Your COVID19 responses (projects you’re doing), let’s see ‘em, and mine (86 splitback whittler mod)

[Sharp & Fiery]

Sharp & Fiery that sheath turned out great, your wife is an amazing artist!!

Eric

Eric,

Thank you...my portion is a little “rough around the edges”, but yes, she is very talented. I showed her your post, and she said thank you. She also blushed a little because, contrary to what i tell her, she doesnt think she is that good. :/ I told her “when Thorburn tells you you should get into engraving,” you’re that good. Lol. Wish I could post her other work as it is ridiculous! She also woodburns and scrims. Im a lucky guy!

I requested a gnarly tree, not too realistic but with some detail. Birds were a must. I think she nailed it.
I should post a shot of the other side too.

 

[JohnDF]

Started by cleaning out the garage, which was a big job.
We had some remodeling done and the garage became the storage for all.
The final goal is to have my leather shop setup and ready to go by Summer.
I'm starting with the small leather bench and will be re-practicing my skills on small projects.
Later, I will set up the big bench and get back into making saddles and tack. But I need a little practice first.

Pulled out the trunk full of tools and patterns


There was a whole lot of stuff crammed in there


Got all my tools organized into drawers


I think i'm ready to start some practice projects

 

[Hickory n steel]

Well I've got me a knife project on its way, should be just a 1 day thing not counting epoxy drying times.

Nothing too special, just a decent condition imperial frontier 422 with a damaged handle scale.
Should be a pretty standard affair, just new scales a sheath and a good edge.
I'm gonna keep it simple and just use the walnut I've got laying around I think.

 

[dantzk8]

I should post a shot of the other side too.

Yes, you should. I'm impressed by your wife's work. Having failed at much more simple drawings on leather, i'm admirative. Congrats to her.

Dan.

 

[Old Hunter]

My projects so far have been too big for a pocketknife to be the major tool, but I’ve used one none the less. Last weekend I built some rough shelving for bulk storage in the garage - spent 20 hours over three days doing that job (a lot of time spent the first day moving stuff out of the way, etc. My inspector approved that job, now done and garage is being slowly organized. OH

 

[Old Hunter]

Yesterday I pulled the bunks off my boat trailer because the “L” brackets were rusting away - salt water eats up everything eventually - maintenance never ends! The edged tool I used was a cold chisel to break off layers of rusted steel so I could get my Vise Grip on the old screws (heads mostly rusted away). Put heavy duty aluminum brackets in place of the steel bracket. That Vise Grip was my Grandad’s - my Grandma gave it to me when my Grandad passed over 42 years ago - they are a very useful tool. OH

 

[sunknife]

Started by cleaning out the garage, which was a big job.
We had some remodeling done and the garage became the storage for all.
The final goal is to have my leather shop setup and ready to go by Summer.
I'm starting with the small leather bench and will be re-practicing my skills on small projects.
Later, I will set up the big bench and get back into making saddles and tack. But I need a little practice first.

Pulled out the trunk full of tools and patterns


There was a whole lot of stuff crammed in there


Got all my tools organized into drawers


I think i'm ready to start some practice projects

Very nice work station John, everything looks so tidy and well organized. Having that natural light and view at the window sure is a bonus too. Would enjoy seeing some of your craft when you're up and running. Although I know little about it I've always appreciated the skill and artistry required to craft saddlery. I also enjoy the craft os those who hand make custom boots.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Started by cleaning out the garage, which was a big job.
We had some remodeling done and the garage became the storage for all.
The final goal is to have my leather shop setup and ready to go by Summer.
I'm starting with the small leather bench and will be re-practicing my skills on small projects.
Later, I will set up the big bench and get back into making saddles and tack. But I need a little practice first.

Pulled out the trunk full of tools and patterns


There was a whole lot of stuff crammed in there


Got all my tools organized into drawers


I think i'm ready to start some practice projects

Oh! That trunk is awesome! I may be slightly jealous of all your leather working tools.
Excellent organizational skills, I can relate. A clean, organized shop promotes creativity for me.
Can’t wait to see your projects!

 

[JohnDF]

Nice work. I can appreciate extra storage.

Very nice work station John, everything looks so tidy and well organized. Having that natural light and view at the window sure is a bonus too. Would enjoy seeing some of your craft when you're up and running. Although I know little about it I've always appreciated the skill and artistry required to craft saddlery. I also enjoy the craft os those who hand make custom boots.

