Now for the leather work.

[Noisydad]

IMG_0473.JPG (331.36 KiB) Viewed 4943 times

Having made the Bowie knife, now it needs its own sheath. These are its parts cut out and nearly ready for assembly. It'll be hand sewn as I haven't got a suitable sewing machine....yet. I bought a 1300 x 500 x 4 sheet of veg tanned leather off eBay. I have a few projects lined up.

[juststarting]

I always wanted to try my hand at this. This may give me the right inspiration. I'd love a nice MENLY! leather bag for my lever actions.

[on_one_wheel]

Looks like it's shaping up well already.

You'll have fun pushing the awl through those 3 bits of heavy leather.

[pomemax]

A good way to hold your leather is watch video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XUvddGXeBA

[Noisydad]

I always wanted to try my hand at this. This may give me the right inspiration. I'd love a nice MENLY! leather bag for my lever actions.

The main reason I post all these threads of projects is to encourage people to have a go! We live in a world where people are becoming increasingly useless with fewer and fewer skills and all they want to do is buy their stuff and have no idea how to DIY. For the most part I'm not using any special gear unless I've made it myself.
I've taught at a couple of "re-wilding" camps for paying adults (and have two more this coming year) and always tell people that never before,in the history of humanity has access to information been easier than it is today and that the more you're prepared to have a go at, the more you'll find you can do therefore the more you'll be prepared to have a go at! I often hear people say "i couldn't do that" - who cares if you stuff up the first go! Have another go! At least you'll have learned how NOT to do it!
Get out in the shed and have a crack!

[juststarting]

Re-wilding? Do tell.

[Noisydad]

Re-wilding? Do tell.

Essentially it's a long scout camp with a slightly hippy element chucked in as well. Most participants are of an urban background but I've been a bit surprised at the lack of interest one way or the other regarding huntin, shootin fishin. They all had to bring a decent hunting style knife which brought most into contact for the first time with a gun shop. Actually on the firearms issues I've found them more interested than not.

[Baronvonrort]

You'll have fun pushing the awl through those 3 bits of heavy leather.

Buy something called a "Sailmakers Palm" to make it easier

[tom604]

just glue it and drill the holes,no need to bust a gut pushing a needle through leather, you have to glue the welt? (the bit that stops you cutting the thread whatever its called) in anyway ,small drill large needle,,an upholsterers needle is what i use but its double pointed so a no go with pushing it through with your palm looks like you have the bug, look forward to [url]all[url] the other knives, sheaths that you will have to make for friends,family, workmates

[Noisydad]

just glue it and drill the holes,no need to bust a gut pushing a needle through leather, you have to glue the welt? (the bit that stops you cutting the thread whatever its called) in anyway ,small drill large needle,,an upholsterers needle is what i use but its double pointed so a no go with pushing it through with your palm looks like you have the bug, look forward to [url]all[url] the other knives, sheaths that you will have to make for friends,family, workmates

I ended up marking out the 4 mm stitch length with dividers and pushing the awl in as far as it would go. Then I hammered a small nail right through and sewed it up using my "Speedy Stitcher" tool. Thought about drilling the holes and had go on some scrap but thought the holes looked a bit fluffy.Jobs not quite done. Pics tomorrow.

[on_one_wheel]

You'll have fun pushing the awl through those 3 bits of heavy leather.

Buy something called a "Sailmakers Palm" to make it easier

Buy ? ... I assume you mean make.

[Gwion]

A mate suggested I do a similar thing here, Noisy. He called it 'Man School' for the urbanised types with no exposure to blokey skills.

Learn to set up camp, catch a fish, cook in a camp oven, brew a beer and make a simple knife.......

[juststarting]

There's actually a term for these men, it's: lumbersexual. Essentially, projecting manliness to compensate for inability for basic skills like changing a tyre or even hunting. There a book some psychologist published last year that discusses this, name escapes me right now.

[tom604]

thought they were called girlfriends

[on_one_wheel]

There's actually a term for these men, it's: lumbersexual. Essentially, projecting manliness to compensate for inability for basic skills like changing a tyre or even hunting. There a book some psychologist published last year that discusses this, name escapes me right now.

We just call them hipsters where I come from.

[juststarting]

Oh, no, no no. Hipster is something entirely different!

[on_one_wheel]

I'm keen to see how noisy finishes his edges.

It's something that I've only just started to focus on after all these years, mainly because I've been doing more leather work for other people lately and have been looking for a more refined / well finished look.

[Noisydad]

Make a grooved burnishing stick with a selection of groove widths. Wet the edge of the leather and rub it hard with your stick till the leather is glossy.
Edit.... no this isn't an excuse for you dirty minded little boys! Lol
Made myself a stitching pony today. Should make work holding easier.

[Gwion]

Had a stitching horse when I was younger but it unfortunately is no more. It will definitely make life easier, Noisy.

[Rifle realist]

G Day Noisy & Gwion
One of you should become the next Ron Edwards. Need sumeone to continue the bush craft. Sad that he is gone, his books are great.

[Gwion]

I nominate Noisy. I'm just a keen ameteur.

[darwindingo]

I second the nomination

After meeting up and having a good yarn, I can see that I can learn many (of the old way) fabricating skills from him...