Using a modeling tool........

[ChuckBurrows]

IMO modeling tools, also called spoon modelers, are some of the most under used (mis-understood?) tools available to leather smiths.
In another post JD mentioned how he was having "difficulty" with beveling and I suggested using a modeling tool to smooth things out.
To show what can be done with modeling tools - here's a couple of pieces I did more than a few years back using only modeling tools and a background stamp - these pieces were not incised with a knife prior to modeling, they are impressed designs rather than incised designs. Both were inspired by 14th Century Moorish patterns from Andalucia Spain, where so much of our leather crafting as we know it today began.
The modeling was all done while sitting crosslegged on the ground at a Medieval re-enactment using a piece of hard wood on my lap as a table. Me sitting crosslegged on the ground should give you a clue as to how many that "more than few years ago was" 

Sorry I don't have a better pick of the pouch flap, but I was showing of the dirk handle in this pic......


A closeup and a full view........

Anyway I suggest getting a few of these tools and using them - I'm betting you'll like them.....I generally only use about three: the wide spoon, the narrow spoon, and the fawn foot (I think that's what it's called)

BTW - as an aside the background stamps were made from 16 penny sinkers - I flattened the point on the head a bit so they weren't so sharp, and filed/ground them to different shapes. I cut the other end off and used tham as is - a bit short in teh shank but they worked - keep planning on getting some brass rod and glueing them in one end but oh well - they are still some of my favorites back grounders.........

[JD Alan]

Really incredible looking items Chuck. Actually, I have used a modeling spoon to do some smoothing out, mostly when I've gone "Outside the lines" so to speak with an overstitch wheel or tool.

Thanks for sharing your expertise and work, very inspiring. JD   

The last time I sat cross legged on the ground was to assemble a bed for my son. That little "Indiscretion" led me to arthroscopic surgery on the left knee. It's been five years, and it still hurts! Getting old Sucks!

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Hello Chuck

     Will I echo what JD said, I look forward to your post pard, you always have something that blows me away, thanks again for sharing your work with us probies, and showing what can be done with modeling spoons



                                                       tEN wOLVES 

[randyc]

Chuck
Thanks for the information. That's very beaiutiful work.

Randy

[Wiley Desperado]

Chuck, your work is in a class of it's own, incredible, thanks for sharing sharing.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I must say, Chuck. That really looks outstanding. I like the softness of the edges done like that. The whole design has a subtle strength that makes it really striking. Very, very nice. Thanks for sharing that. What a great technique.

[RollingThunder]

Alright. That's IT. You better 'fess up and 'fess up now pard. What museum did you swipe those really gorgeous pieces from? That's too dadgum slick and nice to be replicas.

Oh.

You sure they are?

Wow. Coulda fooled me, pard. 

Brilliant work! This is another example of why I paid so much attention during clay-work in my arts classes in school. Now I'm gonna head off and play with my modeling tools!

[ChuckBurrows]

Just hope this helps.......

I like the softness of the edges done like that.

Will - IMO it would be good method to reproduce some of the old time commercial cowboy leather that was plate stamped rather than carved/hand tooled - it too often has that softness to the edges.........
These days the arthritis in my hand, arm, and shoulder really flares up after using a maul and tools, yet for some reason using a modeler doesn't bother it near as much........difference in the shock I reckon as opposed to just pressing....

[Marshal Will Wingam]

IMO it would be good method to reproduce some of the old time commercial cowboy leather that was plate stamped rather than carved/hand tooled - it too often has that softness to the edges.........

I agree whole-heartedly.

[Dr. Bob]

Chuck,

Too beautiful for words!  

JD,

Getting old is not for the weak of heart!    Still think it beats lookin up at the roots of the grass.

[JD Alan]

Well Doc, When I was younger I heard a guy say once you reach the age of 50, if you wake up in the morning and nothing hurts, you probably died during the night and just don't know it! It didn't mean much at the time, but I understand it real well now.  JD

[ChuckBurrows]

I reckon Miss Betty Davis had it right - Growing old isn't for sissies!

and as my wife is want to say - youth REALLY is wasted on the young....

Of course if I'd only known then what I know now I might not done some of those things back then that I did like riding bucking horses, chowsing cow critters throught he back country, and trapping beaver in period gear......

[JD Alan]

As Indiana Jones said "It's not the years, it's the mileage"

Some wise person once said "If I'd known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself"

Never trapped a beaver, but I sure did pick up things I should had help with too many times. 

[RollingThunder]

My problem is that I repeatedly pick up a fork and carry some tasty object to my mouth. lol.

[JD Alan]

Well, if you're going to get Ugly about it!

[Ace Lungger]

CB, ,
Not that I am shocked at you work, it amazes me on your artist talent that you have to design the most ative leather work i have ever seen! I am not jealous of you, but I envy your talent! Your video I have is awesome, and it has taught me a lot, but talent is something you have to have been born with or work so hard at, that a person can do a lot of nice stuff, but nothing like you and a lot of the pards on here have. I thank you so much for showing your work and explannibg how you did it, for you guys that have that talent, makes me what to work harder at my leather work!

Thanks again for sharing!
ACE