MarshalWill

Looks mighty usable. Nice job.

Yeah, I strop them and whatnot but when they get down some, I stick a new one in.

True, one can't have too many knives. I have a good selection of them that I've made myself. I do draw the line at making an X-Acto knife, though.

If it works anything like the leather knife I made, you can run a long straight cut or a curve with ease. The advantage being it looks like you could cut quite a bit tighter inside curve. And yes, sharpening should be a breeze. It's a great idea, may have to think about making one similar to it.

I like this one a lot! There would be a lot of different applications for it. I wonder how it would feel with the handle set a little farther onto it. Of course my experience is with stubby handled knives for push cutting. Good job, Chuck.

I have one suggestion for you to consider. If the clamp part can rotate on the cross base, it will allow you to hold the work at any angle you find easiest.

Those are fine holsters. Very nice!

You're getting there. This one is cleaner. Glad to hear the burr worked better for you. A head that was just the size of the letters would be good.

Yeah, the cost is up there. But as you said, after cutting steel for a while you should be able to easily control the rotary tool. So far, I've only made stamps that can be done with files. For complex ones, I go to the pros. It would be fun to make a stamp with a mill, though. You could really get accurate work with one.

Hey, that's an idea. Maybe take a stab at making one out of Delron. It would be a lot easier to cut than steel.

Oh no, I'm not that good. Not even close. I had that made by Jeff at Grey Ghost Graphics. He does spectacular work. It's laser cut out of Delron. I just wanted to illustrate the cut back around it to give you thge idea.

I will remember that. Be sure to post some of those feathers you do once you get one.

I thought about that but I still might want one so I'd better hang onto it.

Man, that's beautiful. You're fortunate to have found such a nice spot to live.

I have one but I've never used it. I bought it one time when I thought I might have a use for it but found out I didn't. So my only experience is that it doesn't take up much drawer space. LOL

That might do you well. It would take some practice but you'd soon find the best way to use one on feathers.

Beautiful work. I'd have a hard time choosing a favorite.

Those look good. I agree with @DieselTech that the feathers and sunflowers should be the most popular.

Don't be hesitant to take much off around it. Here's one I had made but notice how much was relieved around it. It makes it easier to align.

Hey, looks good! You're a stamp maker, now. I see you got a little outline shadowing when you made the impression. Taper it off around the letters and all you'll have left is the logo.

I only use a diamond awl to punch holes but then, I don't have a machine.. In the saddle shop we would use a machine to punch the holes, like @dikman mentioned. It pays to get a good diamond awl. I have several for different jobs but mostly, I use a 38mm Vergez-Blanchard awl. The 38mm is the smallest they offer. The brass collar is narrow and doesn't get in the way when punching close to some hardware or such. Shape the tip and keep it sharp so it penetrates the leather easily. The one on the right is a round awl not used to make holes for stitching but the others are diamond stitch awls. The one on the left is the Vergez-Blanchard. The one next to that is what I use for thicker leather. The other two don't get much use at all.

I always use pliers when I stitch. Often the second needle needs to be pulled through with pliers. Sometimes the first one does, too, depending on how many layers and the type of leather. Make sure you're using the harness needles others have recommended here. Those needles with the wide tips are for stitching canvas and upholstery, not leather.

It's nice to see how they go together. Thanks for that.

The little beggars sure did get to that one. It's good to see a garment like that made usable again.

I'll remember to order a base package if I go for a new machine. thanks for pointing that out. I think we all manage to get some things we don't need when stepping forward. Maybe you can sell the things you find you don't need and recoup some of the initial outlay.