Rolandranch Report post Posted November 15, 2019 Hey all! Here's a couple tooled belts I did. I used Thoroughbred's golden skirting and split it. Filled in the background with a paintbrush using fiebings usmc black dye. Lined them with 3-4 oz veg tan. The one with the brand I made for a friend in exchange for a roping steer so I thought that was a pretty good trade! I'm still new to tooling belts so if have any advice on the floral design I'd love to hear it. Comments/critique more than welcome. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rolandranch Report post Posted November 15, 2019 Here's me practicing my roping with that steer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted November 15, 2019 It's a bit background-heavy for me, Kid. I'm not one to think that "traditional" means they all have to look the same (they shouldn't), but this is too much "open space" for my taste. To be clear - the background you did is quite consistent and well done, just a bit much for the design. And .. uhhh... did you stop the lining layer short of the back fold? Kaint say I'm big on that look. I infrequently run the liner all the way to the end - including the fold -- but most often stop the inside layer AT the fold line. The steers I can't help you with. My knowledge extends only to the difference between a steak and a loin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rolandranch Report post Posted November 15, 2019 1 hour ago, JLSleather said: It's a bit background-heavy for me, Kid. I'm not one to think that "traditional" means they all have to look the same (they shouldn't), but this is too much "open space" for my taste. To be clear - the background you did is quite consistent and well done, just a bit much for the design. And .. uhhh... did you stop the lining layer short of the back fold? Kaint say I'm big on that look. I infrequently run the liner all the way to the end - including the fold -- but most often stop the inside layer AT the fold line. The steers I can't help you with. My knowledge extends only to the difference between a steak and a loin I agree it is background heavy. It's weird, when I draw the pattern on the leather it looks like it's fine, but when I carve it I notice there's more background than I wanted. The heavy background stood out even more when I dyed it. Yeah, I wasn't quite sure on how or where to end the liner. I guess I didn't want the fold to be too bulky even though I split the fold area a couple oz thinner than the rest of the belt. Thanks! 1 hour ago, JLSleather said: The steers I can't help you with. My knowledge extends only to the difference between a steak and a loin Don't forget you also know how to use his hide. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cattledude Report post Posted November 15, 2019 Nice work! Kick up to the hip and hold your horse in 'till you dally... Good trade by the way!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuck123wapati Report post Posted November 15, 2019 10 hours ago, Rolandranch said: Here's me practicing my roping with that steer. you throw a nice loop there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sofaspud Report post Posted November 15, 2019 Back ground heavy, maybe. But I would be proud to have made or to wear one if those belts. They look darn good to me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Treed Report post Posted November 15, 2019 You don't want the fold to be a double thickness. The trick is to skive the leather down on the tooled piece just past the fold before you glue the liner down. This way you can run the liner the full length and reduce it at the fold. Depending on the weight of the liner some skive it also so that when done the leather is a uniform thickness all the way down the belt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rolandranch Report post Posted November 15, 2019 2 hours ago, Cattledude said: Nice work! Kick up to the hip and hold your horse in 'till you dally... Good trade by the way!!! Thanks! I think so too. I'm just starting out roping so not real good at it yet but I'm having too much fun with it! 2 hours ago, chuck123wapati said: you throw a nice loop there. Thank ya! I get my practice from roping little siblings 1 hour ago, Sofaspud said: Back ground heavy, maybe. But I would be proud to have made or to wear one if those belts. They look darn good to me. Thanks Sofaspud! Appreciate it! 1 hour ago, Treed said: You don't want the fold to be a double thickness. The trick is to skive the leather down on the tooled piece just past the fold before you glue the liner down. This way you can run the liner the full length and reduce it at the fold. Depending on the weight of the liner some skive it also so that when done the leather is a uniform thickness all the way down the belt. I see what your saying. Thanks for the tip. I'll do that on my next belt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigSiouxSaddlery Report post Posted November 16, 2019 10 hours ago, Rolandranch said: I agree it is background heavy. It's weird, when I draw the pattern on the leather it looks like it's fine, but when I carve it I notice there's more background than I wanted. The pattern shrinks as you tool it, and the negative space gets bigger. You just have to keep it in mind when drawing your pattern. I struggle with it myself. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlexOstacchini Report post Posted November 28, 2019 On 11/15/2019 at 2:36 PM, Rolandranch said: I agree it is background heavy. It's weird, when I draw the pattern on the leather it looks like it's fine, but when I carve it I notice there's more background than I wanted. The heavy background stood out even more when I dyed it. I can relate very much to this! I design my stuff on paper first and now always take the time to heavily shade in the background to give a better overall impression on how things will look- Only a simple thing and you may do this already but it really helps for me, I think the eye just kind of blends them together otherwise and it's difficult to tell how much background you really have. That said, the belts you have made really look excellent. I wish I was making things half as nice as that when I was 18. I would echo the comments about perhaps extending the liner but overall superb work, very beautifully and professionally done. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites