Badger

That's lovely work, congratulations. Badger

Ian, Many thanks for the link. I found the perfect material for the project and at a very good price. Cheers, Badger

Thanks Johan, Badger

Thanks Terry! You're lovely, you are. Badger

Guys, Does anyone have a supplier for black, quite shiny fake croc or alligator like that pictured? Or, does anyone have any I can buy from them? Cheers, Badger

Tasha, Looks like some kind of contamination for sure. Did you check your casing sponge? Just in case? It may have picked up something. If you have a contaminated scrap, try rubbing it down with acetone (nail polish remover). It'll shift just about anything. Cheers, Badger Oh, this'll cheer you up: http://www.fireflyarchive.com B

Welcome! Striking stuff you're making..... Badger

Ray, If you need mods done to a basic foot, bring one when you visit and we'll chop the little sod down Badger

Nice wallet Josh Badger

Thanks very much! Badger

As a basic approach you'll need to make a three dimensional shape into a two dimensional shape. Cover the full head lifecast in cling film. Snip and tuck it so it doesn't span across any areas; eye sockets, under the nose etc.... Cover it in two good layers of gaffa tape, going in different directions. Decide where your seams will be, as there will be some. Cut the gaffa tape and clingfilm along your seam lines with a craft knife (carefully if you want to keep the casting of your head intact). Lay out the pieces on a board and make your leather cutting patterns to match the pieces of the gaffa tape patterns. Allow extra material for sewing at the seam lines and cut your pieces out. Sew together. Cheers, Badger

Hi, A rivet or Chicago screw will do it. If there's a way to fit the clip so that the structure of the holster takes the weight and the brunt of the work, and the rivet or screw simply keeps the clip in place, it'll be more secure. For example, if the clip is sewn into a slot in the holster body and then the rivet set through the leather on one side, through the clip in the middle and out through the leather on the other side. Cheers, Badger

Greg, Wow, I thought this thread was long dead..... I don't use a swivel knife at all, since I don't carve. I ended up giving the knife away some time ago. Sorry. Badger

Then these are they Badger

Ed, I don't use a JD stitching awl. Ray may be more help. Sorry. I use other JD tools and they are well made and robust. Sometimes a little heavy-handed, but good tools. Badger

Dixons in the UK don't take credit cards(!) If you need anything from them, let me know and I'll order, pay by check and send them on to you. You can settle with me by Paypal or something. Cheers, Badger

That's a seriously nice piece of metalwork and a lovely sheath. Congratulations on a great job. Cheers, Badger

Perhaps Bashing was too strong a term to use. My main objection is to the implication that a Round knife is the 'correct' way to cut leather and anything else is wrong. You'll find that the straight edged clicking knife has been around at least as long as the round knife. Probably longer. since Cobblers have been around longer than saddlers. You can't catch a horse in bare feet! I am offering no resistance to using a Round knife, I have two which I use daily. I have no fear of using them or sharpening them. I simply don't like the idea that a Round knife is 'right' and other cutting tools are 'wrong'. I'm simply advocating freedom of choice, Cheers, Badger

I had a friend who worked at a pathology lab, testing human fluid specimens for the Coroner's office. She used to keep her coffee mug on the bench next to the microscope. One morning while peering intently into the eyepiece, she reached out for her coffee.............. Goes across the street to Starbucks now. Badger

I really don't understand all this bashing of anything that isn't a Round/Head knife. I do 95% of my cutting with a utility knife. Randy, I have a Head knife and I'm neither ignorant of how to keep it sharp nor afraid of it or of using it. This comes up again and again. We've had people boldly state that nothing else is the 'proper tool' and you cannot produce quality work unless you use one. THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE. The proper tool is one that does the job you ask of it safely. Nothing more. I think a lot of the knife fascism comes from the Head/Round knife being seen as a kind of badge of office. I'm sure some feel they need to own and use one to feel like a 'proper' leatherworker. I'm not saying that a Head/Round knife isn't an excellent way to cut leather, just that it isn't the only excellent way to cut leather. Can we have a bit more 'live and let live' please? Badger

Rilee, Let the Skidmore's dry naturally for half an hour after rubbing it in and then give it a brisk rubdown with soft cloth, old T-shirt, whatever. It'll glow beautifully. Badger

Welcome Zack, Some very good people here. No question is stupid. Cheers, Badger

Tony, No time soon, no. The Pearson stays. My ribbing of Ray is all in good spirits (let's face it, he has it coming ) . I love the old 'Pilot' machine which Ray's replacing with the Highlead. Ray, The machine looks very impressive in all seriousness. Yes, I have 'reverse envy', but it's mine. I own it Badger Edit; can't spell for shti....