Stetson912

Chuck beat me to it. I've always heard it called a suicide king because on traditional card designs the sword looks like it goes through his head. Its likely the original design had an axe but got swapped for a sword at some point making it look like he's putting the sword through his own head. Read that somewhere and thought it was an interesting theory

Here's an experiment I did to try or some drybrush coloring techniques. I've sent this out to traditions leather. If anyone is interested, theres a fb group leather artisans trading cards where people trade these. It is card size at 2.5 x 3.5" and skull is maybe half dollar size.

I've shown the pch before, but I wanted to try it in an exotic. What a journey. This is my 4th one and its finally right. I screwed up stitching on one, thickness was way too heavy on the 2nd, 3rd didnt firm up after molding and finish (its a mystery really, never had an issue). I got some horsebutt and was finally able to get this. The horse and shark i had to split down by hand to get the right thickness of about 6/7 oz. I added removeable/replaceable belt loops and left off the turquoise edge kote on previous attempts because this is simpler and better in my opinion. Failure is just part of the process sometimes.

Yup, they do. You can clean and reoil an oil finished holster. But once sealed there is no more of that lol. Different styles for different uses. I think what you did is great and will maintain the leather well

Oh. I seal mine in acrylic finisher so I dont have to condition them. Matter of fact oil isnt good for the style I build because it softens the leather which can lose retention. But what you did for yours seems OK because of the thumb break. You aren't relying on molding for retention.

They used to draw the gun differently in those days. Called a Cavalry draw. The holster was worn as a cross draw freeing up the right hand for the Sabre. The caveat is an odd draw if youre right handed because you have to rotate your wrist 180° to draw the gun. Fun little tide bit im sure you already knew lol

Its open bottom. Formed by hand. Its a little thicker than I normally go so the detail is a bit lacking. But I got the port and trigger guard which are what matters lol. I have some ball modelers and I mostly used my barry king bianchi modeler for it. Under the shark is a plug of 4/5 oz that was cut out of the front panel, trimmed and skived a little and glued to the flesh side of the liner making the whole piece about 9/10 oz or so.

Nice idea. Thats a good thinking project, and you have a good simple solution to it

I was inspired by another maker who does amazing inlay work. This is my take on an inlaid avenger. 2 layers of 4/5 oz with some strategic skiving and angelus satin acrylic finisher. Cheers!

Everyone has their own way. Revolvers can ve tricky because of the cylinder. On youtube there is video by jason ingle and Michael Dale. Called getting the perfect stitch lines. It is for a 1911 but the process will work for revolvers too. Once you have your stitch lines you can make a pattern. Parker leather goods has a few videos sowing his method. He uses acrylic templates to draw the pattern but you can free hand it. Those are easier than trying to explain it all. Dwight method will work for you too. No guesswork there haha

No, I was looking for retro and vintage Fonts and came across this one. It was more challenging to carve than it looks. I tried without the shadow but it didn't look right. And you have to tool it so it looks right, a lot of the long corner edges of the shadow aren't really beveled. Then I used renias black dye to color in the shadows and some antique for some grunge

I made this for an old friend. He was using an adjustable nylon strap and I thought he'd like a leather one. He liked this cool font so I tooled it up for him. Its a tight fit but secure, next one ill skive down the ends

It is my understanding that the fridge isnt doing anything for keeping moisture in. Its the bag. The fridge just delays molding. If youre doing a project that you'll have to come back too a bag should suffice fine. If it will be a few days then I'd stick it in the fridge. Peter main has a bigh sheet of tempered glass he uses. He would wet the leather and stick the glass on top and it would stay cased as long as he needed it too right on his bench. I believe this works because Moisture isnt lost much through the edges but the grain. Thats just my theory though

Thanks

Thanks it was fun and challenging. Its a cool effect too. when I saw jurgens in Florence a few years ago I was dumbfounded and didnt know how it was put together. Then I learned how its done and its simpler than it looks. Its on learn with illume if youre interested.