FrenchMich

I master these areas of engineering quite well but the English is not my native language and it's not easy to to me to follow this kind of conversation. I'm afraid to write nonsences whitch will be misinterpreted. I don't refuse progress when it brings, I'm not reactionary. In France, we say that Vergez uses ''an iron to shoe a donkey'' It's a French expression to describe the tinplate very slack.I still have some old Balnchard awls that I preciously keep but it was other thing. What I can say, the Jerome's awls come directly from machining, it is a very high quality steel and they can be used directly without any preparation. That's right, it should not be dropped on hard ground under penalty of break it. Jerome made me some special longuer awls and sew a cheyenne roll with become a real pleasure. Everyone does as they like Mich' PS : I still have some recent Vergez-Blanchard awls and handles (new and no prepared). I won't use it anymore and if somebody want, I'm ready to send him it free.

Hello Paloma, Beautiful hand stitching, it was a 9 claw? Mich'

Thank you very much Chuck, now I all understood. So i will stay wise and stoic.

Chuck, excuses me but my English is not sufficient to understand your reply

I'm came here to share points of view with craftsmen of country of Cowboys. But if it's too much complicated I'm leaving where I come from. I have a few of very good contact in USAand I can satisfied myself of that.

When a tool works well and that in addition he's beautiful, it doesn't spoil anything. I like working with beautiful tools which already have a story. We could do an analysis, but it's not necessary. Without being a god of mechanics, the old Blanchard hand forged awls broke, the new Vergez-Blanchard awls bent it proves that the steel is less hard. But like I wrote upper, I don't proselytize. And it not necessary to be agressive. i think i will stop there

Hello, An equipment for the motorbike of my little bros. First the Fuel reserve support with Jack Daniel's Brand and basket carved. Next the left saddle bag with Jack Daniel's support. The removable bottle holder. The front part and the flap are full basket carved with skull on the flap. All the parts before assembly Finished product on the Bike

Like that, I could say somebody tried to make a medieval style saddle on the base of western saddle. Maybe for for the show of chivalry. It make me think (but just little bit) at the old ''Selle à la Française''. This one had made by a good friend of mine. Jean-Luc Parisot English Saddle maker in Saumur France but he also make very nice western saddle. Mich'

Chuck, I love your tools, really splendid. Mich'

Hello, Alesia, Thank you very much but I'm not an expert, only a little enlightened amateur ...But I try to improve my level each day. I just posted a subject with my methodology to make a belt of chaps. I'm waiting for commentaries for this reason. If we can share it will be with pleasure, everyone can learn from everyone. Philippe, you are the Philippe that I know from Dude Ranch? Mich'

Hello, In France There a old house which make and sale this kind of product. It name is Poursin and it exist since 1830. If you want some informations, I can call them. I bought one few years ago for the same utilisation.Of memorie it was not chicago screws back but pins attachment, it holds up very well but you have to make a lining. It's not in inch but in millimeter and the bigest is 68 mm (approximately 2-3/4''). It's solid brass hand polished. If I can help you, don't hesitate. Web site : https://www.poursin-paris.fr/ to find the right page, go to at ''Cocardes, grelots et initiales'' in the left column. If you want I also can ordered for you and send you in California.

Thank you but Everything can be improved and I work for it. Mich'

Hello, Thank you very much.YinTx, yes I did.

A pair of Cowboy cuffs full carved

Beautiful, but above all good, It work perfectly and there several wood species (ebony, royal ebony, olive tree, macassar ebony, snakewood, boxwood, amourette, yew wood and a lot of others)

Yes Paloma, It's the new design. HondoMan, I don't have any action on the Jerome sales, I don't proselytize and everyone makes their own choices. However, if a steel is easy to polish, it's because it's soft. Moreover, Blanchard is the old Brand, today it's Vergez Blanchard and steels are not the same. That they are hand forged has become a legend. Here in France, we are looking for old Blanchard tools which are not the same quality. I just found some old real Blanchards tools I have restored. To finish, if a day you have occasion to try a Jerome's awl, you will anderstand, the leather becomes butter. Mich'

More one with Paloma. Now, I only use Jérôme David awls. He's a good friend of mine and he just live beside. If somebody is interested, I can send his Awl with verygood prices. It's not necessary to add sharpening or polishing or any finishing. It's ready for utilisation. It just need to scrub some time on sharpening strop with lapping paste. Mich'

Hello, Like JRodz, I don't have Techsev experience. On the other hand, I'm pocessor of a Cobra class 4. It's a sewing machine very easy to use. We make Chaps, saddle making or repairs, leather goods and others. This machine is really versatile. As well for a very thick veg leather than a very fine Chrom tanned hide with his different fixtures. The step by step motor allows a very great precision. It permits several work ergonomics, sit and stand. His weight allows to sew big and heavy parts with a good stability (with locked wheels). I don't say that is the better machine, but I'm convinced that is a good compromise. Moreover it's a machine widespread and it's easy to find componants. In any case for us in Europe, it's maybe different in USA. Not sure that I helped you in your questioning but... Mich'

I made this wedding album cover three years ago. Full carved with mix basket and floral on natural veg leather (HO) of 8/9 Oz. The finishing is only a layer of olive oil.

Hello, Thank you very much to all for your welcome and your compliments about my work. Paloma, this world is so little, happy to see you here. Jesse, here we are in the world and country of leather crafters and saddle makers. Thank you for your words but here we are little beginners. I didn't look many post, but I already seen some great names. Mich'

First, I must inform you that my English is very approximativ and if you accept me here, you will have to accept my mistakes and clumsinesses. My major activity is study and development engineer for Automotive industry. But I'm passionate by the leather work for several years and I made of that a second job. We work together with Cody, my wife. Essentialy for equipments of Western Riding and Bikers. I started working with leather in a completely self-taught way 20 years ago and next I met a lot of interesting people (European and American). The French have great difficulty sharing their knowledge, they are always afraid that the bread will be taken from their mouths (French expression). Except my Friend Jean-Luc Parisot classic saddlemaker in Saumur. On the other hand, I found great guys in Switzerland, in Germany and in USA which are always ready to share. They helped me to progress, haved shared with me all their tips. I am very grateful to them. Today, we make a lot of chaps (Chaps of reining, cutting and other one. Armitas, chinks, shotgun and batwing), bridles, Spurs straps, belt, saddle bags, gun holster, knives holster and we do a lot of big western saddle repairs. I do all the leather carving and I always try to improve my job. A few pictures of our work Thank you for welcoming me among you Mich'