Strap for first project help question

[TomSwede]

One thing I've been nagging alot about here on the board is borders. Very important to know when to use a border and when to not. Most times a border is needed to "hold the composition" of your design together and then there are those times that is the exception that confirms the rule. Some designs work better without a border and I can't tell you much about that, only that I know it when I see one, lol. Also there are times when you incorporate borders into the design, Bob Park aka hidepounder has some excellent work where he does this.

I see you have borders incorporated, maybe they are sewing channels, anyway sewing channels work very good as a border when you use for example a white thread on a black leather. Even with a black thread on black leather it many times serves purpose as a border really well.

I like the design you came up with (it'd be really cool for a belt) and you have allready gotten good pointers about the name going over the shoulder.

Lukes idea sounds very good, I'd try and redraw it and see how it looks.

Tom

[dscott]

Thank you Tom

I worked on a new drawing taking all the suggestions and i redid the chain I think I like this one better all thoughts welcome

David

still may shorten the links i dont know thoughts

DOC012.PDF

DOC012.PDF

Edited July 1, 2009 by dscott

[Luke Hatley]

David, that lookd great.......But what if ?

do a pattern where the chain links are 1/2 to 3/4 of that size.

just a thought.

[dscott]

Thanks Luke

the length or the overall size

David

Edited July 1, 2009 by dscott

[Luke Hatley]

David, the size of the LINKS.........

[dscott]

ok

Again thanks

you guys are so great to help

David

Edited July 1, 2009 by dscott

[TomSwede]

That looks really cool David!

Good suggestions and support from you Luke!!!

Where the links connect you have a small gap. Carving and tooling would be easier if you eliminated that gap also that is how a stretched chain looks like.

Also keep in mind that letters are very hard to carve, the chain is also very similar to the letters to carve. I recommend that you try some with a scrap piece first.

Correct casing is allways important but for letters I am allways extra careful with that. I don't do letters if the leather feels to moist.

I use ceramic angled blades for all my carving nowadays but originally I started using a regular Tandys filigree blade just because of lettering.

Tom

[dscott]

Thanks

i was thinking the same thing i didnt like the little gap either

I know i have a lot of practic to do a lot

David

Edited July 1, 2009 by dscott

[TomSwede]

Thanks

i was thinking the same thing i didnt like the little gap either

I know i have a lot of practic to do a lot

David

Yes you do have alot of practice but it'll pay off in the end. Keep one thing in mind when carving, you should not need to feel like you're forcing the knife through the leather. It should feel like cutting through butter BUT with new blades that hasn't been stropped (polished alot) you may get some drag from the blades (ceramics is well known for this). Some people use a carving solution wich allows the blade to slide easier. Not available in Sweden so never worked with that.

Tom

[dscott]

first thanks to all you guys are great to help a very very nube

Ok next update and i think the best yet i have 2 the links are smaller in one

let me know if i am getting closer

Thanks

David

Drawing3_Model__1_.pdf

Drawing3_Model__1_.pdf

Edited July 1, 2009 by dscott