Lionheart Leather and Blades: A Year in Retrospect

Lionheart Leather and Blades: A Year in Retrospect: As another year comes to a close, we look back and reflect on the things that have happened. This past year has been full of wonderful bless...

A Year in Retrospect

As another year comes to a close, we look back and reflect on the things that have happened. This past year has been full of wonderful blessings as well as a few disappointments. If you are an optimist as I am, you tend to remember the good instead of the bad. I am very blessed to have a job that allows me to travel and visit places all over the Southeast.
 Between my regular appointments I have visited with my friend Marshall Thompson at Edges Knives in Moultrie, Georgia. Marshall is an expert in all types of edged weapons and he is a great friend . Then as you travel north through Geogia, and cross the North Carolina line , you come into Otto N.C. and there you will find Culpepper and Co.with the most complete line of Knife making products you will ever need. They have converted an old schoolhouse into their showroom and warehouse. Cross over into Tennessee and right next to the Smokey Mountain Knife Works you will see an old house standing in the front parking area. In that 19th century house you will meet Ken Largin, a master bladesmith and the founder of Kelgin Knifemakers CoOp.
This year was also the founding of the Alabama Leather Guild, a longtime dream of mine. Then I was able to have a table at the Alabama Gun Collectors Gun show at the BJCC, it was so good that I had to join the Association because this is a really great bunch of guys. Teen Challenge of Alabama, choose a knife and sheath to be given as the grand prize to the annual skeet shoot fund raiser , that was a great day, and they raised a lot of money for a wonderful cause.
I even got my 15 seconds of fame, when our segment was chosen by Fred Hunter to be shown on the Christmas Special " Absolutely Alabama " on Fox 6.
I would like to thank the Custom Knife makers that I have had the pleasure to work with. Mike Naylor, Ray Fincher and Ken Largin. These men are great craftsmen as well as artists. I am proud to know them as well as call them FRIEND !
Probably, the best thing that has happened this year , was that my talented artist wife  Debra is now working with me , and making the most beautiful "hand bound" leather journals in the world !
I give thanks to the Lord for my many blessings, and look forward to another year with his help.

Lionheart Leather and Blades: The New Alabama Leather Guild

Lionheart Leather and Blades: The New Alabama Leather Guild: Doing leather work for the past many years, I have always wanted to be a part of the International Leather Guild. The fact that the closest ...

The New Alabama Leather Guild

Doing leather work for the past many years, I have always wanted to be a part of the International Leather Guild. The fact that the closest guild is in Georgia just was not working out for me , and many of my leather working friends. A group of us got our heads together and decided to work on staring our own Alabama guild. We put out a signup sheet at the Tandy Store in Hoover, and to our surprise we had quite a group that were interested.

After just three meetings , we have properly named our Guild , elected officers , developed a Logo , and are working on the process of becoming part of the International Leather Guild.

We have a very diverse group of leather workers in our guild. There are new crafters that have just started, and people who have been in the craft , since I was back in the Boy Scouts. My friend Ray Sword ( a very accomplished leather crafter himself ) brought his mentor, Mr Jimmy Allen to our last meeting, and Mr Allen shared much of his expertise with our group.

                                            Mr. Jimmy Allen

We have so many talented people in the Guild , and are hoping to attact many more as we grow. So, the offer is out to anyone who does leather work , has ever done leather work , or would like to learn how to do leather work, come on in and join our Guild , you will have a geat time.

Gun Show

The Gun Collectors Association of Alabama (which I am a proud new member of) had their fall gun show at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center.

I had the opportunity to display my leather work with the work of Master bladesmith Ray Fincher. Ray creates a beautiful yet functional blade and adds exotic handles to complete a true work of art. All of Ray's knives are hand forged using the highest quality steels available, then they are heat treated and tested .
Considering the extreme high standard that goes into the knives, I do my best in using the highest quality in leather and skins to make the sheaths that will best compliment this fine cutlery.

We had a great two days at the show and met a lot of really great people. The Association members are some of the greatest people in the world, after all , if you love guns, you are pretty special. We are looking forward to the next show and hope to see more of our friends there.

Leather Journal Workshop

Saturday was our first Leather Journal Workshop at Tandy Leather in Hoover Alabama. We had a great group that were ready for a fun and creative day.

   

After a little bit of a late start ( everyone had to get to know each other) things started to get interesting . Debra showed the class several examples to give them different ideas and they just took off from there. Each person got to chose the color and accessories to make their journal personal for them.

                                                                      

The workshop caused quite a stir of activity at the store , and many of the customers that came in , signed up for the next class. We are going to have another class before Christmas, because everyone seemed to think that a journal would make the perfect Christmas present for that hard to buy for person on their list. 

 

We want to thank Mr. Chance Chancellor and his great staff for their help and cooperation in putting this workshop together and lokk forward to the next one. Thanks Tandy Leather.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Lionheart Leather and Blades: Great Fun for a Great Cause

Lionheart Leather and Blades: Great Fun for a Great Cause: I never thought that a clay pigeon could fly so fast, but they really go by faster than my old eyes can keep up with ! I had been asked to...

Great Fun for a Great Cause

I never thought that a clay pigeon could fly so fast, but they really go by faster than my old eyes can keep up with ! 

