Double U Leather

Ryde....I don't know if there are any specific suppliers of noseband blanks. I'm made oodles of 'em and just cut my own.

I've had some stuff lasered. Just small pocket notebooks for ranchers, but they turned out slick.

Well....here's my story. I started tooling leather when I was a kid in 4-H. I had an uncle who was a saddle maker and he kinda helped me some. Then I got my hands on a sewing machine while I was in high school. Since I was a high school rodeo bum (bullrider), I figured I could make a little money by building chaps. I made chaps for a long time, and one of my proudest moment was having Lane Frost buy a couple pair from me. In fact, he was on the cover of the Sports News in a pair I made. At that point, I had about quit tooling, and was just making chaps. Back then, not many chaps had tooled yokes. At the time, I was still riding bulls. Then, in the early '80's God put me on a different career path. I started announcing rodeos. Somewhere along the way, I started pounding leather again a little bit. I was just doing basic basket stamp stuff then. Fast forward to 2007. I had been wanting to do something other than basic basket stamping, and started really looking at and studying Sheridan style tooling. Try as I might, I couldn't figure out how to make that work. Then, while announcing a reining horse show in Denver, I was introduced to a man who is a very talented leather craftsman. I was at the announcer's table trying to draw circles for Sheridan style patterns with no luck. He sat down beside me for a couple hours, showed me how the flow of the vines was supposed to go, and lo and behold, I figured it out...sorta. It's amazing to look back only 3 short years ago and see the progress. I just finished a notebook a couple weeks ago that is night and day different from a notebook I'd done a couple years ago. I thought the one I did a couple years ago was the cat's meow. Now, when I hold up the new one, I can't believe I even carried the old one around!!! My next challenge is to perfect Sheridan style belts. I do have to say, LW is an awesome place, and I have learned a ton hangin' out around here. Be Blessed ya'll!!

Stanly....I'm soooo glad you posted the microwave story! Now I know I'm not alone. Back in the day, I rode bulls for a living and would always soak a new riding glove in rubbing alcohol and then wear it until it was dry. When it was dry, it fit like....well like a glove...LOL. Anyway, I got a pair of work gloves for Christmas a couple years ago that were a touch too big. Didn't have any rubbing alcohol around, but figured water would work. Soaked 'em, and like you was in a hurry. I thought that if time dried the bullriding gloves to a perfect fit, then a little rapid time in the micro should work too. I threw the wet gloves in, punched up 45 seconds, waited for the ding....and out came a glove that was harder than rawhide and the size of a tiny mutilated hand!! Safe to say, my kids haven't let me forget that brainstorm of an idea.

Thanks for all the kind words. I appreciate them greatly. I also appreciate the suggestions on how to improve. I will say that JLS took the time to send me a private message about the antiquing, and by no means was critical. I appreciate the insight JLS offered. Thanks again. Be Blessed.

WOW.....you are my hero. I've said it before, and I'll say it again....I aspire to be a a 10th of the hand that you are. You're work is amazing. Thanks for the inspiration.

I generally will put Edge Kote on, let it dry thoroughly (24 hours as Kevin said is ideal), and then apply a coat of Tan Kote finish. That seems to gloss it up and adds to the water proofing ability.

Aaron, Those are two very good suggestions. I'd never even thought of a stiffener for the inside flap. I'll have to try that the next time. As for the thumbprint, I agree. Unfortunately, at the moment that size is the only size I have. I'm hoping that I've been a good enough boy this year that Santa may drop of some more Barry King tools!! I guess time will tell.....

Thanks for all of the kind words gang. Luke....I didn't keep track of the time. I'd say roughly the tooling process took 12-14 hours. I need to get much more diligent in keeping track of things like that. JLS...I appreciate your input, however I don't agree. As someone else on this thread said, most, if not all, of the master Sheridan style carvers use antiquing as part of their finishing process. Not that I'm any where close to being considered a master, but I figure if I want become one of the Big Dawgs, then I better do exactly what the Big Dawgs are doing. I do have an order for a Sheridan style belt that the customer wants just plain without antique. So...I'll see how it turns out. Bottom line, I make things for how the customer wants them. At any rate, I do appreciate your feedback.

Here's the latest thing off the bench. It's 10 1/2 x 14 finished size. It matches the daytimer I did a few weeks ago. Take a look at it, and let me know what you think. Any input is always gladly accepted. Thanks for looking.

JLS.....those are exactly what I'm lookin' for.

If anyone out there has a pattern for a 3 fold ladies clutch purse, I'd be forever indebted if you'd share it. I have know idea what the "guts" look like either. It's a case of my alligator *ss overloading my parakeet abilities I think!! Thanks in advance.

An added note on this project....I talked to CLH, who is a member here and is actually the man who showed me how the "flow" of Sheridan style worked about 3 years ago. I saw him at the NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma City. I was very of proud of the compliments he gave me on this. We shared a good laugh remembering how I was struggling to get the "flow" concept for a while. Anyway, it was nice to be able to physically show him how his simple lessons paid off that day at a reining in Denver with this finished project.

