chuck123wapati

I would use elk for the tops and heavy moose or sole leather for the soles. I put in the item number 9078 from the pattern and it pulled up "Granger excel leather" if that helps I guess they renamed it.

great idea! I make many of my stamps and leather working tools that's half the fun.

i would also suggest you download all the free books from tandy while you can. Great info!

Interesting I've never seen a tool sold like that but I haven't seen everything lol I'm only 60. the notch is what led me to think it was a ground down knife it is called a sharpening choil, Also it has the tang ground for a finger guard that appeared to be missing. It certainly looks like a useful tool whatever the origin.

looks like an old knife cut down an reground, I have done almost the exact same thing with a 1 1/2 inch thick bladed putty knife. If it works the way it is don't try to temper it you could easily make it to brittle or softer because you don't know what the metal composition is , not all steels take a temper at the same temperature.

Thank you !!!! To share knowledge is a great thing and not done nearly enough in our world today.

is it the one ton arbor press for 56 bucks? 39 if you have a coupon

cool idea indeed a fellow could pick up hundreds at the range or here in Wyoming almost anywhere lol.

Awesome work!!

good thoughts indeed I was thinking maybe the leather was made from parts of an animal that already are shaped similar, many cultures used the male genitalia of animals for bags or pouches.

l'll leave you with this info. http://www.theppsc.org/Staff_Views/Tueller/How.Close.htm

In this case outdraw would mean to react to the threat coming, perceive them as a real danger, pull your weapon aim and fire before the "thug" runs ten yards and grabs your gun hand or just tackles you to the ground. I also have carried many years but until recently I have had to realize I didn't really know how far was "to close" for me. I also have been in law enforcement for many years in corrections and trained to react to many unknown threats and it also allowed me to have actually talked to convicted felons, you're right they don't want to be shot so will make sure you don't have that advantage plain and simple. What most people don't want to realize is they still have a reaction time to overcome as well as mental issues with actually killing someone no matter how much they say they can it always affects reaction time, as you know also you could go to prison if you,re not correct in your split second decision. Your families life and happiness depends on much more than you just shooting some thug that wants your wallet you wont just go home afterwards and carry on, that small thought gives the thug the upper hand. My question to you then is how close is to close for you, DO you actually know, practicing speed loading a weapon is great but you have to get to that point first with a person trying to keep you from it. Anyway I'm way off topic so I'll leave you folks with your own opinions about personal safety.

still didn't try it, opinion means nothing! You're a great leather worker I admit but very arrogant and sarcastic with your comments so I'll concede you're the man and always right. Sorry I don't know your name but only initials.

You do know most football players just for example can run 40 yards in under 4 seconds. An average crackhead can cover 10 in much less than 3 as I said try it yourself if you don't believe me you'll be surprised!

I really wasn't trying to change the topic, start an argument or garner sarcastic remarks I was just trying to add a little commonsense about using a strap on your weapon. Law enforcement uses straps the military uses straps and any good self defense weapons instructor will tell you that drawing your weapon should only be done when you can be assured that you can come to full draw without the danger of the weapon being taken away from you. A couple of milliseconds to pop the strap will easily be overcome by practice. As JL said John Wayne wouldn't try to out draw an opponent that was to close neither would a cop and neither should anyone. You are exactly right Keep alert and if rushed take steps to get to a SAFE shooting position. Don't go un armed but do get professional hands on weapons training and YouTube videos don't qualify!!

If you think you can, try it with a friend then get back to me with the actual outcome not an opinion. Yes the duke would have because he has more sense than most people he also would have a secure weapon. By the way I'll post what I want to say thanks.

To those who think you can outdraw and shoot accurately before a person lands in the middle of your chest watches to many John Wayne movies. At best you will be wrestling over a half drawn gun. To those who think I'm wrong get a friend to Run at you from 10 yards, which is much farther than most altercations, and try to draw your piece( use a toy gun!) before he gets there! One last thought on personal protection the bad guy usually knows he's going to attack so wont give you 10 yards.

I use any of the leather boot waterproofing products that have mink oil/ beeswax in them, haven't had any problems, some of my personal sheaths are 30 + years old. they darken the leather a bit.

if your pattern is in metric then use metric tape if its in inches use a tape in inches. Don't try to figure out the stuff you don't need to its irrelevant and a waste of time.

Thanks for your thoughts and not putting people new to the craft down because they don't have the needed experience or talent to compete. Where I am at there is a lot of tourism in our state, as you can see I'm in Wyoming so the big thing here is western type goods. I'm not great at Stolhman type work and realize that but still I think I can produce some goods more to my experience level that fits the market I am in and at least break even. I think that is at least part of the key to starting out at least in my amature opinion. I,ve read a lot of post here that pertain to bad quality products and I agree fully that they exist, I don't think however that the bad work is intentional but just above the workers ability, everyone has to start somewhere and at some point put themselves out there if they intend to pursue this craft as a profession weather part-time or full.

I think you have very good idea and I think there would be some interest in these types of videos. I also think that the leatherworking industry Isn't as clearly defined however that one video would do it justice. On one end of the spectrum you have the people who , for whatever reason love the craft but don't feel the need to invest in thousands of dollars worth of machinery but still want to pay for their materials and maybe make a few bucks, usually only sell locally or at fairs and such,their requirements for "profitability" are much lower. On the other end you have younger folks who want to build a business and want it to pay their mortgage, bills etc. and would need to be mechanized much more to compete at that level of profitability. Defining profitability alone would be a video worth watching IMO, lets face it The stitching I do in my home is not comparable to machine made stuff, I know that, I don't do it to compete but if I do sell it I am competing in a very small way and I want to recoup my investment as well as anyone else, I feel however that I am competing with others selling hand stitched leather crafts and want to do it faster easier and cheaper than the guy in the next booth. You on the other hand are competing at a much higher level and I would say are competing on a global level. I agree there are enough how to vids on YouTube to waste a good weeks work and learn nothing but then again the educational system has taught most young folk that only an expert can give sound advice so there is a niche for you new product. When it boils down there are only a few ways to learn leatherwork, blindly do it yourself, read about it, watch someone do it or get lucky enough to be taught the trade from family or by being hired and trained.

You need to do one with ghost riders in the sky theme, I think you could make it look really good.

Thank you !!!!

I really like that backpack, Awesome work.