Scootch

Looks good!

Thank you for the reply. I didn't realize the bobbin carried a lighter weight thread. A sewing machine is a significant investment for my budget. I want to make sure I make the proper choice. It looks like a man really needs two different size machines. Thanks again, Scootch

I've been seriously thinking about a sewing machine. What is the capeabliity of the Cobra 26 and Cowboy 227R... Will they sew better than 12 oz Herman Oak or is 12 oz about the limit? I've been making. belts in the 12 oz range, gun holsters from 8/9 oz so about 18oz thickness there and the same for pancake case trapper scabbards. Aside from how much veggie tan they will sew is there an advantage of one machine over another? Thanks, Scootch

I'm finishing up an avenger style holster that is lined. To this point the only holsters I've made have been unlined. It wasn't a whole lot more work and I think it's worth the effort. This holster I used 4/5 oz Herman oak for the liner and outer shell. The way the inside formed to the pistol is really nice. I have a few older lined holsters that were purchase, one has a pig skin liner and the other suede. This Herman oak liner is much nicer than the pig and suede in my opinion. What would you recommend for a fully tooled and lined holster... 8/9 for the outer to allow for deeper tooling and 3/4 for the liner? I haven't tried tooling the 4/5 oz leather. The lightest leather I've tooled has been an 8/9 oz. Thanks, Scootch

Very nice looking holster. Your bar grounding looks great. I like the pistol too! Scootch

I have an old El Paso Saddlery poster that is lined, pig skin I think. They brought the liner over the edge of the veg tan. A side view of the holster shows the liner wrapped over the edge of the veg tan and then its stitched. If I can find where it's hidden I'll take a picture. Scootch

You mention not getting much of a positive response from the non leather crowd. Most of the things I've made I've gifted. My circle of folks look at something I've carved all think its just a bunch of stamps in the shapes of leaves, flowers and scrolls. It's really hard for them to appreciate what goes into it though they make think the design is cool or pretty. I wouldn't know how to begin to price something. I'll have around 30-40 dollars in materials in a belt and I don't know many people that would pay that for a belt much less compensation enough to make a profit! I think the next belt I carve and sew will be an 1 3/4 inch belt tampered to 1 1/2 on each end. Scootch

I ended up buying mine directly from Crimsonhides.com. I had to contact my bank and have them open up a transaction for that part of the world. I'd also like to try his stitch groover. Scootch.

I'm pretty new at this with only making a handful of items. Thus far I've only used Tan Kote but I'm planning to try Resolene. Like you the only instruction I've had is youtube with the exception of a few folks on the forum giving me some pointers. At some point I want to build a small book library. You could give the leather a two second dunk in water and form around the handle a bit if you wanted and I think all veggie tan needs some sort of oil nourishment before applying your protective coating. Scootch

Nice scabbard. The stitching looks nice and I like the accent border line. Scootch

Thats about the price range of the Barry King tool set. He has a set for smaller items like belts, holsters, sheaths and then a set for larger work. These are only tooling tools. No mallet or swivel knife. They will also allow you to substitute tools i.e. vertical thumbprint for horizontal or smooth etc... The only substitution I made was to upsize the bar grounders to 35's. https://www.barrykingtools.com/sizelist.htm Scootch

I use the Barry King with the interchangeable blade. The handle is in-between his small and medium size. Scootch

Really nice job. I've tooled one belt for a 36" waist and have about 15 hours of work in the belt including 7.5 hours of hand stitching. I might could move a little faster now but the dread of hand stitching has prevented me from making another. I'm not sure how anyone could come out selling products with much sewing without buying a sewing machine. Again, nice job. Scootch