JohnD Report post Posted July 11, 2007 I haven't posted any of my work yet, So I thought it was about time. I took these with a cell phone camera. I started this last night after talking with Dan (Leathernut). It's a medieval eagle, that I got the idea out of a clip art book, on a maltese cross. The top is 6-7oz laced to about 6oz sides. The lace came from a tandy starter kit and its laced through brass grommets. The dye, I started with saddle tan antique darkened with a medium brown pro dye to chocolate brown pro dye. The edge is burnished with gum trag and a piece of old Carhart jeans and the whole thing was hit with neutral shoe polish and lightly buffed with lambswool. the padding is 1/2" neoprene foam that I order from http://www.foambymail.com/neoprene.html , Attached to an old Corbin-Gentry solo seat pan that I had kicking around. All in all it took about 10 hours. This is the first time I got a dye job exactly how I wanted it. I'm really dissapointed with my swivel knife work, despite practicing alot lately, it's still very sloppy. I don't quite have the hang of the bevelers yet either, but I think (read:hope)it has alot to do with the fact that I only have one size. Can you tell I'm nervous, I'm Babbling.... Let me know what you think. John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leathernut Report post Posted July 11, 2007 (edited) I haven't posted any of my work yet, So I thought it was about time. I took these with a cell phone camera.I started this last night after talking with Dan (Leathernut). It's a medieval eagle, that I got the idea out of a clip art book, on a maltese cross. The top is 6-7oz laced to about 6oz sides. The lace came from a tandy starter kit and its laced through brass grommets. The dye, I started with saddle tan antique darkened with a medium brown pro dye to chocolate brown pro dye. The edge is burnished with gum trag and a piece of old Carhart jeans and the whole thing was hit with neutral shoe polish and lightly buffed with lambswool. the padding is 1/2" neoprene foam that I order from http://www.foambymail.com/neoprene.html , Attached to an old Corbin-Gentry solo seat pan that I had kicking around. All in all it took about 10 hours. This is the first time I got a dye job exactly how I wanted it. I'm really dissapointed with my swivel knife work, despite practicing alot lately, it's still very sloppy. I don't quite have the hang of the bevelers yet either, but I think (read:hope)it has alot to do with the fact that I only have one size. Can you tell I'm nervous, I'm Babbling.... Let me know what you think. John john seat came out real good man..tooling is clean..like the color.as far as the swivel knife just pratice.hell im still sloppy at times myself.keep up the good work keep carvin brother.. Edited July 11, 2007 by leathernut Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roger Report post Posted July 11, 2007 not bad at all concidering you only have one size beveler! i have more than one set of tandy bevels if you want a set, let me know. i'll send then to ya Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beaverslayer Report post Posted July 11, 2007 John, That seat looks real good. I especialy like the way you used the eyelets for the lacing holes, it adds a real nice look to the seat. I also love the color. Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
abn Report post Posted July 11, 2007 John, don't be disappointed -- the carving looks great to me (but keep in mind I'm a non-carver). Really like the color and the grommets were a nice touch. Thanks for posting your pics -- that's a really nice seat! Alex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnD Report post Posted July 11, 2007 (edited) Cool, Thanks for all the positive comments. I can't take credit for the grommets, I saw them on a seat done by Jay at Truckalope leather here in NH and thought they looked sharp so I "adopted" the idea. I was planning on trying to sell the seat, But I, regretfully, tried it on my bike and well, I guess I'll be making another one to sell. Roger, I'm sending you a PM Thanks again for the kind words guys. John Edited July 11, 2007 by JohnD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnD Report post Posted July 11, 2007 (edited) So much for selling stuff I make. Edited July 11, 2007 by JohnD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
abn Report post Posted July 12, 2007 John, you might be surprised how many future seats that one sells. One benefit of keeping an example of your work is that you have something to show in the flesh (so to speak ) when someone asks about your leatherwork. Plus, those "first" projects, whether a wallet or a motorcycle seat, are special and deserve to be enjoyed! So have fun with this one! Best, -Alex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
william Report post Posted July 12, 2007 John Very nice I like it and swivel knife is always a chalange for me you have to keep it stropped up wit jewlers rough as it gets dull very fast and will start to drag in the leather. Nice color also keep up the good work. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnD Report post Posted July 12, 2007 Thanks for the comments, Alex, I've already been showing this one off quite a bit, so I think you're right about future business, People seem to really be digging it. I may have even sold my bike since I put the seat on (yesterday). William, That's one thing I do forget to do for some reason. I have a paint mixing stick that I rubbed some rouge on and I keep it right next to my slab. When I start carving I keep on top of it, every so often stropping my blade, but after a while I tend to forget and keep plugging away with a dragging blade. John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
