COWBOYS, COWBOYS, AND MORE COWBOYS!

There he is folks . . . Mr. Legendary Leather . . . in the flesh (or would that be "rawhide"). What a weekend he has had! Mr. Legendary Leather spent some time with the Cowboy crowd out in Norco this weekend. Mr. Legendary Leather was invited to join the "mercantile" posse and sell his wares. What a great group of people! One would have thought that this was still the wild west! There were cowboys everywhere you turned! Yup, the code of the west is still alive and well. With the Ambush at Mill Creek, this weekend's SASS match was dedicated to the "bandidos" of the west . . . I think Mr. Legendary Leather themed in pretty well, don't you? I'd have to say his leather goods were a hit! He's going to have to work hard to make up his inventory. I couldn't tell you which was moving faster . . . the compliments, the money, or the wind! Mighty breezy out there considerin' we're city folks! We were whipped around like a tumbleweed on the tail of a bobcat! That didn't stop them thar cowboys . . . thems are sum serious shooters! And Mr. Legendary Leather thanks them all for the opportunity to participate in their little part of the old west and for 'giving him occassion' to rub elbows with 'sum mighty fine varmints'!

WesternSpice took the opportunity to partake in the western atmosphere, also.

Can you believe she's wearing Mrs. Legendary Leather's old prom dress in this one??

A PAUSE FOR THE CAUSE . . .

Well, Mr. Legendary Leather has taken a quick break from his "special request" project for Mr. Top Brass in Arizona. Mr. Legendary Leather couldn't supress his latest creative vision any longer and decided to craft it for sale in his Etsy shop. Take a look at this pair of "Hair on Hide" Spur Straps, complete with spurs!

Yup, this is another "first" for Mr. Legendary Leather. He knew he could work the raw bovine hide, but was curious what it would be like to craft the "hairy hide" of that good ol' bovine. I think Mr. LL has been readin' too many of them thar cowboy books, cuz his vision was rough-crafted style spur straps, as though they had been crafted all those years ago . . . maybe along the trail at the campfire, or perhaps in the bunkhouse after a long day's work out on the range. Not only did he craft the spur straps, but he also stripped the paint off the spurs, embellished them with pounded copper pennies, and then finished those spurs off with a touch of gun blueing giving them that old antiqued look . . . straps complimenting spurs, spurs complimenting straps.

 For more details on this set, or if you are interested in purchasing them for your next work-out on the ranch, visit www.Etsy.com/shop/MrLegendaryLeather

FABRIC IS SELECTED . . .

Well, I know it's a little hard to tell from the photo, but fabric has been selected for the "Top Brass" project. Up until this point, Mr. Legendary Leather has yet to reveal the specified project. However, I can assure you that it is not in the realm of Mr. Legendary Leather's typical leather crafting. No sheaths, spurs, holsters, hatbands, or chaps. It has already been revealed that an old deer buckskin (minus the bullet hole) is involved and fabric is also needed. In this case, Mr. Top Brass (from Arizona) has requested a coordinating color similar to the buckskin as opposed to a darker contrasting color. Mr. Legendary Leather found a shimmering mustardy gold color to compliment the deer hide. It has a satin/silky feel to it but is actually a polyester. Mr. Legendary Leather was given some advice as to what type of material would be best being that this project eventually will have to endure 'sweat' . . . got any clues yet?

THE FIRST CUTS HAVE BEEN MADE . . .

Well, Mr. Legendary Leather worked through his hesitations and has made the first cuts on the new project that Mr. Top Brass (from Arizona) has requested. This project will require some additional fabric additions and a few consultations, however Mr. Legendary Leather is confident. Even though this project is way out of his normal realm of crafting, he is willing to prove that it can be done!

OCCASSIONAL APPREHENSION WITH THE FIRST CUT . . .

