PastorBob

beautiful work as always!

pics please. It will continue to get more fluid as you go. proper casing of the leather will lend to the pear shading and beveling. Also, I find that the better pieces of leather, like Hermann Oak, really make a difference vs. the import stuff with regard to crispness and clarity of stamping impressions.

Great to hear. So much is lost as to the importance of GREAT customer service.

Couldn't agree more with @JLSleather. There is much to be said from picking up a stamping tool and whacking it multiple times in leather to understand the proper angle, pressure applied, etc. When I first started hand stitching, I broke needles using pliers to pull them through the holes, my stitch lines were all over the place, and were never aligned front to back. I was able to pull up a dozens of YouTube videos and watch another artist perform the task FOR FREE (there are so many folks that have the ability to pass on their knowledge with no need to pay for it.) to help me understand how to do it better. There have been numerous folks who I have learned from who have no idea they taught me something. My thoughts are (and why I joined this forum) that if I can help someone become better at the craft, for free! As the Johnny Cash song says, "No Charge".

I have tried for several years to get mine working to no avail. Sitting off to the side now. Any takers for $75 with shipping included?

Very nice work. Clean lines.

My personal opinion would be to give them a coat of neatsfoot oil, then let them slowly patina with use. I have a really nice leather sleeve over my favorite drinking tumbler. It was done this way and was a light color. Over the last few years of use, and spilling drinks, down the side, etc. it is a nice rich darker brown. Kind of reminds me of how my baseball glove patina'd over the years growing up...the inside of it anyways, The rings will only be noticeable until they dry. As more happen it will have an even coat of a darker color. It will look nice.

Thanks, as always, Chuck. Great, simple instructions.

Sorry to hear about the arthritis setting in. I still have a few good years before it's too bad. Not necessarily interested in the 1/2" letters, but may be interested in something else you are letting go.

Got any pics or links, or a list?? Might be interested.

Might try these folks. No affiliation, but have bought a number of products from them. Great folks to work with. Great customer service. https://www.shop.bunkhousetools.com/Holster-Molds_c2.htm

I have the glowforge. I believe it has a tube.

I just know, for my business, I sent everything insured. It was my responsibility until the customer received it. Don't know how much money I lost due to some parcel company losing / damaging one of my items. When that happened, I apologized to the customer and sent out another one in it's place. That's how I like to be treated...expect the same. Sorry for your loss, in both time and money.

Are they dyed or antiqued? One could use a waterproofing salve or spray them with Saddle-Lac.

They aren't going to send you another knife to replace the damaged one? That's a crock!

Thanks for the detail. I have some 1/4" clear plexi I am going to give it a try. Thanks again @RockyAussie

That's pretty cool. How are you attaching the leather to the cap? If you can get all the char off the leather, for those small pieces, simply pour your dye into a shallow container that has a large enough area to completely submerge your projects. Literally just get it completely wet with dye, then remove and set aside to dry. Weaver leathercraft has some videos showing this technique. make sure to take a piece of plastic (like a trashbag) and secure to your workbench on which to lay the wet pieces just so it doesn't get real messy and make sure to wear gloves. Some of the dyes take a long while to get out from under your fingernails.

Joe Meling has some excellent carving practice videos with exercises you can do. Also, Bruce Cheney as well as Springfield Leather.

Glad to be of help. I have had mine since 2012. I have flipped it a couple of times, but have made literally thousands of cuts on it and it is still in great shape.

I went with this. Got a 4 x 6 pc and cut in two. Used one, rolled the other up and kept as a spare. great mats....http://www.speedpress.com/products/2/1 I got the one without the grid.

Whatever makes sense to your natural posture while working...they now have those hydraulic desktops that rise so folks can stand while working or lowered for desk chair height. I like to have a tall work bench like @SaintJoy18 mentioned. I use a shop stool for some items, then stand for others. When I am working on large pieces of leather, say cutting out pattern pieces, I tend to stand and move side to side in front of the work area. It sure makes it easier that it is higher rather than desk level. Good luck with the build!

I love the loops for the ammo. Everyone has their own preference, but I try to make my holster long enough to cover the front part of the slide, just so it doesn't get dinged up. What type of leather is that you used? And did you use a liner?

You might check out the glowforge community page. They have a lot of great advice on laser engraving.

Beautiful! Nice craftsmanship. Love the detail on the stumps. Brought back memories of the Darling's from Andy Griffith...just missing the jug the dad played.

Yep. Any beveler will work. I just went to the BK site as I knew they had pics to easily understand the point of my post. I started with a tandy standard beveler, then upgraded to the craft pro (or whatever they call their top line tools) with hatch pattern. I absolutely love it. I then got some steep ones from BK for those tight areas. Yes, pricey, but very good quality.