RidgebackCustoms

Added color. First time using the Eco Flo Hi-Lite stain. I like it MUCH better than the gel antique or the fiebing's antique pastes. Easier to get the pigments off the areas you don't want them with the Hi Lite. This is their Briar Brown.

I'm from Easley. Didn't know there were others in the area. Anyone interested in a meet up?

Video from the event:

In 2019, members of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, reenacted climbing the cliffs of Pointe Du Hoc for the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Some of the Rangers were dressed in period accurate uniforms while others were dressed in modern combat gear. The picture, used as reference, was taken that day. Members of the original 2nd Ranger Battalion were responsible for climbing the cliffs and silencing the guns firing onto the beaches that day, June 6, 1944. I got to spend a long holiday weekend in the shop and this felt like an appropriate piece for the holiday.

Fair. I was scared to try on the first portrait, but think I'm going to give it another go to see if I can get the eyes behind the glasses. I think I may try to dye the background to increase the contrast.

https://www.weaverleathersupply.com/products/chahinleather-holster-leather?variant=44039388397708 Weaver's Chahin leather is pre-dyed and still will case and stamp. I've used it for guitar straps using simple stamp patterns and it works well.

I've been spending my leather time learning to do portrait work. The Elktracks studio courses by Annie Libertini have been invaluable in that effort. My first from scratch portrait is Stan "The Man" Lee. I love comic book heroes and his voice overs from the old cartoons always carry fond memories. As an adult it was great watching the Marvel universe come to life on the big screen, especially the X-men and Spiderman. Appreciate any criticisms or notes for improvement. I already know I probably wouldn't do the background the same. It seems to busy to me and distracts the boundary between figure and background, especially around the hair.

Finished the latest Bible binding project. Certainly not understated, lol. I think it would be a cool special Bible to bring out at Christmas with the red and white theme. Looks like a candy cane. Liner is white lambskin. The exterior is red waxy leather from Badalassi Carlo with the same white lambskin liner. I've got plans for more, but I've exhausted my leather budget for the month. Maybe next month.

I like leatherstampmaker.com If you reach out direct, they can probably help you. They sell their letters and adapters to fit several hot foil machines.

Check out talasonline.com. It's a book binding website, but they have leather tools, including an assortment of decent skiving knives for decent prices. They also have good deals on bone folders.

Yes. Just load up shearling with tan kote, and then buff the flesh side until smooth.

At the end of your stitch line do you backstitch?

Needed a catchy title to maybe get more eyes. I cut out and collect the brands I find in the hides I buy. Some people like them, some people don't. For the people that like them I hang on to them and use them for special projects. For example I have a HP brand that I'm just waiting for the right customer to come along (initials or something) to use. I have an Omega symbol that I've also been hanging on to to hopefully mate with an Alpha symbol. Maybe for a custom bible rebind? I don't know. My question is: 1. Does anyone else collect their brands they find or am I a weirdo? 2. Is there any site or service that offers up brands to makers? I.e. you can specifically buy the brand you're looking for or cool brands to integrate into a project? 3. What other unique ideas have you had to use those branded pieces?

I'm guessing 2 threads knotted together and saddle-stitched. I'm curious how you did the thread terminations. I've done something similar, but the thread terminations gave it away. Wondering if you found a way to terminate them hidden/cleanly?

Check out the post of a similar machine in Leather History. Some members have experience with them based on this thread.