Have you ever noticed that some creative projects come with such ease, it's like you've hit the lottery? Other projects turn out to be harder than you thought they would be, and you wonder why you even attempted such a journey? And yet another scenario is that you've got the ideas flowing, but you're not quite sure how to take that first step? Well, even Mr. Legendary Leather runs into this problem "once in a blue moon". Sometimes it's not so much the execution, but the valuable materials that you are working with that cause the apprehension. Mr. Legendary Leather ran into this problem when making his cowboy boot chaps (botas). The ideas were ready to explode like a volcano, but the latigo leather he would use for the project was not easily found and prevented him from comfortably making the "first cut". As you can see, he overcame his apprehension. The cowboy boot chaps (botas) came out wonderful and are highly praised.

Well, Mr. Legendary Leather finds himself in the same predicament. He has an elite customer requesting a very specific project done by Mr. Legendary Leather. Not only is this guy "top brass", but he has supplied the one-of-a-kind leather he would like used for his request. What makes the leather so special? Turns out that it is a vintage deerskin. Mr. Top Brass, from Arizona, shot this deer over 45 years ago and has kept the hide all these years. Now ladies, don't be so sad. I would be the first to be feeling meloncholy for the deer, however, this "deed" took place so long ago, we don't need to go there. This is one nice piece of deerskin. I can understand why Mr. Legendary Leather is so hesitant. Not only does he have to answer to Mr. Top Brass, but he wants this nice piece of leather to continue on in a specifically requested "new art form". Honor the beautiful animal who gave its life. I'll let you know if I see Mr. Legendary Leather "sweating bullets" over this project. If so, we'll just gather up them thar bullet casings and save them for a future project!

Is that a bullet hole I see smack-dab in the middle of the deerskin?

THE LAND OF KNIVES . . .

Oh my goodness! Have you ever seen so many knives in one place before? Well, Mr. Legendary Leather took his "wares" to the Cowboy Swapmeet held in front of Walker 47 at Hobby City yesterday. In the process, we found some old knife/sheath sets that Mr. Legendary Leather had crafted years ago. It was interesting to see his old primitive sheaths compared to his recently carved, western versions. They sure make for a wide variety of "personalities". The good thing for Mr. Legendary Leather's Etsy Shop fans, he will now make some of these knife/sheath sets available in his shop! You may also view them right here on his blog. He will be adding them to his long list of photos posted in his side bar . . . "happy perusing"!

This is just a "portion" of Mr. Legendary Leather's knife/sheath sets.

Do I see a . . . is that a . . . I do believe I see a coyote jaw in there!

Older primitive style knife sheath compared to most recent western style carved sheath.



THE BIG REVEAL . . .

Well, here it is . . . the big reveal! What was it that Mr. Legendary Leather was "a craftin' for them thar cowgirls?"

Yeeeeeehaaaaaw! Them thars is some mighty fine cowgirl cuffs!



Yup! That's what Mr. Legendary Leather has been working on. Did you see that one coming? Had you guessed correctly? Now that the project is finished, we're all "ooooooin' and aaaaaawin" around here on how cool they look. I think Mr. Legendary Leather has outdone himself on this one.

The permanent lacing and star snaps, complimented by the western carving, sure add a nice touch to this project. Any SASS competition shooting cowgirls out there need a pair of cuffs?

DETAILING . . . CHECK! DYE JOB . . . CHECK! ON TO THE LINING!

Mr. Legendary Leather has completed the detailing and the dye job. He has chosen to put a "lining" on this particular project and that is the next stage. For those of you who may not understand this concept, it simply means he will be using a thinner sheet of leather to finish off the back side of this project giving it a finer, finished look. This involves a little more work, but the result is a more polished looking handicraft. He will occassionally line some of his knife sheaths and holsters depending on the nature of the project.

Still no ideas as to what he's making for "them thar cowgirls"? I have a feeling his next blog posting will give you a better idea and most likely reveal the project. I think you're really going to be pleased with the "reveal".

With detailing and dye job complete, Mr. Legendary Leather prepares to add the lining (seen laying underneath the leather) to the back of the project.

This photo shows the wonderfully detailed relief of this project.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE DETAILS . . .

