ChasCS

Thanks again for your insight and knowledge, Bruce. That's good info, to learn. Chas

These kind of threads that have open ends, always make me laugh... So what happened to the OP, who asked about his old tools. What tools were they? ;-) Chas

To that end, this old forum thread was also discovered Interesting read. I have to decide how to proceed with my old Tandy Rubiat swivel knife blade. Chas

I saw this ad on eBay this afternoon, and thought it was pretty neat. https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Vtg-Rare-Adjustable-Hackbarth-Swivel-Knife-Leather-Tools-w-Translucent-Blade-/162787294949?hash=item25e6e0fee5 I had been looking up any info. I could find, on care of the old Tandy Rubiat swivel knife blades, and ambled across this unique ad. That's the first time I had ever seen or heard about any "translucent blades, made for swivel knives. But the Hackbarth company of leather work tools, is also very new to me. That blade looks sharp, but I wonder about keeping it sharp and protected...? It's estimated price is quite high, Starting bid: US $199.99 Approximately C $254.65 [ 0 bids ] Chas

Underground, anti establishment. S**T Disturber, all around trouble maker, have also worked legitimate employment, for a price. Hahaha Sell rope, chain, scrap metal, cats, rads, aluminum rims, copper wire, brass, other precious metal. Semi retired, but still looking to kick the rusty can... ;-) Chas

You might wish to Private Message him here on the forum. Chas

I wish you all, who have found the magnificent freebies, would please post pics of your slabs. ;-) I too am a scrap lover, and have lucked out several times. I won't pass up on checking a commercial construction site, without checking the big bin. You just have to know what your looking for, and be willing to heft some serious weight. I was surprised, upon fInding large pieces of natural marble that was being replaced at a banking institution downtown. I've even given numerous friends, some nice sized slices, for their own uses. Who doesn't love playing with their marbles? Ha Chas

Yes, isn't that? Funny how that goes sometimes. Just when we were ready to fly the white flag.. i look torward to sporting some new crocodile accessories, in the new year. Haha Chas

While, I guess I spoke too soon. I see in the December Tandy Leather flier, there will be a special purchase, of Crocodile Back Strips, Assorted Colors. "These are ridged back strips from genuine crocodile. Use your creativity to custom make unique articles like belts, wrist cuffs, hatbands and more, or use for accents on projects such as guitar straps, purses, binders and more. Strips average 55" X 3-1/2" (1.4 m X 88.9 mm) at their widest point. Save up to 50%. I will have to make sure I get one. ;-) Chas

It's difficult to judge something by a photo alone. If you buy it, and like it, that's all that matters. Looking at the prices of Barry King mauls though, they are actually quite moderate. http://barrykingtools.com/roundmauls.htm I like, that he prices them, through their weight. Chas

That's lovely, using the crocodilians hide. ;-) I live in Alberta Canada, and have no idea where alligator or crocodile skin can be purchased up here. If I did, I would make it a priority. Haha Chas

Oh, ok, that looks like it will leave an impression. Haha I'm not sure about quality or usefulness, but it appears well made. Please report back, how you like it, if you buy one. Thanks Chas

SouthernCross, Hey there, did you happen to partake in the Tandy Leather Black Friday sale? I just wondered what your thoughts were, if you bought those three, as far as weight and comfort. That was a great deal. Chas

I don't know if it's just me, but that looks terribly uncomfortable. It would be slightly better, if it had a non slip rubber backing so that it would stay put. Not keep sliding down and having to continually rearrange it. I have a stitching horse and stitching pony, both of which have that section to sit on, keeping it steady and at the right distance away, for your arm length. Chas

I have a handy surgical stainless steel scalpel handle, with a box of new blades. Just have to be careful with it, not to cut the thread ends too short, or I may risk cutting through the near stitches. You could also burn off them loose ends, with a torch-lighter as well. Run the overstitch wheel across them stitches after, a couple of times, and it's all good. Chas

Instead of rubber or latex gloves, use finger cots. https://www.fingercots.net They look like condoms for the fingers. ;-) Chas

If you wanted a regular anvil, but don't wish to buy one. There are numerous YouTube videos, that demonstrate building one. https://youtu.be/Ysq9GlRPCMg https://youtu.be/fcE7kDpmzYM https://youtu.be/NjcbVQUZbN8 Chas

