Carving Leather

[Hank Rugerman]

Here is a pretty good tutorial on carving a project piece...that I found on the net...

lot of good instruction that can be used on holsters and such...

good luck..

http://www.craftcave.com/leather/leatherbasics1.htm

[Dalton Masterson]

Hey thats pretty handy! DM

[cowboywc]

There is some good info there and some not so good.
WC

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[Ace Lungger]

Howdy Folks,
 Quick question, I have notice on differnt sites, that you can buy pretty high dollar blades for you swivel knife, I am assumeing that they are just made out of better quality steel, and that is why they are so high? Is it going to help a newbie learn to crave if he has a better blade, or should I just play with what I got?

Thanks ACE

[Dalton Masterson]

Hey Ace. I think sharp is the main thing along with practice, but.... I have gone to the ceramic blades. WOW. Cant say enough good about them. They dont get sharpened, just stropped, so is a little less maintenance. DM

[cowboywc]

Howdy Ace
The main thing about a better quality blade is you don't have to sharpen as often. They hold an edge
longer. The ceramics are great but, as a TLF dealer I've noticed that the blades are coming through without a
finished polish and are very rough. This makes the blade drag a lot in the leather. You will need 600, 800 & 1000
grit wet/dry sandpaper and work out the scratches before it will glide through the leather like it's supposed to.
I have 2 of the original ceramics and they were polished right out of the package. I use a steel blade most of the
time now. A 1/4 angle ASB blade from Tandy. I have blades from just about every Maker and they all have a place
depending on what carving I'm doing. When you can go to Tandy Ask if you can try both the ASB steel and the
 ceramic and see what you like best.
WC

[Dalton Masterson]

I have to agree that the ASB steel ones are nice! I must have lucked out on my ceramics, they are very nice out of the package, and have only stropped them. DM

[Hank Rugerman]

There is some good info there and some not so good.
WC

Being the novice that I am, and I take it there are a few more here...Which parts are you talking about that wasn't so good? 

It looked like a pretty good introduction that had written and visual referneces.

Is it a quality thing, or a procedural...? Or was it more of the tools that they were using?

Hate to perpuate, or learn the wrong way, as I/we progress...

[cowboywc]

Most everything he said was ok (right out of the book that came from). His execution of the tools and
his swivel knife deco cuts leave a lot to be desired.
The camo stamp in the flower should fad away from the seed pod.
The veiner around the fern swirl should be angeled down and into the cut.
The background stamp he mentioned (A104) is not the fine one he says. An A98 or A99 is finer. He says to
matte down the background, if you want to make your carving stand out you need to drive the background
down more than a matting.
His seed pod is flat, the pod needs to pop up.
I've carved that pattern about 10 a year for the last 10 years teaching my beginners classes.
Here is a sample.
WC
P.S.
These are just my opinions.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

hOWDY cOWBOY WC


                Good example Pard, I blew it and made a copy to keep in the shop , as a guide, sometimes I forget how things work, and are supposed to look ,

                                                                        Thanks for sharing

                                                                      tEN wOLVES 

[Hank Rugerman]

Most everything he said was ok (right out of the book that came from). His execution of the tools and
his swivel knife deco cuts leave a lot to be desired.
The camo stamp in the flower should fad away from the seed pod.
The veiner around the fern swirl should be angeled down and into the cut.
The background stamp he mentioned (A104) is not the fine one he says. An A98 or A99 is finer. He says to
matte down the background, if you want to make your carving stand out you need to drive the background
down more than a matting.
His seed pod is flat, the pod needs to pop up.
I've carved that pattern about 10 a year for the last 10 years teaching my beginners classes.
Here is a sample.
WC
P.S.
These are just my opinions.

I appreciate the feedback...

Where did you learn? Would a class at a local Tandy do some good, or is it better to read and practice what you learned?

I see that you give classes. Do you know anyone local to Texas that does the same?

[Black Powder]

I've carved that pattern about 10 a year for the last 10 years teaching my beginners classes.

Beginners???!!!  Maybe this is all familiar to you folks, but I've never seen anything like the stuff everybody's been sharin' here.  I had no idea...

Good stuff, good stuff.

BP

[Hank Rugerman]

Well BP...your sho nuff in the right spot...there is a lot of talented folks here just itchin to share with you..

And they're good at it too..

[cowboywc]

Howdy
Anytime you can take a class it's better than just watching videos or reading books. None of those can tell
you what you're doing right and wrong and stop you from praticeing bad habits.
All the Tandy/Leather Factory stores, Hidecrafter and most of their Dealers offer classes. Most of the Mgrs. are
good instructors.
WC

[Seth Shaw]

Howdy
Anytime you can take a class it's better than just watching videos or reading books. None of those can tell
you what you're doing right and wrong and stop you from praticeing bad habits.
All the Tandy/Leather Factory stores, Hidecrafter and most of their Dealers offer classes. Most of the Mgrs. are
good instructors.
WC

I would LOVE to take a class on carving. I learn so much more in a hands on environment, where I can see first hand how the techniques are employed. I also need to invest in a quality swivel knife, instead of using the entry level one I have.

Next time you have a class, let me know! I would very much like to join in. Carving is the one element I really really want to learn how to do well! Most other elements of leathercraft I can pick up on my own, but carving is something that I think would benefit from hands on tutelage.

[cowboywc]

Howdy Seth
I have beginning class Tues or Thurs Nights. It is a a-z course that lasts 6 months.
I also do private one on one classes on Fri night by Appointment. 6:30-10:30pm. Cost is $40

[Seth Shaw]

Howdy Seth
I have beginning class Tues or Thurs Nights. It is a a-z course that lasts 6 months.
I also do private one on one classes on Fri night by Appointment. 6:30-10:30pm. Cost is $40

Well that seals it then, it's about time I high-tail it on over to your shop to say howdy!

[Ace Lungger]

see, that is the problem when you live in no mans land! I would take class, but there doesn't seem to be any place to take one, so WC point me to a good DVD to buy. Do you sell one? And i don't know if a vidieo would help, I have a hands on type person, I have to read something a half of dozen times for it to sink in, but if so one shows me, it a lot easier. You folks are a GOD SENT as it is.
ACE

[Buffalow Red]

see, that is the problem when you live in no mans land! I would take class, but there doesn't seem to be any place to take one, so WC point me to a good DVD to buy. Do you sell one? And i don't know if a vidieo would help, I have a hands on type person, I have to read something a half of dozen times for it to sink in, but if so one shows me, it a lot easier. You folks are a GOD SENT as it is.
ACE

i have that problem too its 80 miles round trip to tandy & i m allways tided up on sat wen the class is a dvd would be great

[cowboywc]

Howdy Guys
I understand about not having a store close enough to take classes from.
Tandy has got rid of all the videos and DVDs thay carried.
Hidecrafter has many.
Traditional Western Carving
Basketweave and Geometric Stamping
Dyeing and Finishing
Special Stamping Techniques
These are just a few, but they are the ones I would start out with.

WC