GrayHallidayJr

Thank you! It's a big compliment coming from you. I'm going to continue to indulge this fantasy that I can one day win a free swivel knife. It starts with a lot more practice, and better planning. And when desperation prevails, open bribery.

You are absolutely right! It's true, I admit to a weird competitive thing. I just thought that the whole thing was funny, doomed from before I even started. A totally hopeless, unreasonable and maniacal pursuit! It ended up turning out nice. Thanks!

Super fine detailing. Well done.

Thank you for the feedback! I really appreciate it. I saw those holsters with the images printed. Pretty cool when you start to think how one might couple that printer and a laser with carving and beveling! Here are a couple of attempts I made on some belts I did a while back (with my friends laser). With some time to play around with it, I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do.

I attended the Southwest Leather event in Prescott last year and submitted an entry in the amateur carving competition. I knew when the woman said, "Isn't that fun?" when inspecting the entry that I didn't have a chance of winning. I drove home with a newly purchased swivel knife (the one I had hoped to win) and some resolve to come back the following year with an entry that would wow the judges beyond sanity. Then I completely forgot about it. Time passed. I found the Leatherworker website and saw that the Prescott show was only two days away! I had a full day of work the following day and so had only one day to carve up an 8" by 8" masterpiece, and drive 8 and a half hours to Prescott. It was a sad realization at 4:00 AM on that Thursday. I had to leave at 9:00 AM in order to make the entry deadline of 5:00 pm- given that I would drive like a maniac to make up a half hour along the way. I wasn't going to make it. I had to give up on my dream... I did make a lot of progress before giving up. Then took a few days off before revisiting the workbench to finish the job. This is it. A rushed maniac effort at subtle innuendo. I call it; The Circle of Procreation Trick Shot. Almost 100% sure I wouldn't have won.

Thanks! I've always been a draw-er and really enjoy the three dimensional quality of working with leather. I've been playing around with it for a couple of years and am just now starting to collect a proper stash of tools. Very excited to get this new laser cutter! But kind of had this nagging apprehension that using a laser would depreciate the artistic integrity among purists. Like maybe oil painters sticking their nose up at acrylics? I dunno. Anyway, thanks. I sometimes feel shy about posting my work (I'm my own worst critic) and really appreciate the encouragement. I'll be in the garage.

The artwork on this pick guard is entirely freehand with a Leather Wranglers swivel blade. I cut the outline, did the edges and stitched it on a Cobra 4. Then I took it to a friend that has a laser to cut the pick up hole and those thin slot lines. It's 10 ounce leather so I had to run the laser over a couple of times to get mostly through (having to cut some sections that didn't burn all the way through). I also blazed a GHJ brand on it. I've used a laser on the artwork for some other projects. What are the general feelings about using a laser on leather artwork? Is it an artistic compromise?

I'm one of many waiting on the www.glowforge.com laser cutter. It's the first time I've ever done any crowdfunding purchase, and will definitely be my last. A lot of very long delays on delivery. Anyway, I'm interested in what laser techniques are working and which ones aren't. Can't wait to try it out!

Very nice!

Looks like Waylon Jennings style. I like it.