Billy P

That is some wild stuff, very beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Billy P

Ryan, Mr. Shoup will be much in mine and my families prayers and thoughts. I will also have him put on the prayer list at 2 churches that I attend, semi regularly anyway. If you send his address I'll try and send him a card also, if you think it would be alright. With Warmest Regards Billy P

Now that's one badd ass knife sheath. I really like your imagination and what you are doing with it. Very Nice, Billy P

Hey there Outcast, my friend told me that it is a solo seat. He said the guy wanted lettering in the back where it has the roll from the back edge down towards the front of the seat. Around the little rise at the back that keeps you from sliding back. That's about all the info I have right now as I haven't seen the seat yet myself. Was told that it is a brand new seat that has now even been riden on, he just wants it recovered with a custom cover. Thanks Billy P P.S. I'm sending another sample of some of my past work.

Hi everybody, a buddy called today and asked me about doing a custom seat for a Harley Sportster that someone is restoring. He said the man wants some custom tooled lettering and he doesn't know what else. I can figure the materials and I can figure how much time for most of it, but I've not done a seat like this before and he also wants it laced. I'm not real fast or real slow at lacing just halffast I guess. I don't want to charge him time for my slowness, but I also don't want to cheat myself. I need help on deciding what might be a fair starting price and them we can go from there. Beezer, Dave, Leathernut, and all you other seat makers, I'd sure appreciate some help on this. So thanks for any and all advice in advance, Billy P P.S. I'm going to try an attach a sample of some of my carving as this may help you all know a little of what I do.

Jim, the candle lights are awesome. I'm gonna have to try them, as Halloween is my daughter's favorite holiday. Johanna the kids lood really good in their makeup and mom's looking good herself. Later Billy P

I'm like the rest, if it cuts as good as it looks it does a good job. If it were mine I'd use it until we both hurt and then use it some more. Hurt me MaMa!!!!! Ye Hah Billy P

Hi everybody, I need to ask for some help. Yesterday, Friday the 19th I ran up witha lady that I had made a wallet for her husband and a belt for her son about 20 or so years ago. She asked me if I was still working with leather any and I told her yep I'm trying too. Well her new husband is a Harley Rider and he recently ordered a tank bib from somewhere and they sent him too small, at least that is what she said. Anyway she asked me if I could make him a custom one and I sold her with all the help on this forum that I'm sure I could. I know that I can get instructional help with making the thing, but I am really in need about how to price the thing. I know that a lot is dependant on what he wants on it, and I can price the tooling or whatever, but the assembling and stuff is what I wonder about. Thanks in advance and I sure do anticipate and appreciate any and all advice on this. With Kindest Regards Billy P

I think that I may have given the wrong impression as to how I feel about the more expensive tools. I basically think that they are well worth the money. Even my Hidecrafters Pro series are a lot different than the Crafttools. My Hidecrafters tools, even though they only cost 10 to 15 each make a really good impression. I was just saying that if you try to tell a beginner that they need to spend 5 or 6 hundred dollars on a basic 7 set of tools that is going to be a fast turnoff. If they learn to use the cheaper tools in the right way, then when they are able to up grade, they can tell the difference even if a recipient of there work can't. Robert the analogy about the hammer and nail gun was just that. I too had rather use the nail gun, but a person looking at a new roof on his house can't tell if the shingles are nailed down with a hammer one at a time of if they are shot in with the nail gun, ratatattat. I have been seeing the comments about Hidecrafters and the new owners, and am wondering if they will still carry the Pro series tools or not and one other thing wondering if they will still let guild members get the wholesale discount as they did before. Until later with kindest regards Billy P