Adding the details to a project involving carved leather is what draws an admirer into taking a closer look at a handmade piece that has caught his/her attention and ultimately "makes or breaks" the buyers urge to purchase a piece. Take a closer look at how Mr. Legendary Leather continues the detailing stage on his next project for the cowgirls . . .

The left hand side of the leather has yet to be detailed.

ANY GUESSES ON WHAT MR. LEGENDARY LEATHER IS MAKING?

In the last post, we saw the beginnings of Mr. Legendary Leather's new project which he claims will be "sumtin" for the cowgirls. We were able to see what the transferred pattern looked like on the leather, and were also able to see the first stages of the "cutting/carving" process. In these new pictures, we can see that Mr. Legendary Leather has finished the "cutting/carving" stage as well as sneaking in the "beveling" stage. He is now about to begin the next stage, which is "detailing". This gives you a good idea of what is involved in making a "carved" project with leather. There are definitely many stages to the whole process, but as you will soon be able to see, well worth the effort! Now, how many of you noticed that there are two identical pieces that Mr. Legendary Leather is working on for them thar cowgirls? This could be a huge clue as to what he may be making. Any guesses yet?

Transferring, cutting/carving, and beveling stages are done. Now on to the detailing.

Minor "details" are beginning to show.

FOR COWGIRLS??

Sorry, I didn't mean to leave you hanging in our last post. Some of you may have been shocked to hear that Mr. Legendary Leather is working on a "little sumtin" for them thar cowgirls out there. Don't feel ashamed . . . I'm just as shocked as you! What in the world could he possibly be making that would appeal to cowgirls? Well, here's a hint with some pictures that Mr. Legendary Leather reluctantly let me take. I told him that his adoring public is curious and we need to keep those "three followers" happy. It looks as though he has
transferred the pattern to the leather and has begun the "cutting " process.

The pencil outlines of the transferred pattern are shown in the upper right hand corner of the leather and the cutting/carving has begun in the lower left hand corner of the leather. 

Any guesses on what he might be craftin'?

HE'S ON A ROLL!

Watch out! Mr. Legendary Leather is hot! Look at this project that he whipped out in a couple of days. We're going to call this one the "Russell Green River Works" project because that is what is faintly stamped on the knife blade. If you would like more information on how Mr. Legendary Leather made this set or if you are interested in purchasing it, go to his shop on Etsy at www.Etsy.com/shop/MrLegendaryLeather.

I hear rumor that Mr. Legendary Leather is working on a project that might be of interest to those "cowgirls" out there . . . this would be another "first" for Mr. Legendary Leather! Stay tuned!

HE'S BACK ON TRACK . . .

Well, Mr. Legendary Leather has "delivered" as promised. He has finished the magazine/ammunition case! This was intended to match the 1911 western-style holster that he finished a couple of weeks ago. This magazine/ammunition case is a different style from previous cases he has made. He fashioned this one to be easier to get on and off the shooter's belt. In previous styles, one had to undo their belt to slide the case on or off. This particular one has snaps on the back so that you can simply unsnap the magazine/ammunition case as opposed to undoing the belt. Hmmmm, sounds easier to me. However, I was more curious to see how closely Mr. Legendary Leather was going to match the magazine/ammunition case to his 1911 western-style holster. I think he did a pretty good job . . . what do you think? Makes a nice set, don't you think?

1911 Western Style Holster with matching magazine/ammunition case

1911 Magazine/Ammunition Case

EXPECT THE "UNEXPECTED"

Well, if there's one thing I've learned in all these years being married to Mr. Legendary Leather, it's to always "expect the unexpected"! Yup, look what that varmint snuck in right under our noses! While he was supposed to be working on an ammunition/magazine case to match his most recent project which involved the 1911 Western Style Holster, he instead put together another knife and sheath set. That man can not stay away from knives . . . even if his life depended on it! Oh well, let's go with the flow. This "Stamped Western Sheath with an Antler/Stacked Leather Handled Bowie Knife" is a bit out of the ordinary for Mr. Legendary Leather. He is most inclined to dye his leather a medium to dark brown in color. This naturally colored sheath goes nicely with the antler-handled knife . . . don't you agree? By the way, where's that ammunition/magazine case you promised us, Mr. Legendary Leather??

Stamped Western Sheath with Antler/Stacked Leather Handled Bowie Knife

WILD BUNCH ANYBODY?

Mr. Legendary Leather has just completed another project. Something a little different from any of his other projects. He has decided to make a holster that would appeal to the Cowboy Single Action Shooting Assoc. (SASS) crowd . . . this 1911 Western-Style Holster fits a 5" standard barrel 1911 pistol. This holster would look great used in a Wild Bunch side-match associated with SASS. Mr. Legendary Leather has decided that the next project will be the creation of a magazine/ammunition case that will match this holster. I'm anxious to see how well he can match the color and style. Stay tuned . . .

1911 Western Style Holster

A closer look at the hand stamped design on the 1911 Western Style Holster

ANOTHER PROJECT UNDER HIS BELT - CARTRIDGE BELT, THAT IS . . . . . .

Well, you guessed it. Mr. Legendary Leather has finished his special request to make a new 22 LR cartridge belt to replace a well-loved and worn-out one. After the lengthy stitching process, minor details finished up the project . . . such as staining and smoothing the leather on the back side of the belt, trimming leather, and adding rivets to secure the belt buckle and cartidge loop flaps. Finally, a misting of water along the cartridge loops to better shape their form to hold the bullets. Well . . . what do you think? Was Mr. Legendary Leather able to satisfy the customer's request of "plain and simple" and restrain himself from adding extras to his own liking? Even Mr. Legendary Leather will admit that he accomplished the task and in the process added another dimension to his varied style of leather crafting.

A STITCH IN TIME . . . . .

Mr. Legendary Leather is moving right along on this project. He has dyed the leather and begun stitching the thin piece of leather (that will form the loops to hold the 22 LR bullets) to the belt. Very similar to the time consuming step of measuring and drilling the stitch holes, the actual hand-stitching process requires a few hours of patience and labor. Mr. Legendary Leather does not own a sewing machine that is able to sew through leather like many other leather crafters use to speed up the process. His items are all hand-stitched. Stop and think about it. Stitching a thick piece of wax thread through two layers of leather . . . my fingers ache just thinking about it. Often times, Mr. Legendary Leather uses a small pair of pliers to guide the needle through the thick pieces of leather.

As he forms each loop, Mr. Legendary Leather places a 22 LR bullet inside that loop to let the leather stretch and form to the bullet itself. He comments that you don't see too many cartridge belts for 22 LRs for the simple reason that the bullets are so small and crafting a belt to hold such bullets is very time consuming because the loops are many and quite small. Most shooters will just store these bullets in some type of pouch because of their size . . . it's just easier. But to some, the look and feel of a cartridge belt around their belly gives them a sense for the rustic old west and how things must have been all that long time ago . . . a time where hand crafting an item was the only way things were made.

Stitching the thin piece of leather, that will form the loops to hold the 22 LR bullets, to the belt itself.

The bullets are placed in each loop after it is stitched to start the stretching process.

A view of the stitching from the back side of the belt.

THE PROCESS BEGINS - MAKING A SIMPLE CARTRIDGE BELT . . . .

When last we left you, Mr. Legendary Leather had received a request to make a cartridge belt that would hold 22 LR (for those of you who aren't familiar with LR . . . Long Rifle) bullets. With all his materials on hand, Mr. Legendary Leather has begun the process. Starting with a trimmed down leather belt blank (7-8 oz), a small strip of a very thin 2 oz leather (this piece will form the loops that hold the bullets), and a belt buckle. He first trims all pieces of leather to the necessary length and width. This step also includes tapering the tip of the belt, making holes on the tip of the belt, and getting ready for the addition of the belt buckle. The next step of carefully measuring and drilling holes in which the stitching will take place, is probably the most time consuming. The measurements for the holes must be accurate and one must have a steady hand to drill the miniscule holes (approximately 288) that will be used for the stitching. Now that you are familiar with process up to this point, and after examining the photos below, you can't help but truly appreciate the time and craftsmanship that is involved with handmade goods!

