Stetson912

@Dangerous Beans, how is the badger poking going? Does that require a special spoon? I love your videos. Very informative, thanks for the time you put into them. Much appreciated.

Are you hand stitching? It would be easier I imagine to use a machine to stitch straight. But I don't use a machine myself so I can't comment there. If you're handstitching you want to bind the edge and use some adhesive or clips or whatever you like to keep that edge straight and tacked down. Then you can mark your stitch lines with wing dividers or use a straight edge and scratch awl. Then punch your holes with a chisel or use an appropriate awl. The secret to keeping the back looking as good as the front is consistency. Check out Nigel Armitage's YouTube videos on saddle stitching. Very helpful. Anywho, I hope you get it figured out. Looks good so far.

Check out sea lemon on YouTube. She does some simple binding that can be applied to leather. I used regular printing paper. But I would agree with using heavier art paper. You can use anything you want to really. You may want to go to Michael's or hobby lobby and look around in the scrapbook section to see different papers. A paper cutter would make things easier too. And depending how you're going to bind them some book board for the cover. The one I made just had book board wrapped in leather.

Dividers is the way to go. I seldom groove anything anymore. I find the stitching recesses enough for most things. And with leather that thin it would probably be more harm than good. Also, try a light touch at first, you can always go back over it but if you use a heavy hand it adds to the stretch factor in my experience.

I have to say as a collective, I believe us leather heads are pretty down to earth people. I personally think you did a fine job on that wallet. Sometimes things don't work out the way we intend but you have to realize, most people wouldn't know something wasn't quite right unless you said something haha. The important thing is that you finished the project and learned from it. And moreso, it's a personal gift you're giving that you made. It has a part of you in it and that is something special in its own right. Keep it up. I wish ya had more time for the workbench!

I seldom make many of the same item. If it's something you'll be doing a ton of I would invest in an acrylic template. People can make custom ones for you with holes drilled out and such. And has the advantage of being clear in case you have to see the leather beneath the template for some reason. Personally, I start with paper and if I want to keep the pattern for another few uses I'll make one out of corrugated cardboard. Sometimes I'll put duct tape on the faces of the cardboard to make it a bit tougher and keep it from bending but not always. Acrylic is obviously far better but, I don't have use for it so it isn't worth the investment for me personally.

Very nice. My father in law has the judge but it's the really big one. With the ultralite trigger. I made a holster for it before but, needs replaced because I didn't know what I was doing last time haha. They are fun guns. I can see how it's useful for snakes.

It is a spartan helm. I believe it's A symbol of protection and fighting the good fight against a larger opponent but staying dedicated to the cause. Much like the spartan battle of Thermopylae.

Thanks for the update @CaptQuirk. I have to add that I have no issues with Rogers leather and the backside is just fine. I wouldn't "finish" it because it doesn't need it. I'm sure the same goes for WC and HO leathers, b grade included. I have seen Tandy items that definitely needed it but that was before I knew better. I seldom use tan Cote for that purpose anymore. If you do for some reason need it perfectly smooth, you should consider lining it with thin leather like goat or calf. Just a thought

I tried responding earlier so I hope it doesn't double up. You can order direct from wickett and Craig or Hermann oak. That would be best for the best leather you can get. I know Hermann oak sends the best when you order direct but they have a minimum purchase amount of 10 hides I believe whereas WC will let you buy just one hide or maybe even a piece of one. But if you and or maybe some friends can swing it it is ultimately cheaper and better quality A grade leather. I recently got some veg tan from Roger at RJF leather co. I was pleased with it. It came split so the flesh side was not at all fuzzy. I believe he also offers a finished pasted and slicked back if you want to spend a little extra. For some reason his site isn't working for me right now so I can't actually confirm the pasted finish. He has a banner ad on this forum as well. He also offers drum dyed backs and English and European bridle leathers. It seems to tool nicely and is easy to work in my opinion. I believe he gets it from thoroughbred leather tannery. Maverick leather co offers both HO and WC leathers but are most likely b grades which can still be very nice. They offer a bunch of other cool stuff as well. As for finishing the flesh side of leather, I use feibings tan kote. Just put it on a cloth and rub it into the flesh side and go over it with a slicker, works great but takes a little effort. You may want to try on a bit of scrap first. It also adds a bit of water resistance as it kind of seals the leather. I hope this helps you out.

Good to know thanks.

Ah ok, would a space saver type bag work the same as your getup? I just remembered they have the attachment to suck the air out so, may be worth a go. Kinda a poor man's vacuum mould haha

Awesome! How do you vacuum mold it? Like a zip lock and such the air out? Or are there special bags you buy? And how do you find the lines to bone in? Not the main lines but the smaller more decorative ones? In this case the thinner lines that run along the bottom of the slide?

Indeed, I used Angelus Jade last time I had a problem. But I was using a dauber so, should be expected to some degree. I haven't used many colors from feibings. I usually stick to the browns and tans n such

Nice! I have the same problem with dye sometimes. What kind did you use? I haven't tried dip dying yet though. Suppose I should haha.

@AdamGadut is the idea to neutralize any remaining acetic acid/vinegar? And how do you keep them from mixing? Just a larger container with the open jar of vinegroon and a pile of soda?

Makes sense, I've read that you shouldn't really wear your boots/shoes more than a day at a time and keep trees in em to keep them from changing too much. I was just curious what you found in your studies haha

I haven't made it myself...Does it smell of vinegar? This site has some suggestions. It says to add iron if yours is dissolved and still smells strongly of vinegar or heat it up a little if it smells and you still have iron. It mentions the smell should go away (relatively) when it's balanced right(vinegar to iron) I hope it helps you out. There's also some interesting tips on using it as well. https://www.adamsleatherworks.com/vinegaroon-a-k-a-vinegar-black/

So they really are "built to last" hehe How long will a pair of shoes be comfortable if maintained correctly?

By the title I was expecting to see some colossal walnuts on your feet, but this is better hehe.. In all seriousness, they look great. I always found shoemaking interesting, I just don't seem to have the time or money to learn how to do it at the moment. Great work.

Awesome. Thanks. How do you heat set it? I tried before with a low oven but it didn't work too well.

Looks great. I love seeing your holsters. I have to make one sometime haha. I do like that iwb design, is the opening stiff enough not to collapse?

How is it tanned? You can't tool leather that isn't veg tanned, it won't hold the impressions. You can try heat embossing it. You need a way to heat your stamp up and some sort of press to press it into the leather, an arbor press and heat gun would work probably. You'll have to leave the stamp in the press for a few seconds for the impression to take.

Yup all good points, I'm about Midway between Tucson and Phoenix in casa grande AZ. And while I don't see many hand made leather goods or leather workers I know they are out there. There are a few on this forum. And not to mention Bob Park happens to be in Phoenix. So, my goods may not be priced as high because of the demographic and culture (rodeo and ranching and what have ya) that's around here. Not to mention the fact that...I'm NOT Bob Park's haha! Whereas you could sell yours for more because you happen to be one of the few doing it in that area. But, none of it means beans if no one wants it haha! But u ain't gotta worry about that do ya! There's a lot that goes into pricing but like old n slow said don't give it away, it took you time and money to make. As a hobbyist I say cover expenses and add a little extra but stay in the fair range 60-70 bucks, but if you're trying to expand add 100-120, you could probably get more. It looks like a good product.

I'd listen to NV, that's right in the ball park of what I'd recommend myself.