Critique my Work!

Mark Behnke

Mark Behnke

Joined
Apr 16, 2008
Messages
814
Help, my quality of work seems to be stuck.jakes sheath 007.jpgjakes sheath 047.jpgjakes sheath 046.jpg
 

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Stuck on "good to go" maybe.....I like what I see. I guess there's a little room for nit-pickin, but I'll leave that to the nit-pickers.
I say good solid work, in construction and finishing....very nice edging.
 
No critique from me. Don't want to be known as a nit picker. I will say you might not like the results if you SOAK it in Neatsfoot Oil. It would probably be better to apply the neatsfoot a little at a time with a wool pad until you get it where you think it should be. More is definitely not better.

Paul
 
Thanks for your advice and kind words. My biggest concern is the kind of dirty look.


Maybe we can ferret out the nits, without picking.

I get a glue line (contact cement) on my edges.
How do I avoid that?

One layer on my edges always seems to sand lower making an uneven edge surface. (not the best leather but it's all that I've ever used, it's almost gone)

A lot of areas seem to be dirty, or appear dirty, any advice ?

Using flax thread waxed, would like a recommendation for a cleaner looking thread.

I did try a little neatsfoot oil on a scrap to see if I like it.

Thanks Mark
 
A little confession is good for the soul. If your leather is not very good then your work will also be "not very good". Don't know what your time is worth, but for me if I have crap leather, it's cheaper to junk it and get good stuff. After all these years I just make sure I don't get crap leather.

Wash your hands often and keep a clean work area. Oxalic Acid (wood bleach) will clean up most "dirty" areas on your leather. Hardware store or lumber yard for a source. It is highly poison so exercise caution when using and storing.

Uneven sanded edges is almost always Pilot error. If you are doing it by hand, glue some 100 grit on a paint stir wood paddle and use that. It should help quite a lot keeping things level.

Glue on the edges is again mostly pilot error. Slow down and for pete's sake invest in a decent glue pot with a good brush and see how much easier gluing can be. You also might need to thin your glue, but if you are using glue from a tube that is not an option. One more reason to buy a glue pot.

I do not hand sew any more so I'd be ill advised to coach you on thread choice. Nearly all waxed thread will look dirty when you are finished.

Finally look at the bottom of this post. See that link for the Instructional DVD? Not trying to peddle those things, but they do in fact, demonstrate so many of the things we talk about here, including what I have just written.

Good Luck

Paul
 
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Thanks Paul
How did you know I was using the stir stick to apply glue instead of on my edges. The glue pot and brush are on my list and Wicket and Craig are going to get a visit now.

I have your DVD and have watched it several times, time to watch again and take notes.
 
I think its great; I see no problem with as the stitching is perfect and you went for a natural finish so no problem. I would say your good to go!
 
Now I do not know ANYTHING at all about leather working. I haven't tried it myself. I've only made a few sheaths from kydex. But what is the square coming out at where the tip of the blade would be on the bottom layer? If that wasn't there and the bottom layer of the leather was cut out the same as the top I think it would look even better than it already does. But again I don't know anything about leather and that little square might have a purpose.
 
When you are done stitching, do you rub the stitching down then go back over it with an overstitch wheel?
 
Keegaroo, Thanks for the thumbs -up

Emerson15, The tab needs 2 holes punched for a paracord leg tie, I should have done this before posting.

popedandy, I have used the overstich wheel after, and find that if my stitches are just right it helps, if I'm a little long or off a bit it will spread the thread. I do need to buff my stitching more and I think the non colored saddle soap would help for a cleaner look.

Any hand stitchers have thread recommendations?

Thanks
Mark
 
Hi,
I said before, I thing you did a great job! As far as the overall clean looks goes, my advice is to keep your hands and the working area tidy. About stitching. I use nylon or prewaxed, braided (not twisted) threads. They wont spread and you can easly finnish the thread by burning the end. Preparing the stitch groove and choosing the right thread is also important. If you make the groove too deep and/or take to thin thread, it might sink in to much. As a result you might get very thin stitch line and visible groove edges. And of course keep the groove straight.

Hope it helps a bit.
Mat
 
I'm a big fan of the natural look for leather, looks good to me, but I'm not a "knives are jewelry" kinda guy. I guess it looks like pressed khaki pants, not flashy but definitely not grungy.

Simple design works well too. :thumbup:
 
markb said:
Keegaroo, Thanks for the thumbs -up

Emerson15, The tab needs 2 holes punched for a paracord leg tie, I should have done this before posting.

popedandy, I have used the overstich wheel after, and find that if my stitches are just right it helps, if I'm a little long or off a bit it will spread the thread. I do need to buff my stitching more and I think the non colored saddle soap would help for a cleaner look.

Any hand stitchers have thread recommendations?

Thanks
Mark
Click to expand...
Oh now that makes perfect sense. I think it looks great. Are you planning on adding any tooling to it or dying it? Or is this one going to be a natural finish.
 
Emerson,Thanks
Trying to get my work to look like the link to mkleathers work in post #14, then on to dyes and tooling.
 
Make sure your leather is completely dry when gluing layers as well. My glue line was TRAGIC before I let things completely dry.

In addition Paul's DVD - check out Chuck Burrow's DVD. He shows how he hand stitches - so you may be able to glean something from it as well.

TF
 
I'm guilty of rushing the glue and using glue that is too thick.
Thanks to everyone for your kind comments and tips, I'm hoping my next one will show improvement.

Mark
 
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