A year ago, after the Arkansas knife show I had a leather sheath class from the best...Paul Long. Then a couple days after Christmas I went back to his shop to purchase his sewing machine (autographed I might add) since he upgraded to a new machine. I knew before, and know even stronger after this cowboy hunter project that I'm money ahead to send my knives to Paul and let him do what he's good at and I can continue on with the next knife while the previous knife is on its way to Texas.
But....it was killing me to not try out this machine plus I wasn't sure if I had retained any of the knowledge Paul shared for 3 days. So I had to go for it. 4 days later I had a sheath and a deer skin lined leather presentation case. I could have made another knife of some sort in those 4 days.
Since the age of 18 I was making bits, spurs and western accessories. So in the mid 80's my knives started out looking very western. This cowboy hunter project was a reflection back to my early knifemaking roots. 4.5" of Turkish feather Damascus. A 416 stainless boot spur guard with a functional spinning 24 carat gold rowel. Fossil walrus ivory with a 24 carat gold lariat roping the spur guard, spiraling the ivory, then tucking away under the 14 carat gold plated stainless steel cowboy hat pommel. And the whole thing is a takedown. A lizard skin inlayed sheath and the deer skin lined case with a roping cowboy scene. Western stuff ain't for everyone I know, but my Texas roots still run strong in my blood even though I live in Arkansas now.
I hope Mr. Long isn't too disappointed in his student.
But....it was killing me to not try out this machine plus I wasn't sure if I had retained any of the knowledge Paul shared for 3 days. So I had to go for it. 4 days later I had a sheath and a deer skin lined leather presentation case. I could have made another knife of some sort in those 4 days.
Since the age of 18 I was making bits, spurs and western accessories. So in the mid 80's my knives started out looking very western. This cowboy hunter project was a reflection back to my early knifemaking roots. 4.5" of Turkish feather Damascus. A 416 stainless boot spur guard with a functional spinning 24 carat gold rowel. Fossil walrus ivory with a 24 carat gold lariat roping the spur guard, spiraling the ivory, then tucking away under the 14 carat gold plated stainless steel cowboy hat pommel. And the whole thing is a takedown. A lizard skin inlayed sheath and the deer skin lined case with a roping cowboy scene. Western stuff ain't for everyone I know, but my Texas roots still run strong in my blood even though I live in Arkansas now.
I hope Mr. Long isn't too disappointed in his student.
but your work is incredible on all accounts
