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ChasCS

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Posts posted by ChasCS

  3. Posted · Report reply

    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

    image.jpeg

  6. Posted · Report reply

    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

    image.jpeg

  8. Posted · Report reply

    3 hours ago, ChasCS said:

    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

    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

  13. Posted · Edited by ChasCS · Report reply

    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

  14. Posted · Report reply

    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

  17. Posted · Report reply

    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

  20. Posted · Edited by ChasCS · Report reply

    3 hours ago, Northmount said:

    Do you realize the time zone difference?  Fellow needs to sleep sometime.  3PM here, roughly 11PM there.

    Tom

    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

     

     

  21. Posted · Report reply

    4 hours ago, bruce johnson said:

    I am currently testing a a few rust preventing products. You all have convinced me to go ahead and order a can. Around here I can only find the liquid in the bottle now, and as reported it is a diluted version of the paste. As I wrote above, I have not found the liquid to have the same rust preventative ability vs the paste. We are going into our damp season here and I might as add the paste into the test as well. Hit me up in April or May, and if things go right we can share some results.  

    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

  22. Posted · Report reply

    On July 9, 2011 at 2:24 PM, gtwister09 said:

    Wyoming Slick,

    I am fortunate over the years to gather up several different makers brands of tools (all these mentioned as well as some others like Hackbarth, Wootres, Smith and others) including hand made ones from nails that were made by Ray Pohja for Bob Dellis. Anyhow a couple of statements in this thread piqued my interest.

    (1) Question from you concerning someone's inference of McMillan tools and

    (2) Answers to Bruce's questions below that ties to answering #1. " Is there any real definite ways to tell let's say an Eberle from an unmarked McMillen from some of the other makers? You hear about knurling, ends, shank length, shank diameter, and the the old "once you have seen a few, then you know". Any thoughts?"

    My Eberle's have two different markings on them and another one of them has no marking whatsoever but I know this unmarked one came from him because Bob Dellis showed me his receipts for them. So I would certainly love to hear just like I know Bruce would what you consider to be Eberle characteristics, McMillan characteristics and so forth. Any additional thoughts on it as well would be appreciated. It helps to know all viewpoints on these while you are hunting [collecting] tools.

    Thanks in advance for your time.

    Regards,

    Ben

    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.


    Photo of Ray Pohja and Rex AllenHow 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

     

  23. Posted · Report reply

    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

  24. Posted · Report reply

    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

  25. Posted · Report reply

    Sounds as though you have it covered, in multiples. 

    I try not to use my fine dining cutlery, in the hobby arena. ;-)

    But do have numerous wood working and outdoor tools, other implements which could certainly double as a folder. 

    Preferably keeping things in their proper perspectives, I would like to acquire a few more leather tools, and a fine bone or antler folder would be a great addition to my ever growing leather tool collection.

     

     

    Chas

     

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