Fraulein

Hi Gosut, Just a thought about the neatsfoot not darkening your project, I think it depends on the type of leather you are using. I always use imported veg tan and never had any success darkening my projects with oil, so I stick with just dyeing. But I've heard that imported veg won't darken with oil and you have to use hermann oak or something similar to get it to darken with just oil. I've always had really good results with the fiebings pro dye, never needed a second coat so I hope it works as well for you Please post pics of your project when it's done! ~Frau~

I dye the whole thing, then paint over that, I like to use several thin coats to get a good color, then seal. ~Frau~

Beautiful work! Wish I could tool like that. Can't wait to see the interior finished ~Frau~

Looks awesome! Good clean work Would love to see more pics of the belt ~Frau~

Fantastic work! Love that stamping pattern! Is that one of those Sergey neskrominy stamps? (Apologies if I misspelled that horribly) ~Frau~

I use fiebings leather balm with atom wax on all my stuff and I really like it. Here's an example of the kind of sheen it gives me. Hope this helps! ~Frau~

Woah that's amazing! Thanks for sharing! ~Frau~

@327fed , @toxo , @JLSleather thank you so much for all the info! Appreciate everybody's help and advice! ~Frau~

Thanks! Think it was more important to him for it to look like the old one than to be highly functional as he's mostly keeping it around for show. So the rivets worked out alright for this project, but I'll keep 'em off my future sheaths. Thanks for the info about the rivets! Think I'll stick with welts to keep the stitching safe. Thanks! This was my first buckstitching project and I really like it a lot more than I thought I would. Definitely try it out when you get a chance!

Thanks! Looking to invest in something for large stamps, but there's so many options out there, want to investigate before I spend that kind of money. Thanks for the stamp resource too! ~Frau~

Thank you so much! It's so hard to find info out there for embossing leather with a press like that. ~Frau~

I was looking into the hydraulic presses too. Did you have to do any modifications or add anything to it to make it work for stamping leather? Thanks!

Thanks @bladegrinder! Once again excellent work!

Thanks! That stamp came with a cheap leatherwork beginners set off Amazon when I first started. Probably the same as the 20 kits you're referring to. Been using it for 3 years or so. I know it's not a great quality stamp but I'm impressed with how well it's been doing.

@Dwight thanks for the tip! Never thought about that but definitely see the logic in it and I'll keep that in mind for future work. @chuck123wapati good catch, thanks! Never would've noticed that little detail. ~Frau~

Customer wanted a new sheath for his dad's old knife. Told me to make it as close to the old one as I could. Wasn't sure about the rivets on top of the buckstitching but I kinda like the look now that it's done. Think it turned out pretty good. Critiques and advice always welcome! ~Frau~

I use one of those old fashioned cordless irons from the 40's lol. Picked it up at some auction for less than a buck. Dunno if it's an option for you but thought I'd share lol ~Frau~

@Rubicon04 If you don't mind my asking, what do you use to emboss those large designs? And where did you get the stamp made?

Love that two tone look. Excellent work! Finish seems really high gloss, wondering how you got that effect. Is that just from airbrushing the resolene? Also, is the bottom closed or open? Curious how you did it as I struggle with how to close off the bottom on pancake holsters and usually end up leaving it open for lack of a better method. ~Frau~

Thanks for the input guys! Was hoping I could do it with a cheap little arbor press but clearly gonna need something more for a stamp that big after hearing your input. Found a clicker press on Amazon under $300 that won't break the bank so I think I'll try that for my coaster project. Thanks again! ~Frau~

Thanks for all the compliments everyone! I'll definitely have to try that with the D ring attachments, thanks for the suggestion @RockyAussie! Also, agree about the handle attachment @Tugadude, aesthetically not my favorite, but I do like how they stay up so it's easier to grab. That stamping on the back pocket is one of my favorite designs. I put it on everything; belts, wallets, notebook covers, you name it. ~Frau~

After almost three years of leather working my biggest project to date, purse for my Grandma. Made to her design specifications with a front pocket for phone, back pockets for keys and a small notebook, detachable shoulder strap, and zipper. Added her initial to the front pocket to give it a personal detail. I used a 4-5 oz. veg dyed light brown with dark brown antique. Will probably stick to chrome tan for purses from now on as that is a LOT of dye work. Pretty happy with it but always welcome critiques and advice! Black fabric lining with pockets sewn on the sides ~Frau~

Woah that's seriously one of the most stunning pieces I've seen! Bravo Curious, where do you get your rattlesnake skins?

I've heard of people using 1-ton arbor press from harbor freight to stamp leather. Wondering if anybody here has experience doing bigger stamps with it. I'm looking at getting ~3.5" x 3.5" delrin stamp to do coasters, but not sure of the best way to get a good impression with something that size. Thanks for any advice! ~Frau~