Reason to appreciate the group we have here...

[Rayban]

I'm wanting to make a sap and slapjack for someone who collects them.

I found a web site of a person who makes them as well as other leather items. I can see that he tries to make a living off his leather item sales, but compared to the talent on this forum, I would say his work is ave.......at best.

Anyway, I can see that making a sap is not very difficult, in fact, they look pretty darn easy...I'm just looking for some basic do's and don'ts about them.

I emailed him to ask if he would walk me through the process of making one, his reply to me was....."buy mine and resell it"

Now, I'm sure I deserve that for something I've done in the past....or maybe as recently as last night.....but it got me to thinking of the contrast of that reply, and the sharing of information and the generosity I see on this forum.

[K-Man]

I had a similar experience to yours when trying to put together a mechanic's belt. All I needed at the time was the two-prong "buckle" piece. I found a place on line who made the belts, called the guy, and asked for a source for the buckle. His response was, "I've got nearly 5,000 of them." I asked if he would sell me a few. His response, "Buy the belt and cut them out." Typical response I sometimes come across. So I bought a mechanic's belt, found a machinist local to me, and had him make me up a bunch of them. So if any of you need a mechanic's belt buckle, I've got a few.

[Rayban]

What they look like? Picture please?

[K-Man]

They're a two-prong piece that's inserted between the leather. I'll try and get a picture of them posted tomorrow.

[Johanna]

90% of the time when I call or write to someone and ask if we can have permission to use something of theirs here, they say "Yes!" and are tickled to be asked, and that other people noticed that they are trying to do the best work they can. Collectively, there are hundreds of years of leatherworking experience here. People take the time out of their busy day to answer questions and exchange ideas. Some folks will go way out of their way to help someone else. I don't know what kind of magic there is here at LW, but I like it. Whoever sprinkles the fairy dust, thank you!

Johanna

[Go2Tex]

.................. I don't know what kind of magic there is here at LW, but I like it. Whoever sprinkles the fairy dust, thank you!

Johanna

OK, I confess. It's me. .... But from now on, I'm gonna start charging for it! Hey, if Ebay can jack up their fees, why not a magic dust fairy, eh?

[K-Man]

Here's a couple of pics of the "buckle" piece itself, and with it in place (not my belt):

[Greybeard]

now that is intresting

[wildrose]

I have found at most festivals that when I approach other leatherworkers, they are extremely close mouthed about their work and how they accomplish certain effects/pieces. Personally, I do the opposite. When someone asks me how I made something, I'm happy to pull out some tools and demonstrate. In fact, I usually bring some stamps for kids to work with while I'm set up at an event. If we don't educate others, how will the craft continue?

[Johanna]

If we don't educate the public, how are we going to get the prices for our work that we deserve? When I was introduced to Leather Land, I didn't know leather could be tooled, or how to tell leather from vinyl. And I was managing a fabrics and notions store!

Johanna