Oh! That trunk is awesome! I may be slightly jealous of all your leather working tools.
Excellent organizational skills, I can relate. A clean, organized shop promotes creativity for me.
Can’t wait to see your projects!

Thanks guys. I was a saddle maker for many years before I had kids and needed to make more money to support a family. It will be fun to get back into it as a hobby and potentially make a little side money. I'll be sure to post some projects as I get to them.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Yes, you should. I'm impressed by your wife's work. Having failed at much more simple drawings on leather, i'm admirative. Congrats to her.

Dan.

Dan, I added a backside shot to the original post as to not clutter up the thread too much.
My wife appreciates the kind words.

 

[JohnDF]

I like the way this thread focuses on the positive aspects of the situation we find ourselves in.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

I like the way this thread focuses on the positive aspects of the situation we find ourselves in.

Amen to that, John.

 

[JohnDF]

I forgot how much I love spending time in the shop...

 

[dcpritch]

I love the variety of things folks are doing in these unusual days. We woke up to 9” of fresh snow this morning which, combined with high winds, has left us without power.



I’ve been able to continue working from home but at a slower pace than if I were at the office. With my extra time I’ve been going through my knife drawer and appreciating some of the treasures there:



For many years I have tapped our maple trees for making syrup and this year is no different, except I have a new wood-fired evaporator that boils sap way faster than my old method.

Tapping trees



Collecting sap from 50+ taps



splitting wood



boiling sap



all to get some of this



I also started restoring and re-hanging some axes, just finished the first part of rust removal

 

[Ramrodmb]

Eric,

Thank you...my portion is a little “rough around the edges”, but yes, she is very talented. I showed her your post, and she said thank you. She also blushed a little because, contrary to what i tell her, she doesnt think she is that good. :/ I told her “when Thorburn tells you you should get into engraving,” you’re that good. Lol. Wish I could post her other work as it is ridiculous! She also woodburns and scrims. Im a lucky guy!

I requested a gnarly tree, not too realistic but with some detail. Birds were a must. I think she nailed it.
I should post a shot of the other side too.

Oh yeah, she nailed it. The artwork is fantastic. I'd love to see more.
Nice job on the sheath too. My compliments to both of you!

 

[I'mSoSharp]

Glad to see folks using the time to get stuff done.
I picked up a very rusty sewing machine some time ago that someone had thrown out & collected some other bits n pieces with an idea I'd seen online, there they stood...... & stood......
Until a few days ago.....

 

[JOELSM]

I ordered some unfinished briarwood pipes and have dabbled with modifying and finishing them. These are the first 3.

The pipe on the right is an example of a unfinished pipe.

AGR pipe knife for relevances

Every year my brothers, father, uncle, cousins and nephews meet up for a “men’s camping trip. (Multi-generational). One of the things we enjoy is sitting around the fire drinking beer or whiskey while smoking pipes or cigars. I plan to hand out these pipes to those who partake this year . I have 3 more to finish. Hoping the lockdown ends by July so we can continue with the trip.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

I ordered some unfinished briarwood pipes and have dabbled with modifying and finishing them. These are the first 3.

The pipe on the right is an example of a unfinished pipe.

AGR pipe knife for relevances

Every year my brothers, father, uncle, cousins and nephews meet up for a “men’s camping trip. (Multi-generational). One of the things we enjoy is sitting around the fire drinking beer or whiskey while smoking pipes or cigars. I plan to hand out these pipes to those who partake this year . I have 3 more to finish. Hoping the lockdown ends by July so we can continue with the trip.

I’ll be there! hehe.
Excellent work there. What do you use as a sealant coat? Or nothing at all?

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Glad to see folks using the time to get stuff done.
I picked up a very rusty sewing machine some time ago that someone had thrown out & collected some other bits n pieces with an idea I'd seen online, there they stood...... & stood......
Until a few days ago.....

Holy smokes! This is awesome!

What an awesome thread!! So so much creativity from all. This thread just puts a big stupid smile on my face. Thank you to all.

 

[willard0341]

Fun parts of the build are now done. The rest is just applying BLO and waiting for it to dry between coats. Few days until I can band it up and try it out.

Pins ground flush

Sanding/shaping done, ready for first coat of BLO

And hanging to wait for first coat to dry

That is the neatest thing ive seen in awhile.