Thanks for the encouragement Mike, but I still think "rookie" fits. I still have some construction issues to work through. And besides, I don't know what the next step about rookie is...I'm sure a long sight from a "master".....LOL Go2.....you've got a point about erasing swivel knife cuts. Maybe that's why my "oops" pile is larger than some peoples....LOL. On the other hand, those "oopses" make great places to keep practicing and fiddling with that swivel knife so that maybe I don't increase the "oops" pile.

Bobby, Thanks for the insight. I'll try the stop idea. I'll also work on the "stickers" to see if I can't get that evened out some. As for the positive and negative spaces and patterns, I don't draw a pattern. I simply draw the circles lightly, make the flow path lightly, drop in the bigger leaves, and then cut it freehand with the swivel knife. Maybe I should start doing a pattern first. I tried that when I first started floral carving, but found that the pattern I drew on paper, transferred to film, and then put on the leather didn't turn out near as good as the first pattern on the paper. I read in the Sheridan book that alot of those guys just "let it roll". It kinda made sense that if I could draw it with a pencil, I oughta be able to do it with a swivel knife. Anyway, I certainly appreciate your input. I still aspire to reach your level of tooling. Thanks again. Wayne

Thanks for the compliments. I used 8-9 oz. Herman Oak, with a 2 oz. veg tanned lining. As for the lining 50years, it does have a wrinkle. I've made other daytimers that the wrinkle isn't there, but the book won't open flat. This time I constructed it all flat and then closed it. Hence the wrinkle. I'll dig through some old posts to see if I can figure how to be wrinkle free....LOL.

Here's the latest from the bench. I think it turned out pretty okay. I'd love some critiques on it so I can continue to improve. One thing I do know I would do differently is the strap. It's a bit too long. Thanks for looking and for the input.

Thanks for the compliments everyone. Ferg....yea that rope stamp is a booger. That was the first time I'd tried it. The customer insisted on a rope border. I tried hard to talk him out of it, but he wouldn't budge...LOL

Haven't posted anything for a while. I've been on the road doing my real job (announcing rodeos and horse shows). Anyway, got a couple orders knocked out before the next road trip. Let me know what you think.

Hi Laurie.....welcome aboard. I'm also in Colorado. Would love to see some pics of your work. Again, welcome to Leatherworker

Twin, I just got through reading all of this about your health, and I must say I'm sorry to hear it. What really bites is the part about having to be a certain "number" for DOT requirements. I don't have to worry about that since I'm self employed. The point I'm getting at, is the fact I don't know or care about my BP or cholesterol or whatever else. I eat at least one quarter pounder with cheese everyday, and have for I don't know how many years. I chew snuff, drink coffee, and use Neat Lac without proper ventilation. Bottom line for me is...if I don't go to the doctor and have them tell me what's wrong, then I'm going to continue living thinking there's nothing wrong. And, until I fall over or some part of me starts hurting so bad I can't handle it, I refuse to go to a doctor. That was the case this past spring with my teeth. They finally started hurting so bad, I had to go to the dentist. End result, had a few pulled, a new bridge put in, and I'm off to the races again. They wanted be to come back every 4 months for cleanings, blah, blah, blah and I told them I'd see them when other teeth began to hurt too bad. I'm near 50 and with any luck at all, no other teeth will hurt until I die, and at that point they won't hurt either!! Just hang in there, and if I were you, I'd have me a a fried egg/bacon sandwich. And of course, fry the egg in bacon grease. Here's a side note....My folks are both near 90 and have cooked in bacon grease their whole life. The eat bacon everyday for breakfast. My dad puts butter on everything including chocolate cake!! They also eat alot of wild game. They both still hunt. Anyway, the doctors say that both of their hearts are as healthy as someone in their 60's. I don't know if it's the bacon grease or the buckskin, but it's workin' for them.

Thanks for the comments/compliments. They're greatly appreciated. WWH....I notice that you're interested in Cowboy Church. I don't know where in CO you're located, but there's a great cowboy church near my hometown. It's called Northern Colorado Cowboy Church or NC3 for short. I think they're on the web, along with each service being available for download. You should check 'em out. Darn sure Bible preaching church. Anyway, thanks again for the comments. I'll find out tomorrow if the bronc halter was a hit. My son is rodeoing this weekend where the other boy lives. He's supposed to deliver it to him. Hope the boy likes it, and I hope my boy wins a bunch!!!

Here's a bronc halter I just finished. I had to make this in exchange for an alternator for my son's truck. He got stranded at a rodeo, and the guy that got him back on the road said he didn't want any money, just a bronc halter for his son. I hope he likes it.

Thanks Casey. I agree, word of mouth is by far the best. I really appreciate your compliments. You are one of the masters I look up to.