Working on the basketweave

[doublehbar]

This is part of a knife sheath that I am working on for one of my husband's coworkers. I am new to leather and even newer to stamping. Though the work isn't without flaws, I am pleased with the progress that I am making. Basketweave is a tricky one, but I am determined to get it someday. I wanted to share with people who know what it's like to learn this trade.

[fredk]

Thats looking just grand

[LederRudi]

You did very well!

Small elongate stamps like the one you apparently used are IMHO especially difficult to work with.

I achieve passable results only since I’ve bought two of Barry King’s basket stamps.

Edited April 26, 2018 by LederRudi

[doublehbar]

Thank you so much! You guys have made my day!! I was super nervous starting this because I knew it wasn't a practice piece. I struggled with shadow bounce a little, but maintained my composure rather than let it plummet off a cliff. Lol After the picture I started punching holes with my new awl and found out how much different it is compared to the cheapie that I had. This craft seems to be a never ending learning curve. haha

Leder- Did you notice a difference between the BK stamps as opposed to the cheaper ones? I have some cheap stamps right now due to budget constraints, but I have been eye balling the nicer stuff and dreaming.

[MoRoadglide11]

Coming from a guy who hasn't done a basket weave project yet....you've done beautiful work! I think your husband's friend will be sorely impressed with your work! Just be careful of your work....the more your husband's friends see your work...the more your husband will complain of starvation...you'll be too busy pounding out wallets. knife sheaths, etc, etc. Oh!...and don't let the other wives see what you are doing either...they'll all want a floral carved and tooled purse...people are funny like that! In all of my 40+ years of doing leather work....there is nothing more satisfying than producing a work of art with your own two hands and watching others making a big fuss about your talent...it still blows me away when it happens to me.

 

 

[bikermutt07]

It is looking good .

[LederRudi]

The old hands here on Leatherworker.net I often said that the use of quality stamps does make a difference, so I bought some. They do make crisper impressions with more detail and facilitate keeping up consistency because they are machined precisely, as opposed to Tandy’s tri-weave e. g. that is practically useless. With BK’s tools I made progress from “beyond critique” to “fair” and hope to arrive soon at the level “neat”.

[doublehbar]

17 hours ago, MoRoadglide11 said:

Coming from a guy who hasn't done a basket weave project yet....you've done beautiful work! I think your husband's friend will be sorely impressed with your work! Just be careful of your work....the more your husband's friends see your work...the more your husband will complain of starvation...you'll be too busy pounding out wallets. knife sheaths, etc, etc. Oh!...and don't let the other wives see what you are doing either...they'll all want a floral carved and tooled purse...people are funny like that! In all of my 40+ years of doing leather work....there is nothing more satisfying than producing a work of art with your own two hands and watching others making a big fuss about your talent...it still blows me away when it happens to me.

 

 

Hahaha. Thank your for the laugh. I love this. Your compliments were so nice to hear and I would love to get to the point where people see my work and want me to make them something too. Heck. I am looking forward to the point where I get a little free time to make something for myself. lol I am going to be needing a new wallet and I am planning on making my own when I get the chance. I really hope that I someday experience people making a fuss over what I make for them. That would be a great feeling!

[doublehbar]

8 hours ago, LederRudi said:

The old hands here on Leatherworker.net I often said that the use of quality stamps does make a difference, so I bought some. They do make crisper impressions with more detail and facilitate keeping up consistency because they are machined precisely, as opposed to Tandy’s tri-weave e. g. that is practically useless. With BK’s tools I made progress from “beyond critique” to “fair” and hope to arrive soon at the level “neat”.

Mental note: Avoid Tandy's tri-weave stamp. lol Now you have piqued my interest about better stamps. I think I will make it my goal to set aside some money from every project for buying better tools. 

[Rockoboy]

1 hour ago, doublehbar said:

Now you have piqued my interest about better stamps.

Try stamps from arbelet12 on this site, he has an etsy store as well. very nice stamps at reasonable prices.

[doublehbar]

4 hours ago, Rockoboy said:

Try stamps from arbelet12 on this site, he has an etsy store as well. very nice stamps at reasonable prices.

Thank you! I will look into them.