tsunkasapa

I have always warranted any of my goods for life, with the exception of belts and wallets. Those two items take too much abuse, and are only warranted for two years. My warrantee is to repair or replace, at MY option, THEY ship to me, I ship back. That is as fair as it comes.

I bought what was referred to as a "Grandpa's Sit N Stitch" at the Pendleton Leather show 2 years ago. $20 and a few hours of my time. I wouldn't sew at anything else! They DO exist.

Totally YOUR choice, but I don't/WON'T use synthetics. If you are working with leather, WHY would you introduce PLASTIC? Your mileage may vary.

Here is the same one for $5 less. https://makersleathersupply.com/collections/blue-guns/products/operator-1911-a1-5

As with anything, your stitching will improve with practice.

Greetings. The PNW is a big patch of territory, can you whittle it down some?

https://makersleathersupply.com/collections/blue-guns My take on these and other items was to tack on $5-10 per project if it was something you can use for others. Obviously a 1911 is more common than a Nambu, so you may want to add the entire cost of the Nambu Blue Gun(I don't know if they do a Blue Nambu, just an obscure example).

If my granddaughter sees that she'll want me to make one.

Oregon Leather is also in Eugene, somewhat closer than Portland. You might also call Maverick Leather over in Bend. They are good people and I do a fair bit of business with them. https://maverickleathercompany.com/

Natural fibers are the only ones that "take" dye. Synthetics may get dye ON them, but the results are not good. Linen, hemp etc is the way to go if you want to dye it. I do occasionally dye thread for a project, but mostly I just use brown or black. I never cared for the look of natural/white thread on any project unless it is white leather. There have been times when I want that contrast, but not very often.

I have done business with these folks a couple times and was satisfied with the service. They are down in North Carolina. I don't know if the quality is any better, but their veg-tan scrap is running 3lbs for $16. https://www.zackwhite.com/ A couple that I use more frequently are; https://maverickleathercompany.com/ https://montanaleather.com/ And finally, here are some double shoulders that Weaver has a good deal on. It IS heavier than what you were thinking of, but it is a good sized piece for not much more than you paid for the scrap. https://www.weaverleathersupply.com/catalog/item-detail/lot-190507/veg-tanned-natural-double/pr_60902/cp_/shop-now/clearance Hope any of this helps.

That is a thonging or stitching chisel. From the picture I can't tell if it is for lacing or stitching, but here in the Northwest of the U.S. I have never heard them called a "pricking iron.

And, really, after over 40 years of leatherworking, I STILL don't know what the hell a "pricking iron" is. I HEAR all manner of things wrongly called that, but I have NEVER actually MET a "Pricking Iron".

Also, LACING/THONGING chisels or for hand stitching?

OK OK OK This I can make simple. To start out, I HIGHLY recommend this 3 ply waxed flax from Crazy Crow. It is inexpensive. It is consistent. And it is easy to work with. And the good folks are very easy to work with. https://www.crazycrow.com/craft-thread/waxed-linen-cord-3-ply-45-yards This and their 5 ply are my go to threads for hand stitching, and it will get you going on hand stitching.

Since many others have offered you advice on leather, I will refrain to keep things simple. What I WOULD suggest, is, rather than just "USA" for your location, put your ACTUAL location so we could direct you to regional sources. Here in the Northwest we have several very good, very helpful leather dealers, and I'm sure that others have the same. So, help US help YOU. I promise not to send you spam!

Very nice work +1 on the black

Thanks guys. Last night our Governor extended the "Stay at Home" thing for another 30 days, so I guess I have lots of time to work on them. I'm finishing one made from Shrunken Bison. I TOLD them not to put that wet buffalo in the dryer, but did they listen? Noooo.

I don't see any problem with the quality of your stitching. I do know that the geometry of your awl, most specifically the TIP dictates the path the awl wants to take through the leather.

Thanks all. I'm not a fan of the synthetics, although I have tried nylon. I thought it had too much stretch. The hemp I'm using needs a knot on each end until it's waxed to keep it from unraveling. Once it's waxed that's not an issue.

Other than a bit of lacing from time to time, I handstitch everything. I see Many different threads, poly, nylon, braided. I sew everything with 3 or 5 ply flax I get from Crazy Crow, or 3 or 5 ply hemp I get from Rawganique.com. The hemp comes natural and unwaxed, so I can dye to suit. I'm wondering what others use.

I recently saw a Tony L***a belt at a thrift store. It was a filigreed belt that had vinyl for the color layer. I would have expected better from the brand.

Many years ago a friend from my town moved to the Seattle area and lived a couple miles from a Tandy store. When I went to visit John, I would go hang out at the store for a couple of hours and got to know all the people quite well. But my home town is about 2 1/2 hours from there, so I couldn't always buy in person. So I would have Sharon or Kevin pick out one that THEY would buy and send it to me. Also had the same relationship with Leather Factory in Spokane...before Tandy drug them down to their level. I miss the old days.

Put some oxalic acid crystal in the water you case it with and it will minimize the chances of mold or mildew.

Very nice job. I used to have a dog that was half malamute and half mastiff. There was no commercial collar strong enough to hold him, so I would hand stich two layers of 8 oz and make him a new one every year.