KillDevilBill

I'm a retired firefighter/Chief. New job is driving a truck for a construction company. I built a center console for my work truck a few years ago. My buddy saw it and challenged me to make a sheath for his custom knife, and so my leatherwork started. I try to keep my projects "old school" traditional styling with carving/tooling as much as possible. Collars, belts, sheaths, holsters and one-off custom pieces seem to be my specialty. Thanks for having me here! IMG_20250130_065640.heic

This is cool! I really like how you blended the dye with red/black. Black cord was the right choice.

I wouldn't say the inside is downright ugly, not at all. It's the inside of a hat, not supposed to be nice. Now the outside? That's b-e-a-utiful! Been making a hat in my mind, never built one with my hands yet. I hope it turns out half as nice as this. Nicely done!

This looks good to me! I absolutely love the little square in the stitching. I'd never get it that symmetrical.

LMAO Don Gonzalez' method has never failed me, IF a big IF I'm given the correct information. Nice save! I think this looks great. Almost intentional. Gonna try and remember this when it happens to me.

That's why I did the welts one piece at a time, so they stayed flat. I also used one side as a guide for ALL the holes, so I didn't end up with a copy of a copy of a copy.

Thanks everyone! I was taught that drilling stitch holes is a no-no and I don't like the way the slanted stitches look, so I'm strictly an awl guy. Think drill press that doesn't spin with an awl in the chuck. I layed out the holes and punched them in the sides first. The center welt piece goes the whole length so that was next. I used the sides as a guide and punched the holes in each welt piece before assembly. To assemble, I glued them in place one at a time. I had a needle in every third hole in the side as a guide. The the other side was last. I didn't realize it, or do it intentionally but my son noticed the top welt resembles wood grain, so I got that as a bonus.

Just finished up an axe sheath for my son-in-law. Probably the last time I sew something that thick, but I had an idea and wanted to see if it would work. It did, but my fingers are sore. Lol