Leathersmiths.....show us yer stuff, (#1) THIS THREAD IS NOW CLOSED

Irish Dave · December 31, 2007, 03:46:17 PM

Seth:

You're right, pardner. Considerable change from No. 1 to No. 2. It's easy to see significant improvement in your edging treatment and a much more refined stitching process. Keep at it, pard, you're getting there. It's amazing how much we learn the more work we do. I know the rest of us would agree that we're all still learning with every project, regardless of how long we've been at it.

No matter how you feel about them now, one of these days (if you're like most of us) you'll have progressed to the point that you'll look back at these early projects and grin about how far your craftsmanship has come.

Like anything else, it's all about good fundamentals then practice, practice, practice.
Thanks for sharing these with us and keep cuttin' leather.

Seth Shaw · December 31, 2007, 04:17:16 PM

Much obliged pard! Being able to see first hand the obvious and considerable improvement from one project to the next gives me a great deal of satisfaction and greatly increases my enthusiasm and confidence in leatherworking. It's been a real privilege to be able to examine photos of the work of the truly talented leathersmiths that frequent this forum. Thanks again to all of you for helping to inspire me! Next up on my list will be a fully floral carved buscadero double holster rig for my wife. I'm looking forward to exploring that style and making adjustments to accommodate a female figure. It should be a great learning experience.

Marshal Will Wingam · December 31, 2007, 07:24:53 PM

Well, I must say you've progressed a lot. That new rig is great. I like the border pattern along both the top and bottom edges of the belt, it gives the whole thing a more finished appearance. The stitching looks more even, too. All in all, great job. I'm looking forward to seeing that rig for your wife.

Buck Stinson · January 03, 2008, 05:59:28 PM

This one is patterned from an original F.A. Meanea, Cheyenne holster and money belt in my collection. I made this rig for myself and it is a bit fancier than those offered on my web site.

Adios,
Buck

]

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · January 03, 2008, 07:08:34 PM

Howdy Buck

Nice job Buck , you really did a great job on the tooling, and everything else, the tooling on the holster, really stands out. My hats off to ya Pard

Ten Wolves Five Shooter

Dalton Masterson · January 03, 2008, 08:18:21 PM

Very very very nice! DM

Marshal Will Wingam · January 03, 2008, 09:00:36 PM

Buck, that's just plain beautiful. I really like it. It sure looks like a Meanea, all right. Outstanding work. Do you have a close-up of that border pattern? Thanks for posting it.

Buck Stinson · January 03, 2008, 10:03:48 PM

This one is a little better. You won't find these stamps anywhere, because I make my own. As I said earlier, the gear I make is patterned from original pieces in my collection. Some modern tooling stamps are close, but close isn't good enough for me. I try to give my customers exactly what they could have purchased if they walked into a saddle shop anywhere on the frontier between 1849 and 1900.

Adios,
Buck

Marshal Will Wingam · January 04, 2008, 01:26:29 AM

Thanks, Buck. That does nicely. I like making my own stamps, too. I have one that is very similar to the center one of yours. I agree, close isn't really good enough. That's a fine holster.

Buck Stinson · January 04, 2008, 09:32:36 AM

The circle in the center was called a sunburst by old time saddle makers. The small flower in the middle, is an old store bought stamp made by Osborne. Tandy has one similar. In addition, there are four other individual stamping tools used to make up the sunburst and a total of eight four individual hammer strikes.

Adios,
Buck

Irish Dave · January 04, 2008, 12:13:24 PM

Very nice, Buck. Excellent work.

Marshal Will Wingam · January 04, 2008, 01:35:59 PM

Thanks. I like it. I can see I need to make a new stamp or two, now.

Triggersmith · January 14, 2008, 05:25:56 PM

I have been doing a little more sewing and a little less tooling lately. I like the looks of contrasting thread against the leather, so I have sewn in a pattern on the front of my new bandoleer holster for my R-M 51. Instead of the usual fold over holster I made a front and back. I could get more stitching in that way. Always looking for ways to improve my craft. Any critique is always welcome.
Thanks
Triggersmith

Dr. Bob · January 14, 2008, 05:36:32 PM

Kewel!! I really like the look!

Dalton Masterson · January 14, 2008, 07:57:15 PM

Hey thats really cool!!! I have been toying with that idea, seeing as how I found some bright Orange thread awhile back. Did you just saddle stitch it or is it a different type of stitch? DM

Marshal Will Wingam · January 14, 2008, 09:15:24 PM

Great holster, Triggersmith. I really like the half-flap design. The stitching really sets it off, too.

Triggersmith · January 14, 2008, 09:23:14 PM

Thanks Gents. That is just a straight saddle stitch. I make my pattern just like I was going to tool. I groove it and use the stitch wheel then sew. I use my saddle awl at a slight angle to the groove, like the book says and got to it. It's a nice alternative to tooling.
Triggersmith

outrider · January 15, 2008, 07:01:49 AM

Triggersmith...great looking holster. I too like the stitching.

Dalton...where did you find the orange thread and what size is it?

Dalton Masterson · January 15, 2008, 08:04:58 AM

My neighbor whose father used to dabble in leather, gave it to me. It looks like one of the smaller rolls of Tandy waxed thread or nyltex. Not sure what it is for sure, but it will contrast nice with black. DM

outrider · January 16, 2008, 06:44:21 PM

Howdy pards:

Well, I have finally finished this holster, which is a rendition of the Charlie Prince (Ben Foster) rig as designed and made by Will Ghormley for the 3:10 to Yuma movie. I took Will's 49er pattern and modified the mainseam then added the stitching and the spots. I have already started a cross draw verson and hope to have it done for next weeks shoot.