Brokenolmarine

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind when I place my first order. Most of my leather work follows the same pattern... Holsters, belts, sheaths...

I have done a lot of research on the various techniques for dying, staining, painting, and the treatments such as antiquing and finishes over the last five years. I have blown some nice work with poor finishes in the beginning... But learned valuable lessons from it. You just keep moving forward... and practice and more practice. Before I apply a finish these days, especially on a larger project with a lot of time invested, I use an off cut of the leather I use on a project to test the stain and finish I'm going to use.

I have, but there wasn't room in this design on this width belt as it distorted the groove accent on the edge on the test piece so I did without it. I liked the effect that was created by the stamp along the boarder in this case anyway. On a wider pattern, a holster or 3" gunbelt, I have a favorite border tool I use. A couple in fact. I keep a bunch of offcuts in an old canister on the back of the bench to try various layouts before I start on the belts.

Thanks guys... I have worked hard to improve, and had decent results with my craft, but have been told several times that my burnishing and depth issues were more a function of the tandy leather than MY failures. I have purchased a decent amount of leather tools from Tandy, Weaver, and Springfield... and was about to order some HO leather from Weaver, but the wife wanted to surprise me with a better quality SET of bevelers from Weaver and paid for Priority shipping. Took ten days for the order to arrive. NOT Weaver's fault, the tracking showed they got the order out the same day. USPS took their sweet time. I'll check the other resources you guys mentioned. I plan to order some quality leather in the next month. I have a good supply of leather still, but when I do belts and Gunbelts, or tooled sheaths in the future, I'd like to start the project knowing the tooling will have a fair shot. LOL. I just finished this belt for my daughter, and the tooling turned out pretty nice, but as you can see, the depth could have been better, and the leather had some spots and defects I didn't see until I applied the finishes. She won't complain... she uses the things I make for her. Knives, sheaths, holsters... she is a farm girl, runs a boarding barn. Works it herself. The other belts I made and the gunbelt all would have benefitted from better leather I think.

I have been working and practicing now for several years and the quality of my work has gotten increasingly better, as it should. In any hobby, if you work at it, you'll improve. I keep reading about Hermann Oak Leather being THE leather to use for the best tooling results, and THE leather for Holsters, Belts, Sheaths and the like. I like the results of many of my projects but feel my tooling isn't as deep or as sharp as I think it "Could" be. I read that some of the root cause might be lesser quality leather. Tandy vs. Hermann Oak. Input? What say the peanut gallery? Those with experience using both? If Hermann Oak is a better leather, anyone recommend a really fair source. I know it will be a higher cost... I see several sources offering the leather. Who is recommended based on price, customer service, and consistent quality? Thanks.

I really like it. Our Pastor in Hawaii had a custom tooled cover for his personal bible. It was very worn around the edges. Protected his bible, but showed it got a lot of use. His cover had been a gift from a saddle maker in his previous congregation.

That's awesome. If you can't find, or afford, what you need, make it. Someone did. Great find... I'll bet the person made a LOT of things with those and loved them.

Looks good. When you have a limited edition knife, you can go with a limited edition sheath.

Nice clean work. I can see where it would sell well. I have a few buck knives still, including a collectable issued by the Fish and Game when I worked for them. I gave a few of them to the kids as they moved away and might need one to keep in the car or whatever.

I made a couple 22 ammo pouches to dump loose 22 ammo in for walk around plinking with the rifle or handguns. The first was a belt mounted pouch, and the second was to be clipped on a cross chest or shoulder strap. Both would hold about 100 rounds or so easily. It was a challenge, I had to learn the box stitch and the design was my own, so the first one had some glitches to work out. I enjoyed the process as much as the finished pouch.

I personally finish the underside of all floorboards before I put them down in the rooms I install them in. I know, I know, you can't see the underside, but "I" know what's there. I also tend to sand the inside of boxes to a glass like finish before I cover them with velvet... But it's just me. Nah, jk. I make knives, and you do roughen the tang under the scales to insure a better adhesion of the epoxy, you also rough up the underside of the scales.

I have a Cobra 3200 I am trying to learn, but it's slow going since I don't sew that many large tasks and still do a lot by hand. I will make more Gunbelts in the future, but won't go with high round counts unless I make one on request and they specifically overrule my recommendations. Not likely since I don't normally make gear for anyone but friends and family... I don't normally sell my work... just makes life easier.

Nice work. Have you tried the belt on with both guns and all the loops filled? I was shocked at how much my belt weighed with 18 rounds, 4-1/2 inch Uberti 357 Birdshead, and the stag skinner. . I'm thinking my next will be the holster, sheath, and two six round loops.

The Sun did it's job and the melt off finally occurred. UPS arrived today and Edge Kote in hand I headed to the shop and worked the edge kote around all the edges. Holster, sheath, and of course the gun belt itself. Once that dried, I re-burnished all the edges to a high sheen. I am pleased with the black accent. I call this one done!

Thanks, choosing a knife was an issue for me as well. Choosing... My wife told me to slow down on the knife making... She was kidding. SHE is knee deep in Quilts. Hopefully all the orders will arrive today, the snow has melted away.