TomW2

Thanks. It does have a welt and the stitching was done after I set the rivets. The stiches look a little sketchy but I used a drill press to drill my holes for stitching.

Thanks! The collar just helps protect the handle. If you split a piece of wood it will keep it from hitting the handle on the sides and keeps it safe from mis-hits. I'm just south of Asheville.

I haven't done any leather work since I was in the Boy Scouts. So this is the first project that I have done in 25 years! I am really enjoying getting back into it. I made a sheath or mask for my new camp ax. I kind of had some trouble with the dying but I am pretty happy with how it came out.