Leather Bum

Where do you like to purchase deerskin? I have some "economy" grade black deerskin from TLF, and it bleeds when wet. . . Is this typical, or is there deerskin available that doesn't bleed much? I don't know much about deerskin, so I'm looking for feedback on where others are buying it. Micah

Thanks for the info, Dwight. L'Bum

Thanks for that tip, Dwight. What weight leather did you use for the brush, and do you clean it in lacquer thinner after each use or. . .? L'Bum

Here's a thread about those excellent Hackbarth stamping tools. The contact information is listed there as well. By the way, when I purchased the set this year, the price had increased to $145 for the set -- still an extremely good deal. They are very nicely-made tools. L'Bum Offtopic: Wouldn't this topic fit better in the Leather Tools forum. . .?

Not Deb59 here, but I have used the Crown tools (made in Japan by Kyoshin Elle and Craft Japan, if I'm not mistaken) from Siegel of California. I would say of the ones I have bought, they are definitely better quality than the Craftools. Unfortunately, I believe SofC will no longer be stocking these stamps, but as far as I know, Hidcrafter sells some of them. . . L'Bum

That's a great-looking bracer. . . rather clean and neat. What size grommets (eyelets?) are those and where do you buy them? Thanks very much, L'Bum

O'brien Consolidated Industries. The website says, "Oblong , Strap-End and Custom Shapes Made to Order." Also, I believe Brettun's Village Leather sells some tools made by them, including oblong punches here. edit: Upon looking more closely, I'm thinking these might be too narrow as well. . . L'Bum

Those are stunningly well-done, Scott! I suppose you used an Angelus finish as well. . . What was it and how do you apply it? Thanks for sharing with us. L'Bum

Does anyone know where I can purchase a snap like this? Here's a picture of the stud part: And what about these rivets? I'm not even sure how the cap and post are secured together. . . Thanks everyone, L'Bum

5shot, Let us know if you ever come across a supplier for smaller quantities of brass buckles made in the US; I've searched unsuccessfully for a while, although Phillip Machine makes good-looking buckles, and I think they could plate them too. Perhaps if you did end up ordering a large number of buckles you could sell some to others looking for US-made hardware. . . L'Bum

Thank you very much, Boomstick. I had wondered about the angled slots as well. L'Bum

That's an interesting tutorial. Thanks for the link, zaptoid. Would anyone mind explaining why belt slots are sometimes cut curved rather than straight. . .? L'Bum

I've been wanting to use a grommet with a more finished look to it than the plain sheet metal grommets you can buy at hardware stores. It appears as though the rolled-rim grommets all have prongs on the washers. . . Has anyone used this type of grommet on vegetable-tanned leather, and are there any issues with the prongs digging in properly when setting the grommet? Thanks for any thoughts on this. . . L'Bum

Siegel of California sells quite a few CS Osborne tools (the most commonly-available, good-quality leatherwork tools I know of), and in my experience (not much), they are fine, US-made tools. And the Osborne #517 harness needles work very well for hand-sewing, IMO. L'Bum

I would highly recommend the DOT line 24 snaps. Tandy's are probably made in China anyway. . . Some DOT brand snaps are also available from Perfect Fit. L'Bum

Are the test strips from the same piece of leather? L'Bum

How does the Bag Kote compare to Tan Kote? I'm curious what the differences or similarities are. . . Thanks everyone. L'Bum

How about Caledon Leather? I just saw the link somewhere else on the board. . . L'Bum

OK, I doubt this will be any help, but I think I've had similar experiences. . . I'm not sure I can tell from the pictures what you're talking about. . . but I think I can tell from your description exactly what you're talking about. That is precisely what I've noticed happens a lot of times with my vinegaroon: the black fades to gray when the leather is flexed. It turns a nice dark black when a finish is applied, but quickly turns gray when the leather is bent. In an attempt to test the durability of the finish, I've scratched it when it's dry, and it turns gray then as well (unlike a dyed and finished piece). I would really like to know why my vinegarooned leather seems to accept finishes differently than my un-vinegarooned leather. . . Yes, that sounds like what has happened to me. In fact, I seem to recall that a second coat of the vinegaroon does not even necessarily fix this (in my case); oiling should help here, but, as TwinOaks mentioned, be careful not to over-oil. Perhaps the vinegaroon is not strong enough -- though I doubt this -- or perhaps it simply does not work as nicely on some leathers as it does on others. Or perhaps it's something else. . .? In the end, though, I would have to say I still like the vinegaroon better than dye. L'Bum

Montana Leather Company sells brass line 20 snaps here. I think they are solid brass; if so, the brass coloring should not wear away. . . You can also try DOT Fasteners for black snaps (I'm not completely sure, but I thought the line 20 snaps are also called "Baby Durable" snaps. . .?). L'Bum

OK Thanks, Lobo. And I do happen to agree here as well. . .

Ok, thanks, Lobo; that sounds good. The reason I wondered is because I'm interested in building a heavy-duty 1.5" gun belt at some point, but was really uncertain as to how well these types of belts will fit on regular pants. . . L'Bum

As usual, Lobo, your stuff looks very cool and well-done. Thanks for sharing. How well do these 1-1/2" gun belts fit on regular pants. . .? L'Bum

Lobo, am I understanding correctly that you're able to buy Wickett and Craig leather in cuts smaller than a whole side? L'Bum

Thank you very much, Ed! That's just what I was wanting to know. L'Bum