Contributing Member JLSleather Posted November 21, 2016 Contributing Member Report Posted November 21, 2016 12 hours ago, Big Sioux Saddlery said: the new Osborne tools. They're mostly junk. Yep - used to be that Osborne meant good toys. Not so much any more... As for where to get that "old" quality... I wouldn't know. Hit 'n' miss about anywhere really. And can't really take a recommend from around here too seriously either. I bought a set of the J Watt edgers that everyone was going on about. I found them to be "just okay".. they came ready to cut but do not hold an edge at all. And I have weaver slot punches that I'm considering giving away, soon as I find someone I don't particularly like Quote "Observation is 9/10 of the law." IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.
Members Big Sioux Saddlery Posted November 21, 2016 Members Report Posted November 21, 2016 (edited) 2 hours ago, JLSleather said: Yep - used to be that Osborne meant good toys. Not so much any more... As for where to get that "old" quality... I wouldn't know. Hit 'n' miss about anywhere really. And can't really take a recommend from around here too seriously either. I bought a set of the J Watt edgers that everyone was going on about. I found them to be "just okay".. they came ready to cut but do not hold an edge at all. And I have weaver slot punches that I'm considering giving away, soon as I find someone I don't particularly like Pretty much what he said! I scour flea markets and auctions and the internet for good, old tools that aren't crazy high. And I HAVE bought some crazy high just because I wanted them so bad and never seen that particular item before or since. The edgers JLS was talking about. . . yeah. . . don't give them to me! Lol. Even if this new stuff comes nasty sharp, like he said it doesn't hold an edge and they have "drag" Some of the "steel" guys will probably argue with me on this one, but this new steel has drag even when it's sharp that the steel in good quality old tools didn't have. Even if they're not super sharp, those old tools don't have that same drag. If you are lucky enough to ever have the chance to buy out a complete shop from some old guy that has an entire collection of old tools, I'd advise to beg, borrow or steal the money to get it. They just aren't makin' them anymore! I've been collecting for over 30 years, and I still don't have everything I'd like to have Edited November 21, 2016 by Big Sioux Saddlery Quote
Members seagiant Posted November 21, 2016 Author Members Report Posted November 21, 2016 2 hours ago, JLSleather said: Yep - used to be that Osborne meant good toys. Not so much any more... As for where to get that "old" quality... I wouldn't know. Hit 'n' miss about anywhere really. And can't really take a recommend from around here too seriously either. I bought a set of the J Watt edgers that everyone was going on about. I found them to be "just okay".. they came ready to cut but do not hold an edge at all. And I have weaver slot punches that I'm considering giving away, soon as I find someone I don't particularly like Hi, Oh Boy! Does not sound good! Maybe buy old tools off our fav. auction site? I just bought a HO "back" (9/10) from Springfield for $170 shipped! They said they would hand pick it for longest and cleanest? That's probably as good as it gets in this lifetime. I can't buy 5 hides or whatever you have to buy from the tannery. This should give me about 18, 1.5" wide belt blanks with little wastage! I want to thank everyone for helping me out, has been an education! If I wanted to sale a couple of completed belts to pay for the leather, where is a good place to do that??? Quote
Contributing Member JLSleather Posted November 21, 2016 Contributing Member Report Posted November 21, 2016 Did you get a back or a bend? Cuz IF it's decent leather, then $170 for a back is a good price. Keep in mind "they" (not just springfield) always say they're gonna hand select the best..blahblahblah Everybody else got the same story. Still, I have got some decent leather from them time to time. 18 is optimistic, really, I think you'll have a bit in there you'll want to cut out. But a little thought before cutting can make a difference. Quote "Observation is 9/10 of the law." IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.
Members seagiant Posted November 21, 2016 Author Members Report Posted November 21, 2016 (edited) Hi, I thought a Bend was a Back? I looked all over the Internet and this was the best I could find from a major player in HO! I think a LOT out there is import from where ever. This looked like it would give me the most blanks with the least waste! As I wanted 9/10 oz. I thought this important! Got to dive in sometime I guess? http://springfieldleather.com/Bend-Belt-HermannOak-Sngl-9-10 Edited November 21, 2016 by seagiant Quote
Contributing Member JLSleather Posted November 21, 2016 Contributing Member Report Posted November 21, 2016 That is a bend, which is a back MINUS the shoulder. Take a cow, cut it down the middle, this is a 'cowhide' or 'full hide' cut that in half down teh spine for two "sides" Cut off the belly section and call it a "back" (side minus belly) AND..the difference between a 'back' and a 'bend' is removing the shoulder, leaving the bend. This is THE best part of the hide for belts, being the most dense (strongest) part of the leather. Quote "Observation is 9/10 of the law." IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.
Members seagiant Posted November 21, 2016 Author Members Report Posted November 21, 2016 Hi, Ok, thanks!!!! VERY good explanation!!! If it was a "Back" it would of included the shoulder and been more leather. I see now why you said if it was a "back" that $170 shipped was a good price! I THINK I'm still ok with the bend as it should be the best leather for belts you can buy. I think if I can get 15 blanks, I'm still getting them at half price if I just bought individual blanks! They also should be as I said, best quality! Any scrape can be used for carving practice also! Thanks again! Quote
Members Jess Jones Posted November 23, 2016 Members Report Posted November 23, 2016 On 11/21/2016 at 8:43 AM, JLSleather said: Yep - used to be that Osborne meant good toys. Not so much any more... As for where to get that "old" quality... I wouldn't know. Hit 'n' miss about anywhere really. And can't really take a recommend from around here too seriously either. I bought a set of the J Watt edgers that everyone was going on about. I found them to be "just okay".. they came ready to cut but do not hold an edge at all. And I have weaver slot punches that I'm considering giving away, soon as I find someone I don't particularly like Agreed about the HSBT Western Edgers. Starts off great and then poof, dulls out quick! I hate saying this because they are such great people with great and friendly service. Even my skiving knife from them. I never use it anymore because I have to sharpen it constantly. Quote "Intentionally box yourself into a corner on every project. Then find the courage within yourself to overcome it via the imagination and questions. Stay hungry. Stay curious. With time and heart, you WILL succeed." -Jess Jones
Members seagiant Posted November 25, 2016 Author Members Report Posted November 25, 2016 (edited) Hi, Thought I would put up a pic of a belt and sheath I made. The belt blank cost me $20 on the bay and why I wanted to get a better price on blanks! This was hand sewn of course, with Tiger thread. Edited November 25, 2016 by seagiant Quote
Members seagiant Posted November 30, 2016 Author Members Report Posted November 30, 2016 Hi, Well....I didn't think my work was that bad? I got my bend from Springfield and I'm pleased with it. It will make belt blanks from 60"-64" and is 28" wid so hope to get at least 16-17 belt blanks The leather has no marks creases or scares I can see and should all be usable! Any scrape I can use for practice so is good for me! Here are some pics, this is a better piece of leather than the one I asked about, s I'm going to assume someone picked it out??? Quote
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