All pieces have been cut and trimmed . . . holes measured and drilled.

A closer view of the miniscule holes required to begin the stitching process.

WHAT'S NEW IN THE SHOP?

Well, I asked Mr. Legendary Leather if he had any new projects in the works. Turns out that he's just about to start on a "special request". Mr. Legendary Leather has been asked to create a new cartridge belt to replace an old one that a customer has worn through. The customer would simply like a replacement . . . meaning that he wants it to look like the old one. Nothing fancy, nothing added . . . plainly done like the original. This will give us a chance to see how Mr. Legendary Leather is able to create what the customer asks for as opposed to creating a piece that is to his own liking. Will he be able to "contain" himself and create a piece within the parameters of the customer's request? We will have to wait and see.

An old worn and over-oiled cartridge belt that has seen better days.

Through many years of use, taking bullets in and out of the small loops, the leather becomes worn and tattered.

THE FINISHED PRODUCT . . .

For those of you who have been waiting to see which method Mr. Legendary Leather chose to finish his sheath for the spring-buck bone handled knife . . . here it is! He chose to use wax thread to sew the back and front panels together. A bit less fancy than adding rivets or tacks, however I believe this gives the sheath a nice refined finish and doesn't distract from the beautiful carving he worked so hard to achieve.

Now for the bad news. If  you were hoping to buy this sheath and claim it as your own . . . Mr. Legendary Leather has chosen to keep it and display it among his other "bovine hide" creations. However, there's always special orders that he is happy to accomodate!

The hand carving compliments the handle of this knife nicely.

THE "DYE JOB" IS COMPLETE!

Well, I snuck out to the garage to see if Mr. Legendary Leather has made anymore progress on his latest creation. I was in suspense as to what color he would be using on this sheath. Well, here it is! What do you think of the color?

As you can see, he chose to leave the backing of the sheath plain on this one. It looks as though he has used the same shape and style of sheath that originally came with the knife . . . flipping over the top side of the backing to form the loop (allowing placement on a belt) before he glued the two sides together.

Since glue is only a temporary way to hold the front to the back, Mr. Legendary Leather now needs to take the next step in the decision process. Will he chose to stitch the back to the front . . . possibly lace the two sides together . . . or will he use brass tacks or maybe even some rivets? So many decisions to make . . .

The backside of the new sheath.

Hand carving and stamping shown on the front of the sheath.

JUST A HINT . . .

Well, just like you, I couldn't wait to see what Mr. Legenday Leather has decided upon for his beautiful spring-buck leg bone handled knife . . . so I went out to the "shop" for a peek.  Oooooooo! It looks like this will be one of his hand carved creations combined with a bit of stamping . . . nice choice, don't you think? I can see the crudely shaped outline of his design in the bottom left hand corner of the sheath, but I also see how nicely it takes shape when he adds the stamping to the top right hand side. Nice job Mr. Legendary Leather! I wonder what shade of dye he will end up using? How long do we have to wait to see that part of the project?

A rough hand carved pattern takes place before the compliments of the hand stamping begins.

A closer look at the details.

WHAT'S NEW IN THE SHOP?

Oh that's a riot . . . there is no "shop" . . . it's the garage! Yes, Mr. Legendary Leather does his leather-crafting in the garage. It's his "safe haven" and an escape to his world of the bovine hide!

Mr. Legendary Leather thought you might want a hint about what he's creating for his new project. Many years ago he purchased this spring-buck leg bone handled knife. As you can see, the sheath that accompanied it is rather plain . . . especially for such a fine looking knife. Are you as curious as I am to see what type of new sheath he will create for this beauty?

In the minds of some crafters, "plain and simple" needs to be remedied.