Mablung

The first request you will get is for pictures of your current equipment to get a sense of shape, size, etc. You will likely need a fairly thin, supple leather and the ability to shape it around a form with padding. Probably a thin chrome tan cowhide, or more likely sheepskin or something with a similarly soft temper. Sheepskin stretches a fair amount, I discovered upon first trying to use it, but that just means it’ll require a little practice to work with.

Greetings and welcome. You can ask all sorts of questions and get helpful answers here. There are some things specific to firefighters that others have made, like radio straps, that showcase some neat work. Looking forward to seeing yours!

I’ve got that in mind for the right piece, too. I like the symbol.

Did you cut those pieces or use a kit? Either way, that looks fabulous. Excellent work! As to the snap, I can’t quite tell how tall it is, but most of your bulk comes from the thickness of the layered card pockets, I wager (my personal wallet looks similar). You may be able to reduce the bulk by skiving the edges, and/or reducing the number of pockets inside, and thus the number of overall layers. To hide the female portion in the snap would likely require a different style of snap altogether (that one looks like a line 20 snap). KAM Snap has been recommended on here and appears to be very low-profile, although I haven’t had occasion to use its products personally. I think @fredk can tell you more.

Snazzy. I like it, including the appropriately-Viking name. One of my friends at the local Tandy has a love affair with all things Viking, so he would like that.

I like the Celtic designs and runes. Did you stamp the designs and letters, or did you carve them? What is the item, exactly?

Agreed. Mine remains firmly squished in my front pocket most of the time, and I’d rather it stay closed and smooth easily than smooth when open.

Welcome! Hope to see some shoemaking posts from you as well.

I haven't used the hair blade tool of any sort, but I will say that one of my pals at the local Tandy store doesn't care for the newer version of the hair blade tool. His complaint is that it's not as sharp as a previous version, requiring more pressure to get an impression but without removing some of the very top grain like he wanted in order to make the effect more pronounced. Just figured I'd throw that out there.

immiketoo gave you the solution. Last piece I lined flat got wrinkled as well. I haven’t had the patience lately to try to line stuff on the curve and have just accepted I’ll have some wrinkling.

Did you glue the lining with both pieces flat, or on the curve?

My first thought was, "Ooh! I like it!" Excellent work. Few more pics of the ends and the strap and handle designs?

Thanks! And good idea on bringing the stitching to a point---I attempted to make the end stitching curved to avoid some of those stressors, but didn't quite succeed. A point would be better than a curve anyway. My dog isn't too bad about pulling, now that I no longer walk her with a harness but with what is essentially a head halter for dogs; much smoother walks now. She's a fairly lightweight Siberian Husky/German Shepherd mix, so I don't have the enormous weight of a Newfoundland or similar animal to deal with.

Thanks! Yeah, just gotta find the time to make it. Got a lot of projects in mind, but also a lot of pressure at work right now. That braid looks very neat. How do you do it? Haven't gotten into braiding yet.

Fun fact, SB Foot is a subsidiary of Red Wing Shoes and Boots. The tannery produces fantastic leather, including their second-run utility sides. I've gone through a couple of those for a whole variety of uses.

The business certainly has an attention-demanding name.

The very light edges suggest it’s not bridle, at least based on the bridle I’ve seen photographed on here. I’d guess it’s a tough chrome tan, or a dyed veg tan that didn’t sit in the dye for very long. Latigo is a similar color but looks more waxy and is struck all the way through.

Gotta be careful stretching a frog skin—might ribbit in half.

For the tech people out there. Due to an unfortunate incident involving the collision of my laptop keyboard with neatsfoot oil, I have to replace my 2020 M1 MacBook Air. Trying to figure out if it makes sense for longevity to get an M3 Air over an M2. I don’t need to be able to lift heavy processing loads, as I don’t do video or photo editing or similarly processor-hungry tasks. Thoughts?

The blade itself is 10” long? I don’t think you’ll be sitting down with it IWB, whether at appendix position or at your side. At least not without the whole sheath riding up out of your pants. I would have enough trouble with my Glock 34-length pistol, let alone a 10”-blade knife.

Now I’m imagining the OP sitting down while carrying Crocodile Dundee’s knife IWB.

Fielder’s choice. Really just depends on whether you care deeply about keeping the finish of the blade pristine and unscratched. I assume you’re relying on friction for retention? As long as it’s molded properly and the welt is sized properly, flesh versus grain probably won’t make a big difference. It’ll be easier to cement the lining flesh side to flesh side.

@sharonsimpleshoemaker, I echo @Aven’s thanks. I’m wearing a pair of chukkas (or “vellies,” as you call them) that I made from one of your patterns I modified for my hogstomper men’s feet. I have great plans for better versions and other forms of shoes, too, using the foundation you give in that excellent little book. So, thanks from another happy user.

Far better than a nylon, that’s for dang sure. Nice and clean.

I’ve been eyeing those Jueschke ones. May have to pull the trigger on one, if I decide to go for the tapered head.