Members GeneH Posted February 16, 2019 Author Members Report Posted February 16, 2019 Chrisash: That's a really good point: break-away safety. I thought about covering the blade only. I've slipped on a wet leafy steep slope more than once. I may have gotten lucky using this style hanger. Hopefully on the initial slide the handle catches and the hatchet slides right out without smacking any ribs on the way. I tried to make the accompanying mask stout enough, though the snaps holding it might come loose in a fall and expose the edge. I'll give this more thought as I go forward. The one safety issue I am concerned about is my own inattention and putting the hatchet w/o the mask, "just for a moment," in the hanger and slicing my arm the next moment. Inherent design weakness. Quote
Members GeneH Posted February 16, 2019 Author Members Report Posted February 16, 2019 8 hours ago, RockyAussie said: ...In my opinion stress points are the areas to be concentrated on and I would think about a complete change of design. For instance an upside down T shape cut with a single line external stitch down the front and the other piece folding back over the belt and down to the bottom edge with 2 rivets attaching at the bottom could be worth looking at... Yep, that's a better idea. Cleaner design, I don't need rivets, and I bet I saves 2/3 of the cutting/fitting/assembly time. I pretty much finished the original one last night (pictures forthcoming later this weekend) and getting that strap bolted to the hatchet loops was a battle of wills. Inanimate cowhide almost won. That first build has too many compromises (IMO) the way the strap is secured. This, as you suggested will be my next one. I wasn't going to even try another like I did. This one has "U" shaped stitching on the strap which I think might be the strongest, though probably not necessary. No vertical stitching on the wraps because that's outside my temperament level and again not needed for a hatchet. Quote
Members GeneH Posted February 16, 2019 Author Members Report Posted February 16, 2019 As of last night I had decided to not make another one. Now I can't wait to get started on the next. Quote
RockyAussie Posted February 17, 2019 Report Posted February 17, 2019 14 hours ago, GeneH said: As of last night I had decided to not make another one. Now I can't wait to get started on the next. That looks good to go and I am happy to hear your keen to get started again. Keep in mind to check the length of the belt loop section. If it can shorten some it could make the interlocking cutting reduce the waste to near nix. Do you have a clicker press or a method for using cutting dies? That knife shape here in the 19mm ht 3/4" would cost about $70.00au I think and about $20.00 for the other. A clicker press would enable the cut at around 30 secs per if that helps. Quote Wild Harry - Australian made leather goodsYouTube Channel Instagram
bermudahwin Posted February 17, 2019 Report Posted February 17, 2019 16 hours ago, GeneH said: As of last night I had decided to not make another one. Now I can't wait to get started on the next. Good on you, Gene Harry Quote No longer following it.
Members GeneH Posted February 17, 2019 Author Members Report Posted February 17, 2019 Nope, no clicker press. I used my wood carving knives because of budget restrictions, but that was *H* on the thin blades. No production goals, these hobby one-offs. However, the whole process should go smoothly without so much time just putzing and struggling to make the pieces fit and look right. Quote
Members GeneH Posted February 17, 2019 Author Members Report Posted February 17, 2019 Calling this one done, except for conditioner especially inside the belt loop. I am not pleased with any of the edge finishing. The mask came out nice, and I don't know why this piece didn't come out as clean. The hatchet hangs very nicely with its handle tilting slightly behind and inward out of the way. I'm satisfied with the stitching considering that's the second article stitched, and the number of times I pulled a few stitches back to start over. Mistakes and errors: The snaps are covering up permanent marker near the top, necessitating splitting the stitching into left and right as I did not want to go under a snap. Now I know how to stitch starting left handed and starting right handed and make both look the same. Win. The picture of the bottom shows misalignment of the strap, partially because it was punched with that end destined to be the top. That bottom was supposed to be the funneled top but I must have had wax on a burnisher because it would not take dye. The black dyed top was supposed to be the bottom because it wasn't as clean. I accidently rounded and slanted the loop between the belt strap so that looks funky. Quote
RockyAussie Posted February 17, 2019 Report Posted February 17, 2019 Structurally and aesthetically that looks very good to me as is. The stitching and the finishing all look way more than most would do for this purpose as well IMHO. Congratulations. Quote Wild Harry - Australian made leather goodsYouTube Channel Instagram
Members GeneH Posted February 18, 2019 Author Members Report Posted February 18, 2019 (edited) Thanks RockyA! I do have to say I’m pleased with the stitching by the snaps. I had to start at each side of the snap and work round towards the back to keep the symmetry. Good learning piece. Edited February 18, 2019 by GeneH Quote
bermudahwin Posted February 18, 2019 Report Posted February 18, 2019 Looking good, H Quote No longer following it.
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