A few more Sheridan practice photos

[Chuck]

Here are a few more practice pieces for your amusement and Critique. The miniature saddle fender is fender pattern I will be using , but still fine tuning the Sheridan tooling.

[Tina]

I got to get me one of them rope tools:-)

Really nice, me like.

[Chuck]

Here are a few more practice pieces for your amusement and Critique. The miniature saddle fender is fender pattern I will be using , but still fine tuning the Sheridan tooling.

Tina, its a 959 Leather Factory rope stamp. I use a Barry King concave checkered beveler on both edges, fits perfect. Chuck

[David]

Wow,

That is beautiful Sheridan tooling....and that is for practice? That would be difficult at 5 times the size.

Wonderful stuff.

I love it

Dave Theobald

[Chuck]

Wow,

That is beautiful Sheridan tooling....and that is for practice? That would be difficult at 5 times the size.

Wonderful stuff.

I love it

Dave Theobald

Thanks Dave, As an old wood carver I knew that the small size would present some problems, but with my goal being what it is I had no choice. I know every piece I tool I learn something. Chuck

[freak]

smolly freak holllies THAT'S PRACTICE !!?? I can't wait to see the real thing. That's outstanding Chuck !

[Chuck]

smolly freak holllies THAT'S PRACTICE !!?? I can't wait to see the real thing. That's outstanding Chuck !

Thanks for the comments. I draw up at least two to three Sheridan patterns a week and try to tool all of them. I make up shapes that have all types of edges and fill with Sheridan tooling, drawing the patterns has taught me a lot about that style of tooling. I really enjoy looking at other peoples beautiful tooling and leather work, I study them and try to learn. Chuck

[Beaverslayer]

Chuck, if that's just practice, can we see your real carvings? That's beautiful and for so small. Did you use Leather Glow to color it?

Ken

[Tina]

I just saw that I had that one on my wish list:-)

I must say again, Impressive tooling...

[Chuck]

Chuck, if that's just practice, can we see your real carvings? That's beautiful and for so small. Did you use Leather Glow to color it?

Ken

Ken, This was stained using about 2 parts Tandy Antique tan, 1 part mahagany antique stain mixed with about 2 parts TanKote. Put on liberally with a piece of sheepskin and wiped off quickly with a damp paper towel till you get about the color and shading you want. Let dry and put another coat of Tan Kote. Dries fast, just remember if you try it remove first coat quickly. Chuck

[indypbear]

Chuck,

Now that has been said my suggestion (if you wnat them) is take a leaf and flower design on scrap and work on the "thumb print" on the flower and leaf and undercut beveler in the loops of each to lift them more. The thumb print can be restruck once with the round heel only tipping it to deepen the impressions and they will jump off of the piece. The pattern flow is good as is the background. Keep the background depth as consistant as possible. Strop your swivel knife alot during the decorative cuts and they will be smoother in time.

I hope that is constructive and not hurtful. You're are doing a great job. Keep up the work. You'll rival Chan Geer soon.

Happy Toolin'.

Indy

[Chuck]

Chuck,

Now that has been said my suggestion (if you wnat them) is take a leaf and flower design on scrap and work on the "thumb print" on the flower and leaf and undercut beveler in the loops of each to lift them more. The thumb print can be restruck once with the round heel only tipping it to deepen the impressions and they will jump off of the piece. The pattern flow is good as is the background. Keep the background depth as consistant as possible. Strop your swivel knife alot during the decorative cuts and they will be smoother in time.

I hope that is constructive and not hurtful. You're are doing a great job. Keep up the work. You'll rival Chan Geer soon.

Happy Toolin'.