To add to what Alex and the others said, almost all of my carving tools are crafttools except a few Hidecrafters Pro series I bought in the last year to year and a half. As far as the Hidecrafters tools go, don't know if we'll be able to get them anymore. It's been my observation that when a company is bought out that if it is going to be continued, that the new owners want to keep on rolling. When Tandy got involved with Mid Continent, they didn't miss very many if any strokes in the business. I wish that I was better at carving and leather work in every other part too, but as it is I just do what I can because I love it. I've been working at it on and off since about 74 and have never had anybody wonder about the tools I use. I'm sure that with some tools that they will make some difference in the look as well as being easier to use. When most people move into there homes they don't know if the nails were driven in with a $5 hammer or a air powered nail gun, same with leather they ain't gonna know if I beveled a line with my old .95 B701 from Tandy or a $65 or $125 Bob Beard beveler. Plus they don't care as long as it looks good to them. While it's a given that the quality of the BB, Barry King, Hackbarth, etc is better the people that buy what little I sell won't know the difference. I hope that with as many people that know what they are talking about telling TLF and any other supplier of leather tools about the quality of some of the stuff that they will improve, but everything takes time. I think that one thing we can do is talk to the Tandy managers, email Jim Linnell, and anyone else that you can think of an let them know how we feel. Like has already been said, a lot more people might be interested in starting in leatherwork in they are informed that for a minimal cost for tools that they can do some neat stuff instead of being told all the time about the 50,60,75, dollars and up per tool that some cost. I'm saying that the better tools are not worth the price, but being real about it they would be a huge expenditure for somebody that might not even know if leatherworking is a hobby/lifestlye they will be doing for the rest of their life. What I wanted to say and get across I've probably handled badly, but I'm trying. I think that a newcomer to leatherwork should try out swivel knives and get the one that feels the best and works the best for them, if it's a 10.95 Tandy or a $175 set from Bob Beard, then so be it. The rest if they can learn to do good pleasing work with Crafttools then if they get the better tools later, only they will probably know the difference. Sorry about being so long winded, but that's the way I feel about the tools. Just about everytime I/we turn around we're hearing that if you want to do really good work you have to spend huge dollars buying so and so's tools, and that is not so. Al Stolhman did better work with pocket knife and filed nails than most peoples work that I've seen using all the other tools. Bye for now and I'm outta here. Billy P

outstandingly nice work, I am in awe of your work. Right now that's all I can say. Billy P

Hey Beezer, nice work as always is from you. I have never used the lifters, but am going to start. You give a lot of incentitive (sp) to try more things. One question, how will the lifted parts hold up to being sat on while riding? Is there a chance that it will flatten out from useing it ? I'm just curious, as it sure is nice. Regards Billy P

To Shirley Z and dsenette, you're both wrong. Just a little left-handed Carolina Bush, LOL. Billy P

I just saw where we have got some new members. One of them has SUMO STEVE as his forum name. That leads me to believe that he may be heavy, like me. Since I became disabled and had to retire back in 2002, and being a lot less active I have gained a lot of weight. I saw one of my old friends from work last week at the Super-Center and he was picking at/on me about gaining the weight. He told me that with all the stomach I have now he doesn't know how I can even see my wanger anymore. My reply to him was I can't see my asshole either, but it still works too. My daddy used to tell me that if you've got good tools, keep them oiled and when not using them keep them under the shed, LOL, he shook his head and just walked off. Now back to trying to pound some dead cow, Love ya'll and until later Billy P

Welcome Shock, being really new the 2 best helps/books I can think of would be Al Stolhman's How To Carve Leather and his book Leather Tools How to Use Them and How to Sharpen Them. The people in this Forum are some of the most KNOWLEDGABLE LEATHER WORKERS IN THE WORLD. You can get help on Motorcycle seats, to coasters for the coffee table, someone can and will help. Again welcome and hang in there, the most important thing to do is PRACTICE,PRACTICE, PRACTICE. that is where skill and confidence will come from. Until Later Billy P

Great work Roger, you just keep getting better and better. I too will be looking forward to a tutorial on doing the bike seats. You gotta a gift doing what you do. Later Billy P

Hi David, Romey, and MatthewD, I too made basically the same thing, but at the time didn't have the tutorial about making it. I did basically the same thing except haven't put a spring on yet. One other thing I did different is being short of leg and big of gut, LOL, since I had to quit working it's growing by leaps and bounds. I made mine about 30 or 32 inches tall, somewhere around that height. I put a piece of 6" decking board on the bottom, and sit on the couch or in a chair and hold it with my feet insead of putting it under my legs. I even took my old Tandy Stitching Pony and modified it similar to that way, as I'm trying to get my wife started lacing and stitching too. I've found the longer version to work better, with easier to hold, get to the tightening nut, and if I take a break, I just move it back and it stays up until I get back. I do believe that later on, I'll change the decking board out for a short maybe 12 to 18" piece of 1x8 or 1x10" board. That would be thinner on the feet and even more stable when I walk off from it. Anyway the info is free and if you can use it go for it. I do hope it helps someone. One more thing is if you don't have time or just don't want to make one yourself, Dale Grabowski of Grandpa's Pasttime.com makes a sit and stitch that he sells. Billy P

