Leathersmiths.....Need Some Assistance

[Forty Rod]

Got the second one today, Jack.  Looks like it needs a bit of "downsizing" to work, but I can handle that.  Shorten it about an inch and bring the curved side in a bit, maybe a half inch (or less to leave room for the tacks) and I'm ready to cook.

If I can figure out exactly how snug to make it, I shouldn't need a retaining thong at all.

General question for whoever:  when I put on the beaded buckskin panel, do I stitch it clear through the sheath at the top and bottom?  If so, what keeps me from cutting the threads with the knife when I put it away or draw it? 

Howzat for a newbie question?

[Brazos Jack]

Hey Rod,

   Sorry 'bout the oversize; it's hard to make a patern without the knife, but you'll get 'er done.

Now, about adding the panel. You should use a Glover's Needle to sew the buckskin to the sheath. Just catch the outer edge of the sheat leather and use a blanket stitch OR pre-punch the holes along the top with the glover's needle and then trim the top with beads as you sew. This will keep the thread away from the blade.

I know this ain't much help without photos or a drawing, but I figger you will get it.

Hope this helps.

[Forty Rod]

Glover's needle.

I'm having a hard time finding any supplies in this area.  Half the population of the dang state within 50 miles of here and no decent stores.

Went 30 miles to the nearest Tandy yesterday just to find out they don't have anything much that I need and their prices are absolutly ridiculous.  I bought a package of ten #000 needles and a 25 yard roll of thread for $14.99.

Any suggestions that don't involve the internet and shipping charges for simple items?

Most of this seems simple and straight forward (even for someone with mitts like mine) but the materials are hard to find in la-la land.

[Old Top]

Forty,

You might try Hanson Leather, I beleive that they advertize on this site if not I have their E-mail.

Old Top

[Forty Rod]

Are they local, or is there anyone local?  I'd really like a place where I can go in, look around, touch stuff, and get an answer for some of these Mickey Mouse new guy questions.

Ther must be someplace like that.

[Old Top]

Forty,

If there is I do not know where it is located.  Hansons is up by San Francisco, which may be a bit far to go.

Old Top

[Slowhand Bob]

I usually buy in larger quantities and have not needed glovers needles in forever but used to find them fairly easily.  Seem they used to be offered in a variety pack that could be found in crafty oriented stores, including Wally Marts.  Tandy should have been a definite source as thats probly where my 'lifetime supply' would have come from.  But then the old Tandy was big into beading with more books and educational material than immaginable while the newly revised Tandy has moved away from this line.

[Forty Rod]

Found a ten pack today at a local artsy-fartsy store.  Now if i can find the right color green beads I'm off to the races.

[Dr. Bob]

Forty Rod,

Try the web catalog of Crazy Crow Trading Post!  They have lots of colors of beads, ship fast and are easy to work with!  The specialize in Indian type stuff.  Good shopping!

[Forty Rod]

Thanks, Bob.  I've been buying stuff from Crazy crow for quite a while now, but I found just the right color this afternoon at a local place.  I'll start next week and see how long it takes.  I have never done either leather or bead work and I'm planning on going reallllly slow to avoid mistakes.  Maybe I'll tackle a larger sheath later, and I'm doing the pencil work on a belt pouch, too.

[Forty Rod]

HEY!!! GUESS WHAT I FOUND!!!

I've probably spent the best part of twenty hours perusing the Crazy Crow catalog over the last year, but last night I stumbled on something that I have missed:  They sell a very close copy of the knife I'm making the neck sheath for.  It doesn't appear to have the cap on the butt of the grip, but otherwise looks identical...complete with the sheath with a steel collar and steel tip.

I might buy one just for fun.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Post pics of it next to your other one, if you do. 

[Forty Rod]

I'll try.  May have to send them to you, because I'm not very good at this.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

No problem. I'll post it for you if you need me to.

[Forty Rod]

Will, I got the knife today.  Wrong handle material (antelope horn instead of stag, but my daughter will like it.) because I used to be an English teacher, but never learned hoe to write very well.

I can e-mail the pic to you if you'll give me your address again.  If I can I'll sned a couple of others, too.

So far I've screwed up three attemps at the neck sheath, but the fourth one is looking MUCH better.  Maybe I'll have something to show you all before the 4th of July.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I sent you an email. You can send to that address. Looking forward to it. You need it posted?

[Forty Rod]

I sent it along.  I haven't a clue hoe to post it and it took me a half hour to figure out how to e-mail it.  Someday I gotta sit down and work out how all that is done.

Thanks.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Here you go, pard. It's a nice knife. I like both equally.

[Forty Rod]

I wish I'd have put the right number in the box and got a stag handle instead of antelope horn.  It's a really neat little knife, but the sheath isn't nearly as good as it looks.  The knives are made in Solingen, but the sheaths look more like Bangladesh.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

The knives are made in Solingen, but the sheaths look more like Bangladesh.