Wykoni

I know the master leather smith at colonial Williamsburg and will asked the question. My thought is not, they really looked at quality as very clean cutting with remarkably good sewing. Nothing decorative. I will ask and get back.

I am a very limited seller and producer of leather goods. I know several of the people that has given you advice. As all have said this is a tough business. Like someone said holsters are common place items here in the U.S. Those that are successful in this categories fall into two camps. They are either very large, or very good. I know saddlers in Texas that do beautiful work and are very successful, but not to the point where it’s totally there day jobs. The big guys, have good prices, in some cases are a bit high but are almost totally automated, ie sewing machine, pattern cutting machines even to some cases power Bevelers. Time is money, and they reduce there time. I think you received the best advice, get out look around, see what sells, go to gun shows, see what leather goods are there, is it tooled or not....what are the prices, California gets better prices for stuff then let’s say Minot N.D. There’s a lot of factors here, as Lumpendoodle said, find your niche. Hope I have helped a little.

Have a saddler friend who purchases from panhandle, he loves it. I do from both, really have to say bad about Springfield. Have always treated me right.

Yin, your belt looks nice. I agree with you about belt making, have made several and would rather get shot then make one..lol. Anything else but a belt...but good job.

French only uses leg tension, from your legs, where the English has bolts running through it to cause mechanical tension.

Anyone know where I can buy either an English (preferred) or French saddlers stitching clam. thanks

Looking for a quality steel diamond awl. Have used some Japanese stuff that’s been pretty good but just wondering who is the market leader for quality thanks

YinTx I like it...been practicing those circles. Looks really good. Like I said before your a natural. Hope to see much much more. As to what you see, you will always see that. Good luck my friend.

I was curious about the welt to. I have done it before but more for added space, now I know what it’s really used for lol

Very good work...definitely got the wow factor. I have got one I have been working on but keep putting it aside...get back to it in time. Lol

I have used elephant ear before, it is soft and was easily overdyed. You can buy it in the states from exotic leather dealers along with other kinds. Very nice wallet.

Is that hand stitching on holster, very nice

I have looked at the power mallet myself. I have the power source so my investment would be the 700.00. That kind of throws me off but not so much the artistry of the craft. I kind of look at it like this. The Michael Angelo was a great sculpture. He did his work with a hammer and chisel..why...no jackhammers at the time. It's a personal choice but it doesn't eliminate the artist, but enhances his art. I have talked to some fantastic saddle makers who are great artist and many look at it as a time saver. They make their living by making beautiful saddles so quicker is better. I would think if you carve leather poorly, even with a power mallet it would be poor, just a bit better...Isn't art kind of a personal thing anyway?

I am more like David, I think if you concentrate on your work, verses the hitting instrument you will do better with the hammer. The hammer has a larger sweet spot as he says. In the past few years I have moved from maul, to large plastic hammer to rawhide small hammer. I primarily do holster work, so maybe if you do saddles with heavier leather something else would be in order.