Hi everybody, I just wanted to agree with ya'll, that when you tell a lot/most people about leather art, they look at you like you're from another planet. At least around here where I live it's like that. Usually the last weekend in March or the first weekend in April the next town over from me has Spring Fest. As a part of the festival the have craft vendors come in and set up to sale. A big to do is the Fine Arts Show. I entered a piece last year that I had done for my wife for our anniversary, got a 3rd place ribbon. I thought that was pretty good considering I had never entered my work in any kind of contest/show before. This year I took the time to do 2 pieces to enter in the show. One a 11x14 carving of the Harley Davidson shield with a eagle head silhotte (sp). The other was a Deco Plate with a Bald Eagle on an American Flag, all in full color. We, my wife and I went by and picked up my MOM and our grand niece and we all went up to see all the pictures and stuff going on. We got to looking around in the room and couldn't find the Plate, saw the lady over the arts commision and was told that leather is not fine art, but is fine craft, so the covered case for the crafts/free standing stuff was given over to photography, but that they did hang the Harley pic. up because it was different. My wife and I have been together almost 29 years and she knows the time I put in some of these things, so she got pretty mad and said some really ugly words, not just loud but REALLY LOUD. I had the lady go up to her office where she had my plate stuck in a paper bag, get it to me and got Diane out of there before she really got on their tails, LOL, She sure made the old man proud. The worst insult to Leathercraft was that she said if I painted the pictures on art board, instead of carving them, then painting them she would like to put my work in the Gallery for a showing. I don't paint and I can hardly draw a straight line with a ruler, but I can do a decent work with leather, go figure that one out. Like was said until people come to thing of what we as leatherworkers do as art, we're never going to get decent money for our work. Here in really, really small town South Carolina, the best bet to make any money locally is to get into doing motorcycle seats. In the bigger towns within 40 to 50 miles of me, there are probably 12 to 15 shops doing some sort of custom work to motorcycles. Everthing from engine/transmissions to complete custom builds. The surprising thing is they are all busy and cain't keep up with everything. My buddy does upholstry work already and after this weekend/early next week when I get my stuff moved, he and I are going to do a couple of things to display in some of the closer places to us. It might work and it might not, but it's for sure we won't know if we don't try. I'll go ahead and say in advance that I'll sure apppreciate any and all help from the members of the forum. I already know that we have some people who are really great doing motorcycle seats, so guys and girls you know who you are and if you can help and will please do. One last thing, my health has gotten pretty bad in the last couple of years so I may not be able to be as productive as I once was. So when and if the time comes that I cain't keep up I'll let everybody know and anyone interested, I'll put people in touch with ya'll and if you want the job you can have it and welcome to it. Enough from and fart for tonight, must be my meds and a couple shots of APPLE FLAVORED VODKA/with pinapple juice. I know sounds bad, but it taste good to me. Thanks and with Kindest Regards Billy P P.S. I'm going to try and attach a couple of things, one is the Harley Shield for the Show and another is something I did a long time back. Look and give me any and all feedback good or bad, I can take it all, plus I probably need it all. I've sent one of these out on other replys, but now you'll know where and why they are there. Billy P

I did basically the same thing except for a different thing. I'm going to try and attach a picture. Ya'll let me know what you think. Regards Billy P This is for my Henley Swivel Knife that my friend sent me.