When I examined the Swivel knife, which was in my Australian friends gift box of tools, one thing that made me smile, was the included Ruby blade... ;-) Well yes, they certainly cut smooth. But if you polish your other regular Swivel Knife Blade/s, you might be pleasantly surprised. Chas

You've hit the "nail" on the head!! Spot On... ;-) It looks like a professionally done, leather case. Please keep at it~will only improve. & you should already be very pleased, proud of this first effort. Chas

We had previously thought, a full sized anvil would be neccesary, but recently found that the Tandy anvil, was perfect for my uses. I managed to pick mine up, after seeing it, in one of the mail out monthly sale catalogs. Saving me several dollars for other stuff. https://www.tandyleather.ca/en/product/2-lb-mini-anvil Chas

Ok, well, It's been nearly 20 hours now.still no response. Anyway, We don't need any more stamps. So I'm not going to give it a second thought. & no longer interested in playing the waiting game. Thanks for your kind words though. ;-) Chas

Hi Bruce, That's interesting news. I look forward to reading your test results and personal thoughts. Yeah, for me, so far, my experiences have only been positive ones. A tub will be my next purchase size. The Flitz tubes of product I've bought contain 150grams or 5.29 oz. about the size of a large tube of toothpaste. I want to try it as an abrasive to help keep all of my swivel knife blades with a keen edge sharp,. Ah, as well as my round head knife and any of these important blades, in my possession. Only clean, polished and sharp will do. Chas

Hello Ben, Since you had mentioned Ray Pohja, I had read this short article about him, and thought you might enjoy reading it as well. The post showing the Ray Pohja belt, found in a thrift store, was what got my attention about him. How I Remember Ray Pohja By Tad S Mizwa Much like young Ray Pohja entering the Porter saddle shop and meeting Lowell Jett who gave him encouragement, Ray became my Lowell Jett and much more...over a 63 year friendship. I too snuck into the Porter shop, drawn to the tap-tap-tap from the stamping benches. There sat Ray, munching an apple at lunchtime, studying a saddle skirt flower pattern he'd just cut. I was 19 years old, green as grass, but I could see that Ray, just 24 himself, was the best one there. One Saturday morning, Ray cut an all-knife scroll design and gave it to me to study. I used that same design on two black belts I made 50 years later, for then-Governor and Mrs George W Bush. The President referred to this as his lucky belt. Photo: Ray Pohja, left, and Rex Allen, right. Ray stamped a saddle for Rex while working for San Fernando Saddlery. Photo courtesy of Tad Mizwah. When I had a tiny Western store/saddlery in Houston, Ray made belts plus three saddles for me to sell. More than that, I would write to him asking how this or that procedure was done. He wrote detailed instructions-dozens and dozens of letters, sketches, design rub-offs and flower tapoffs. Ray sold me dozens of stamping tools and tips on how to use them. Some years ago, Ray lent me his sketch-book of design ideas, for me to study. Some of these were so complicated, with cross-overs, cross-unders and inter-locking elements, that my eyes could scarcely follow the zigging and zagging. It was like following the movements of a bowl of spaghetti. Yet the major design elements, the flowers and the large leaves were very much balanced. Ray had an uncanny ability to SEE A DESIGN AS A WHOLE, in its entirety, a startling gift if there ever was one. So long, Ray. I will always be grateful for the ways that you inspired my leatherwork and for your friendship all these years. Tad S Mizwa Leona, Texas TadSMizwa@aol.com Thanks for your input and participation on the forum. I am relatively new here, and look forward to learning, sharing, and being a small part of the community. Chas

arbalet, I sent you a PDF catalog request much earlier today, (3:00 pm ) but received no reply or the file. Are you still sending copies to the LW membership? Just curious. I have already looked at the Etsy page, thanks for the link, you posted. Be well. ;-) Chas

Oh, I have horn, just reluctant to chop off a tip. Haha Yeah sure, but I live in Edmonton Alberta. Would you mail it to me? I will PM you my mailing addy and particulars. I'm just not sure how the Canada customs folks will agree with this...? Too much snow on the ground, to search for any drops, until spring. Glad I got this thread reactivated for you, as it sat stagnant for a bit. ;-) Chas