Skulls & Roses On A Western Rig?

[Josh Ashman]

It's what they wanted so I gave it my best shot. 8 oz with a 4 oz liner on the main belt and billet, 8 oz for the buckle chape, 4 oz on the loops and 8 oz with a 6 oz liner for the hoster, all HO. Finished with a coat of NF oil then Fiebings liquid acrylic antique washed off pretty heavily, a light coat of M&G cut 50/50 with water and then wiped down with glycerin saddle soap to make it feel and smell like gunleather instead of a clean floor.

It's built for a 3-1/2" Cimarron Thunderer but it has my 5-1/2" SAA in it for the pictures.

Thanks for looking, Josh

[Dwight]

That's some good work, Josh, . . .

Do you suppose word will get around and your next job will be a full Sheridan floral for a set of saddlebags on a Harley?

May God bless,

Dwight

[Treed]

Once again great job....

[Josh Ashman]

Thanks Dwight & Bobby!

Floral bags for a Harley would be a cool project...

[Haystacker]

I think you could make anything look great on a rig. I'm not into skulls and such but you sure made a great looking rig.

[St8LineGunsmith]

there was the hand of God rig now there is a reaper rig

not my taste but hey whatever the customer likes and you pulled it off well

[Josh Ashman]

Thanks Haystacker and St8line. I agree with the skulls, I'm not really into them and I wouldn't be sad if they were the first and last I tried to carve, although I was happy enough with how they turned out. I do plan on using those roses again though, they weren't too bad to carve and I really liked how they turned out.

Best regards, Josh

[WyomingSlick]

Hmmmm........"Flowers for the Dead" seems like an appropriate theme for a gunbelt to me. And that is a crackerjack job of it !

[Cobra Steve]

Josh, Very nice! Steve

[Josh Ashman]

Thanks WyomingSlick & Cobra Steve.

FYI - all sewn on my Cobra Class 4! It's my first machine and I've only had it since October so I'm still getting used to it but it sure does a nice job!

[camano ridge]

Josh, nice job. Again I am also one that does not get excited about skulls however i really like the look of this rig.

Edited February 14, 2014 by camano ridge

[4wheeler4]

Josh, again I am amazed at the quality of your work. Thank you for posting it. I like the theme of the skulls and roses...it is different.

[jackd942]

Great job Josh!

[Josh Ashman]

Thanks Jack, 4Wheeler and Camano! I'm glad you like it, it should deliver today, hopefully the folks that ordered it like it as well!

Best regards, Josh

[Eaglestroker]

Josh, that's very different but you pulled if off well as expected. I haven't seen you do man stitched belts but it looks very nice! Is that white thread with antique over it?

[Josh Ashman]

Thanks Robert, having the Cobra made a big difference on my replies to lined belts! I'd do them by hand, but I really tried not to. With the machine it isn't that big of a deal. I've definitely been doing more of them.

That is white thread but I sewed it after the antique had already been applied. The M&G and saddle soap lifted the dye a little and muddied up the stitching but the result was good, if it weren't for that the white may have been a little "loud".

Best regards, Josh

[Frank]

Nice job Josh

[doubleh]

I'm another that isn't much interested in skulls but that looks good. One of my grandsons hit me up recently to make him a pants belt with skulls and roses. He's got a degree in graphic arts and is really good with pencil drawings so I made him a deal. He draws the pattern he wants and I'll tool a belt using his pattern. I don't do very well drawing anymore as my hands shake too bad to get much done except erasing and cussing so I won't have the frustration of trying to produce a decent pattern.

[Josh Ashman]

Thanks Frank and doubleh!

Getting a good pattern is one of the hardest parts for me too.

[grumpyold]

I'm a big fan of traditional work, it's always nice when done well, but designs out side the box get my attention and always stand out.