Indy

Indy Thanks for the tips, This piece of leather was only about 3 or 4 onces and a little thin to get too heavy with the undercut bevelers which I used first. I thought about going back and using them afterbeveling but on a scrap piece I was cutting through the leather. I agree that my finish cuts need improvement, and I am working on that. I will try for deeper thumbprints. Again thanks for the tips. Chuck

[indypbear]

Indy Thanks for the tips, This piece of leather was only about 3 or 4 onces and a little thin to get too heavy with the undercut bevelers which I used first. I thought about going back and using them afterbeveling but on a scrap piece I was cutting through the leather. I agree that my finish cuts need improvement, and I am working on that. I will try for deeper thumbprints. Again thanks for the tips. Chuck

Chuck, just strike it in and then tip it back to the heel and strike it again. See what that will do. In regards to the undercut bevelers 3-4 oz is the thinest that I would go using slick artboard or shelfpaper and lift gently when you undercut it. It lifts even that thin of piece. You'll surprise yourself with the results.

Indy

[gtwister09]

Chuck, just strike it in and then tip it back to the heel and strike it again. See what that will do. In regards to the undercut bevelers 3-4 oz is the thinest that I would go using slick artboard or shelfpaper and lift gently when you undercut it. It lifts even that thin of piece. You'll surprise yourself with the results.

Indy

Chuck,

I agree about the artboard. It will surprise you. The artboard will give you some more depth on the beveling and background. I would also consider smaller mule feet, backgrounding and definitely smaller veiners. I'm not sure that I would have chosen a checkered shader for the flowers but that is a preference. However, I would also thin the width of these shaders down as well (especially for the flowers). Study the width of actual Sheridan shaders and you will see that they are thinner. Others have already discussed the decorative cuts. On decorative cuts try not to cut across or into the flower center.

Now the rope....that combination looks pretty good. I have a beveler modified to do that but it's great to know that Barry has one that comes fit to order (less work that way).

Keep up the work! Smaller designs always present their own set of problems as you already stated and know.

Regards,

Ben

[David]

Chuck,

I know you told us in a previous post, what is the scale of these saddles? and also how many of them have you done already?

Dave

[Chuck]

Chuck, just strike it in and then tip it back to the heel and strike it again. See what that will do. In regards to the undercut bevelers 3-4 oz is the thinest that I would go using slick artboard or shelfpaper and lift gently when you undercut it. It lifts even that thin of piece. You'll surprise yourself with the results.

Indy

The artboard is new to me will sure give it a try. I generally use around 8oz leather for the fenders and somewhat lighter for the rear jockeys and etc, this was just to see if I could get depth on the light leather. I will also try the two hit method with the tilt. Thanks Chuck

[Chuck]

Chuck,

I agree about the artboard. It will surprise you. The artboard will give you some more depth on the beveling and background. I would also consider smaller mule feet, backgrounding and definitely smaller veiners. I'm not sure that I would have chosen a checkered shader for the flowers but that is a preference. However, I would also thin the width of these shaders down as well (especially for the flowers). Study the width of actual Sheridan shaders and you will see that they are thinner. Others have already discussed the decorative cuts. On decorative cuts try not to cut across or into the flower center.

Now the rope....that combination looks pretty good. I have a beveler modified to do that but it's great to know that Barry has one that comes fit to order (less work that way).

Keep up the work! Smaller designs always present their own set of problems as you already stated and know.

Regards,

Ben

Ben, Since I did that fender I received a #0 and a #1 vertical lined thumbprint from Barry and I am using them ( take a look at the flowers in my other post of the checkbook cover), I also have the smaller of Barry's continues left and right curve mulefeet coming as I certinally agree with you about the size of the imprints. Will Keep working at it, Thanks for the Help. Chuck

[Chuck]

Chuck,

I know you told us in a previous post, what is the scale of these saddles? and also how many of them have you done already?

Dave

Dave the scale is 1/2, the saddle s measure about 14 inches long. I have one that is basket stamped that I made to adjust my patterns, I am tearing it back down to learn from. Chuck

[gtwister09]

Ben, Since I did that fender I received a #0 and a #1 vertical lined thumbprint from Barry and I am using them ( take a look at the flowers in my other post of the checkbook cover), I also have the smaller of Barry's continues left and right curve mulefeet coming as I certinally agree with you about the size of the imprints. Will Keep working at it, Thanks for the Help. Chuck

Chuck,

Cool on the tools. As always the right tool for the right job.

Regards,

Ben