Tkleather1

OK so here is the deal, I have been using H.O. tooling leather for about 2 years now and I was very happy with it for quite a while, but the past three hides that I have got have been hard as a rock. I have heard a few others on here and Leatherpros talk about this problem as well. I have tried just about everything that I can think of. The first one I thought that maybe my knife was dull so I sharpened it and tried again but to the same problem takes way to much effort to cut 8 oz leather. so then I tried 2 other knives and had the same problems. one of the hides I sent back to weaver and they sent me a different one and this one was a little better. Once I get the patterns I want chiseled out of the hide and case them up they are still hard to carve but color up nice. Well after a lot of this trouble and I get to the center of the hide then I run into a chunk of rawhide, and this has happened on all of the last three hides. So I am thinking about switching to something else and I dont know wich way to go. As you all know I dont do saddles but a lot of chinks and chaps as well as other misc. gear. if any of you could point me in a direction of a quality tooling leather I sure would appreciate it and if its a dealer that does not require a tax number that would be the best. Thanks for dealing with my rant and any info that I receive. Tim Worley TK-Leather

Thanks guys I appreciate the kind words.

Well it is all a matter of what type of terrain you would be riding in and what weather you might encounter.

Thanks to everyone for taking a look and I appreciate all of the input. Tim Worley

I see what you mean. I dont think that will be an issue simply because the cover is a lot bigger than the ;icture shows and the fold is releived. but we will see. Thanks for the pointer though.

You are more than welcome. I learned that one from Bruce Johnson, I do still have some trouble with the dye lifting and becoming muddy when using sheepskin scraps to apply but if I spray my finish on then I have no problems. Thanks for lookin.

I appreciate your response, However I am not sure where the wear area you are concerned with is located. I wasnt real worried about wear on this project as it will probably sit on a coffee table its entire life, I tend to overlook things sometimes thats for sure. As for the the interior it is a single peice of chap leather stretching the full length of the book and then stitched all around the outside and where the three peices of vegtan come together, not a very complex design. Let me know if you have an other questions or concerns because I like to better my craftsmanship wherever I can. Tim Worley TK-Leather

Sharpie marker before I oil, let set for 24 hours, oil let set for 24 hours then spray on the finish. Tim Worley TK-Leather

This is a project that I just finished up the other night. 8/9 oz. H.O. Hand cut lettering Simple quilted background. It is lined with 5 oz. bone chap leather from the hide house and has a 2" three ring binder waiting to be installed. ( Just got em Saturday) Tell me what you all think it is for some friends of ours as a wedding gift. has a real light olive oil finish on it and deft wood laquer finish. Thanks for stoppin in and let me know what you all think and what you would have done different. Tim Worley TK-Leathe

Well a Wade is Not the same as an Association and an association is not the same as a will James. those I do know. An association has large swells and a wade is a slick fork as far as the others I dont have the answers and I am sure that there are other differences as well but I am not a saddle builder, but I ride both a wade and an association.

That looks real nice. I need to inlay my rock too. I am sick of things laying over the edge and hangin up on things. thanks for the motivation.

That is pretty darn cool. I like it a bunch. is it the same price as the wood handled ones? Tim Worley TK-Leather

I agree with both of you. The gal that gets them is already very very excited haha. Thanks for the comments Mark and Bonnie

shoot looks good to me. maybe I need to take a 30 year break.

well sorry it nothing new but here are a simple pair of chinks that just got finished this afternoon. H.O. Yokes and sides and the bodies are a brown oil tan from the hide house. Not a whole lot goin on on these just a simple set. Tell me what you like and what you dont. Tim Worley TK-Leather

You will do just fine. That is a nice lookin Carving!! Would make a cool Tattoo

Well first off thank you. and the fringe is about 3/16 ths to 1/4 inch but on the right leather it doesnt seem to matter what size as far as the twist is concerned.

Thanks Luke. Actually I am gettin pretty quick with the fringe now, it used to take me forever but I can get in a groove now ans smoke through it. The pinking inf all the trim pieces takes forever. I use a 1/4 round punch that I ground in half. That is a lot of scallops. Thanks again. Tim Worley TK-Leather

Well its an old indian tric I learned back in ot 6 while I was with the texas rangers chasin billy the kid accross nevada. I could tell you but it would be giving up a trade secret. haha Just kiddin I just get the fringe nice and wet, then twist em up tight and give it a sharp pull. I have heard of other guys that use a drill, and I have heard of guys that have to tack each one down. Now mind you that this color hide is the only color that I have had any orders to twist fring so other colors and tannages will probably react different. I might do a half twist on the next pair and it is of a different color so we will see fow that goes and I will post my progress. Thanks for lookin and for the nice comments.

Here are the latest out of the shop. Not a whole lot new to talk about but they are bucktan bodies, Blue trim, and H.O. side panels and yokes. The brands tooled into them is the customers request. Square bottom and lots of twisted fringe. Tell me what you all think Thanks for looking Tim Worley TK-Leather

Thats pretty Cool Casey. You did a very nice job.

All the fringe I cut on chinks and chaps I jsut eyeball. and I cut a lot of fringe. It takes a little time to be able to be consistant but you will get it. I am like bonnie I just use a straight edge and my head knife ( I havent had much luck with the rotary knives) Tim TK- Leather