Spence

Welcome from Central Central Texas. You're gonna love this place !!

Just wanted to pop in here and say that Kevin and his crew at Springfield are beyond great !!! The customer service is surely a welcome change from the norm. Of course the prices are great for us starving artists and fixed income folks. Thanks Kevin

I haven't done it in awhile, but if you Google "pyrography" you should be able to come up with some branding irons. If I remember right, they're not cheap. Brian: I should have my maker's stamp and a custom stamp of a "Caduseous" by the end of the week. Brenda is really great to work with. We started with a photo of one of my German Shepherds and I just photoshopped all of the texture out of the face and she was able to redraw the main lines. I'll post pics of them as soon as I get them.

Just a "far-out" thought. Were you wearing jewelry - watch or ring??

I too have not had great luck with the handheld stringers. I have 3 of them and they're all driving me nuts. But the handheld splitter is extremely easy to handle. To me, it has become invaluable. Every string I use for a project gets run through this splitter. Now that I'm venturing into strapwork, I am finding it equally easy to use on straps up to 1-1/2". btw, I'm in no way connected to Dene Williams. I just like what he has done to make my braiding life easier. If you're interested, I can email you a couple of pictures.

Kate, that's right it is made of Delrin. I had never heard of the heat stamp thing....novice disease. lol

You may be looking for a 'Maker's Stamp'. There are quite a few sources here for that. Just yesterday, I contacted a lady that makes them and for $35 + $5 shipping, She is making up a 'Maker's Stamp' for me. It's from a photo of one of my German Shepherds with the kennel name on the bottom. While I was at it, I had her make a stamp with the Caduceus on it. I have a project where that is needed and I couldn't find one. Her website is: www.lasergiftcreations.com Her name is Brenda and her customer service skills are awesome.

Somewhere, I mentioned about the handheld splitter I use for my string. I have found I can't do without it. It is made by Dene Williams, the son of the man that invented the original 'Aussie Strander.' He makes a nice strander too. I have it, but I've not been able to become proficient at it. I've heard some really nice reviews of it though. I paid less for both of them, including the shipping from Australia than some are selling them for here in the USA. I've also used this same splitter on 7/8 straps up to 1-1/2" wide. I just shave a little bit at a time until I've got it down to where I want. With string, you could almost make paper. The blades are the everyday Stanley Utility blades. As far as beveling goes, I do the flesh sides only. (no particular reason) I can't justify the cost of a 'machine' so I just use a knife or box cutter (w/single edged razor blade). Beveling all 4 edges may suffice for splitting but it would depend on the leather, the thickness and the angles of the bevels - I would think. I've done a very shallow bevel on the flesh edges, which I guess you could call splitting - after a fashion. Soaping the strings really well, throughout the process, will let them slip into place very easily. Glenn Dunholm, a master whip maker in Australia, once said he uses soap exclusively on his whips.

Outstanding - as usual

Sorry, I was referring to books that I own, that make up my own library. I know what you're going through with a very small town library - and a smaller budget. A really great alternative is right here, where you're at. In addition, one of the members, Knothead, has a website that is about as good as it gets for learning things. I'm no good at all with writing up tutorials, even though I'll sit for hours teaching someone. Yes, practice is the key, but you need to know what to practice on too. After 50 years, I still have a 3' piece of rope that I will take with me if I expect to be waiting for something - doctor, car repair, etc. You can't possibly remember all of the knots and fancywork that are in the many books out there. What works for me - I figure out what I'm going to be tying, braiding or weaving, along with what materials I'm gonna need for a particular project. I then grab the pertinent book (in your case - find it here or on Knothead's site) and start tying it with rope. Once I've got it figured out, I take that rope with me - and tie those knots, etc at every opportunity. By the time you're ready to start your project, you are fully prepared. Good luck and never hesitate to ask questions. This forum is the best there is.

Does anyone know where I might find a concho or stamp of a German Shepherd head ?

Practice, experience and experimentation. I have quite a few reference books in my library of rope and leatherwork. When I want a particular turkshead, braid or knot, for a project, I go to my library, find it and experiment until it comes out just right. That is the way I was taught many years ago and I believe it has stood me in good stead. Two of my mentors had very different teaching methods. One would walk over and cut the knot or braid if it was not correct. The other stressed the need to always go to the book, because there was too much to memorize. But - different strokes for different folks.

Sorry, can't help you with your question. But I did want to mention how very cool your avatar is.

>Personally I use an awl for all hand sewing, but if you like the use of the round hole punches, here's a trick for you. when you mark your hole locations, align the edge of the punch to the mark, instead of trying to center it on the mark. Once you cover it up, you can't see it and you'll never get perfectly aligned holes. If I could only find a stick, I'd whup myself over the head with it !!! There are times I would like to use small holes, but I don't because of the alignment problem. Not anymore !!!! Thanks for that trick.

Thank y'all.

I second that. And add pictorials (for me), diagrams (not for me). I've always just kept trying until I got it right. "Practice Makes Perfect" for those of us that don't "get it"

What is the best way (what do you use) to apply Resolene so it doesn't streak. I've been using the daubers but I don't want to use the rabbit fur unless that's the only way. Tks

Here's a standard key fob with a couple of turks heads and 2-loop edge braiding. The small turks head is a 3/5 and the flat one is a 5/4, tied loosely in hand and then flipped flat and glued to the fob. The knots are tied using round leather lace. I hope to move on to bigger and better projects, highlighting both leatherwork and fancy ropework. Not sure whether I'll use nothing but leather, or a combination of different types of rope. Only time will tell.

Personally, I like to have as much resource material as I can sitting on the shelf. Any of Grant's books are good to have, as well as David Morgan and Ron Edwards' books. I have most of them and I refer to them on a regular basis.

Welcome Essential, or darn close to it: An edger, needles, thread or sinew, rivets, rivet setters. Stitching awl. overstitch wheel. Instead of getting into cutting your own straps right away, just buy straps from Zack White or another of our sponsors. For now, instead of investing in a top-o-the-line burnisher and gum trag, I would recommend spit and a piece of denim or canvas to burnish edges. Book: The Art of Hand Sewing Leather by Al Stohlman, available at Tandy And by all means, do not be afraid to ask questions.

Has anyone had any success with this method, following his CD? I've tried so many times and the results are garbage. Contrary to what he says, the color does rub off and I've even rubbed so lightly as to just about tickle the leather. I've taken my copies to the printing company on a jump or flash drive and tried two different printing companies, just in case one of them were using an inferior toner. I've got some projects in mind, but before I put this in the junk heap, I'd like to get some other opinions. Tks

Proud of ya!

Definitely not a techie, but I need something small that I can keep on my bench or worktable, to view templates, patterns, tutorials and this forum. There's something out there that's smaller than a laptop and I don't know what it's called. I don't need a "knock 'em daid" system. It would be used for leatherwork only. I've got a desktop (obviously) but it's terribly inconvenient, if at all possible, to put down what I'm doing and come over to the desktop and hunt for help. Any thoughts or ideas? Is anyone using one of these thingies? Tks