Good looking doodles, I like to do motor cycle stuff too. Mostly Harley, but I like them all. Keep it up and keep showing us what you're doing. Billy P

Hey Roger, I take it that the Triumph is your bike. My buddy has an old girder front end like yours on a 1969 900cc XLH Sportster. Another friend is working on about a 64 or 65 Triumph with a springer front end. Your seats are really nice, I have been seeing your work since you joined the IILG a year or so back. At least that is when I first saw your work. You and Duane Ballard both have really made a jump in your work. How was the Smoke-Out this year? I hope/plan on going to the EasyRider show in Charlotte N.C. after the first of the Year 2008 and if nothing don't happen going to the Smoike out next year too. Later and with Regards Billy P

Nice work and welcome to the forum. You'll find some of the nicest, most helpful, informed leather workers in the world here. Again welcome and make yourself at home, we're about like family here. Billy P

Hey Harlan, I know what you mean about being broke, busted, and disgusted. My situation really changed in Oct. of 2002, shen the doctor's made me quit working and I had to go on SS disability. Just about all my tools are older crafttools. I had never even heard of Barry King or Bob Beard until I joined the IILG about 1and 1/2 years ago. I don't have any of their tools and the way it looks I won't be able to get any for quiet a while. Hidecrafters sells a pro series tool that is a little more expensive than Crafttools and they don't offer as many, but they are a decent tool for the money. I have 5 swivel knives and they are all Tandy except 1 which is a Henley that a good friend bought for me and sent it to me from California. I believe that if the cutting is now right/good then the rest of the tools won't make up for a wole lot. Please don't get me wrong, I still use my oldest Tandy knife,which my brother- in- law gave me used in about 1975. I use all of them, but you can tell a marked difference in using the Henley knife and blade over the rest. The Henley turns a lot more freely and the blade stays sharper longer. I also have ceramic blade and an Al Stolhman Brand blade from Tandy. They are both fair, but no where near as good as the Henley blade. I guess my point is that you and do nice, adequate, work with the Craftools and the Tandy/whatever swivel knives, but some tools, especially the better swivel knife will make it easier. Let me say this also, I have worked a lot longer and did a lot more work useing the cheapest Tandy swivel knife and 1/4 angle blade than I'll live long enough to do with the Henley knife or any other tools. I'll try to attach a couple of things I've done in the past. I hope this helps you and doesn't offend anyone else, but I really learned the difference that the better swivel knife can make just recently. I've only had the Henley knife about 7 or 8 months, and really haven't been able to use it much as I'd like too. Later and with kindest regards Billy P I tried to send 2 pictures, but I messed up again somewhere. I'll try and send the second one this way. Billy P

What part of the backwoods were you running around in? Billy P

Hello everybody, it's me it's me it's Billy P. I've been a member for a little while, but being as dumb as a rock about computers. I'm just learning to get around on the forum and post some things. I got interested/started trying leather working back in 1974. Some friends started with me, but they didn't love it like I did so they eventually quit. They both have a pretty good selection of tools, but won't sell em and ain't gonna use, LOL, go figure. I've mostly stayed with it, just sometimes doing more than others. Here in really small town South Carolina most people don't even know what custom leather work is. My home towns population is 345 people as of last census. 2 stores, 1 grill/cafe, no industry. Anyway I'm disabled, on SS, and get rid of just enough stuff to keep me in leather for what few small thngs I make for family and friends. I hope my friend and I will be doing some custom bike seats soon. He does upholstry work and is already covering some seats in gator, ostrich, and doing some stitched flames and such. We are working on it anyway. Most of what little I know is Stolhman books and trial and error. I joined the IILG about 1 and 1/2 years ago and then this forum about a year ago, plus I am a member of FLaSAH too. I am not too good, but I am smart enough to know good when I see it and this group has some really good and knowedgeable leatherworkers in it. I hope I can help someone sometime and I really appreciate any help that anyone will share with me. With what I've learned from this forum, the IILG, and FLaSAH, I've really seen an improvement in my overall work in the last year or so. Until about a year or so back I had never even heard of Bob Beard, Barry King, Don Butler, Mc Millen, Peter Main and a whole bunch of the others. I only knew of Stolhman, Shelton, Baird, Ken Griffen, Paul Burnett, etc. I didn't even know there was even a style of carving called Sheridan Style. I have still never tryed Sheridan carving, but I will if the good Lord's willing. I guess the old fart's rambled enough for one sitting so I'll say so long for now and may God bless each and everyone of ya'll. Please keep sharing and helping each other. Here where I live and I'm sure it's the same everywhere, if we don't help each other and start getting some younger folks interested in leatherworking this art is going to die out. I've don't know for sure, but I've heard the around here they are not even teaching leathercraft to the Scouts or in 4-H anymore. no teacher and no interest. Bye for now and until later Billy P