Rockoboy

I bought my first sewing machine today. Its only one machine, so I am not addicted. I am looking for another machine that will sew thicker leather, but I can take my time and find the right machine at the right price ... because I am not addicted. I might need another machine for very small spaces or especially narrow edges, but that's OK because ... I am not addicted yet! Of course I will need a machine with a walking foot, that's only number 4, not too many machines ... because I am not addicted yet! Where can I buy a machine? I need another machine ... because I am addicted to buying (and using) leather sewing machines!!!

Thanx for your help and understanding Bill. Kindest regards Brian "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you are right". Henry Ford

My brother has comes through cancer twice, so I am sure you can do it. All the best with your treatment. Oh yeah ... nice belt. Kindest regards Brian "Cancer is a word, not a sentence". John Diamon

Weight restrictions are a consideration because the postal service charge more per kilo for heavier parcels, sometimes It will make the purchase totally uneconomic. Kindest regards Brian "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you are right". Henry Ford

I would really like to see this sort of thing, even if it is only broken down to country by country instead of state by state, mainly because I live in Australia. There are so many things available in Europe of USA that we cannot get here because of weight restrictions, customs or postal restrictions. At least there is a chance I can get some item I want, if it is in Australia. Kindest regards Brian "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you are right". Henry Ford

PM sent. Kindest regards Brian "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you are right" Henry Ford

Trained as a boilermaker straight out of skool from 1981 - 1984, worked in pubs, hotels, casino and bars for a few years, then I started working in hardware stores. Currently I am working as an Emergency Medical Response Officer which means I am basically a Licensed Security Officer who has some medical and emergency training, Been doing this around 25 years I think. Kindest regards Brian "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right" Henry Ford

Hi Johanna, What those other people said! You are definitely up for a sainthood. This forum has been worth so much to me in assisting me to work out a few things, understand things better that I thought I knew and first and foremost it has helped me to figure out some questions that previously I had no concept of. One thing I would like to suggest if its not already in place, is it possible to make a search function (especially within the 'For Sale' and 'Wanted' tabs) that will enable people to search by country or within a specific area? As I live in Australia, some items that are in Europe or USA are not available to me because of weight or postal conditions. If I could search for goods, such as tools, a sewing machine or dyes etc, which are available within my reach, that would be an enormous help. Kindest regards Brian "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you are right" Henry Ford

I have been recommended to buy a quality swivel knife and a few different blades in different configurations. My local store carries a swivel knife, that's ONE SWIVEL KNIFE, and no brand marked on it! Take it or leave it! ... uhhh I will leave it there thanx! Does anybody have a good swivel for sale in Australia and blades to go with it, or a knife for sale that can be posted to Australia? Kindest regards Brian

PM sent. Kindest regards Brian

Call them SOLD. How can I get some money to you? Just these 3 items thanx. I don't need the Stinger awl handle. Kindest regards Brian Fewson

Hi there Corgerie, What are you asking for these 3 items including delivery to Western Australia? Kindest regards Brian Fewson

Hi there Duane, Beautiful knives. I have a few questions. Are you making these knives to sell? What is the cost? Are you able to post to Australia? Kindest regards Brian

Thanx for your input Danno, but I think from the evidence I have seen of expert leathercrafters using swivel knives, that will be the way I will be going. There might well be somebody somewhere doing excellent work with a piece of rough bushwood and a broken coke bottle, but I think I need all the technology I can get to 'assist me' to achieve the best results I can. Kindest regards Brian "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you are right" Henry Ford

That is very succinct advice that I can understand the reasoning behind. Thank you guys, for your input. Kindest regards Brian "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you are right" Henry Ford

I own 1 swivel knife at the moment, but I haven't seen it for about 30years, it's in the shed ... somewhere! Now that I am looking to replace my misplaced swivel knife, plus add to my toolkit if required, I have a couple questions. Looking on ebay, I saw lots of swivel knives marked with a letter or number. Is there any rhyme or reason to these markings or are they just to denote a different knife? Which pattern or size or configuration is the best knife to buy first for a green-as-grass-beginner, or is it entirely linked to the job? In a reasonable world, how many swivel knives are good to have and/or required, to do most things that might come up for the average leatherworker? (I am guessing some people will be suggesting double figures or as many as my finances can handle!!) Thanx for your attention. Kindest regards Brian "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you are right" Henry Ford

Hi there Cyis, What other tools are you able to source? Can you supply stamps EG. basketweave and other large area repeating patterns? Custom made stamps to my design? Knives for cutting leather and swivel knives? Awls? Kindest regards Brian "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." Henry Ford

Hi there Chapelstone, The bloke in my local leather store says stitching is far better for strength. Once leather starts to dry out a little, it shrinks and the rivets can become loose, then they can wear and fall out. Plus, for a double cap rivet there is no way to know how well the rivet is seated inside the head without destroying the rivet to check ... which negates the idea of riveting in the first place! Stitching on the other hand, moves with the leather and, because there is nothing covering it, you can clearly see if there is something that is not as it should be. Kindest regards Brian "if you think you can or if you think you can't, you are right" Henry Ford

From a total novice (at leatherwork and assessing the item you are trying to copy) at 1st glance it looks pretty good to me. My only thought would be the corner where the side meets the top ... is that a little to square? Maybe a little rounding by wet moulding on the top section might soften the angle a little? Kindest regards Brian "If you think you can or if you think you can't, you are right." Henry Ford

Looks like a real labour of love. Excellent work. Just a little thing ... on your right hand, where you grip the bow string, you could make a finger tab attached to the hand protector which protects your finger from the string. Its difficult to describe, but if you look at a regular finger tab, where your fingers come thru there is a piece which stays on the back of your fingers which could be joined to the hand protector. Kindest regards Brian "If you think you can or think you cannot, you are right". Henry Ford

Hi Seagrove59, This looks great. Which 'centre section' are you planning to make wider? Is that the hinge section in the middle where the front folds over? Kindest regards Brian "If you think you can or you think you can't, you are right." Henry Ford

HI again Howie, I Googled this group but all I found was a book that detailed the Leathercrafters Association of WA. Can you supply a direct link please? Either here or by PM thanx. Kindest regards Brian "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." Henry Ford

Hi Howie, I have never heard of that group, but I will definitely Google them. Thanx for the suggestion. Kindest regards Brian "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." Henry Ford

Thanx Rodney. I have done a couple things, some good ... and some not so good. As I am self-taught, I make a few mistakes and sometimes I take a while to sort out how to achieve the look I want. Sometimes I even manage to achieve the look I want! Kindest regards Brian "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." Henry Ford

Hi there one and all, G'day from Western Australia. This is my 1st post, but with the amount I know, it won't be my last. In fact, every time I learn something, I realise a little more about just how little I do know. I played around a little with leatherwork about 35+ years ago as a child, and I have been inspired to get back into recently when I found some of my old tools in my shed. I also have a few things in mind that I want to make, and new ideas are slowly germinating each time I visit the website. Kindest regards Brian "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." Henry Ford