I had been asked to make a sheath for a knife that was being given away as the Grand Prize in a sporting clay tournament , which I was proud to do , and then asked to participate in the tournament itself. Well I was a little rusty with the old shotgun , as was soon made clear to everyone present ,but after all , it was for a very worthy cause.

The Alabama Teen Challenge put this tournament on to raise money for their center for young ladies , and it was held at the Selwood Farm facility in Childersburg , Alabama. This is a first class place with a wonderful staff of professionals and great equipment. The weather was great and the lunch they had prepared was fabulous , but I ate way too much.

The Knife my good friend Ray Fincher had made for this benefit was a total custom piece, that was hand forged and heat treated to last several lifetimes. Ray puts many hours of work into each and every knife he constructs, and when I say hours , it is better to refer to it as days.

When the tournament was over and the winner was announced , It was my turn to make the sheath for the new owner. Mr. Butch Jones from Leeds , Alabama was the winner and proud new owner. Mr Jones told me exactly what he wanted on the sheath which included the initials of his grandson since he was going to pass it down to him on his birthday.

I hope that Mr. Jones and his grandson will treasure this knife and sheath for many years.
It was an honor and great pleasure to be asked to help with such a worthy cause as Teen Challenge, and I hope that we can help next year as well.

It has been so long !

I started on a project many months ago for a very good friend of mine and I think he might have forgotten about it after all this time. The holster was for a "Mare's Leg" that was made popular by Steve McQueen in the TV western "Wanted Dead Or Alive".

I have made holsters in the past , but never anything of this magnitude. The original "Mare's Leg" just hung by the saddle ring on a flat piece of leather hanging from the gun belt, but this is a full length holster. To add to it ,the cartridge belt is fully lined to keep it from slipping down while wearing , and is accented with conchos.

This was quite an enjoyable, yet challenging , labor of love due to the fact it is totally hand made with no machinery used. My only hope is , his memory has not faded !
I would love to receive feedback on this holster, so for the first person to leave a comment I will send them a custom leather bracelet.

Invaded

When I get in from being on the road all week , I like to sit in my leather shop and plan on what I will be working on over the weekend. I walk in , sit down and realize that someone has been in.... MY STUFF !! A brand new side of leather has been cut up, tools are scattered, dye bottles are open and the whole place has been..........invaded !!!

My shop is not perfect , but I usually know where everything is and I can tell when someone has been messing around.

Well , after further investigation I got a confession from my artist wife. She had gotten the idea to teach herself Book binding, but needed to make a book to bind. She decided to make journals and they really turned out wonderful.

As it turns out, a good friend and co-worker was needing a gift to give two ladies from his Church  that were leaving on a Missionary trip to China. She added a little oriental bling and there they were, ready for a trip half way around the world.
I guess I will get over the invation of my space, but she didn't have to show me up so bad with the results !

Digging Out

As we try to understand the recent devastation that the massive storms brought to the Southeastern States, we look at how it has effected us both mentally and spirtually. I have watched many hours of news coverage and seen the footage that was shot from aircraft, this massive destruction is almost impossible for me to wrap my mind around. There are some people that have lost all their worldly possessions and the lives of loved ones, and some that have no place to go  after the dust has settled, yet through this ,they are praising the Lord. Then on the darker side, we see the low life sub-human groups that are taking advantage of the misery of these , looting and pillageing, which takes away from the first responders to have to protect property when they could be helping the victims. Seeing this was getting me very down, but I received a call from my church asking for anyone that was able to meet at the church to volunteer in the relief effort. Well , I put on my old grubbies,grabbed my chainsaw and took off, not fully knowing what to expect. The people just kept pulling into the lot, about fifty in all, male and female, young and old (like me) ,but all ready and willing to do what ever they could to help.

The pastor lead us in prayer before we departed and away we went, then came a wonderful surprise. The first place we came to actually sent our group away because they had too many people there already, can you believe there were too many volunteers ? We had to take alternate routes to get to our second place ,and were told that others needed help more than he did. Now understand, he had trees down everywhere, his chimney torn off the house, power lines down, buildings destoyed, and he wanted us to go help his neighbors that he was worried about( God Bless this man). We decided to divide up the group and some stay and help , and the others to go to the neighbors house. I have got to say, my outlook on human kindness and selflessness has taken a whole new leap forward ! We had a great time, working , laughing, sweating, and crying, yes there were many times that I was brought to tears. There were sad tears for the loss of so many, and tears of joy for all the kindness that was so abundant. I thank the Lord for the opportunity to help just a little, and I also thank him for the lesson that he gave me, I will never forget !!

Taking my own advice

I had reached a point where nothing was happening with my creativity ,so I took a trip to my local Tandy Leather store.  My good friend Chance allowed me to hang out and get recharged. He was also very helpful with a new lacing technique that I had never used before.

Sometimes you just have to be around other people that share the same passion for the craft that you do, to compare ideas and different ways of doing things. Chance has a way of revitalizing the need to pound leather.
It was a great day and I am so greatful to have a place so much closer than it used to be , Thanks Chance!

Burnout

This probably never happens to anyone else, but it has certainly hit me right between the eyes. I have several unfinished projects, and cannot seem to get the drive to get them completed.
My friend and partner Mike has been having some very severe health problems with his heart and my job has been stressful of late because the economy the way it has been. When I do not even want to visit my friends at the leather store, I know there is a problem !
Well , I think that I am going to sign up for a leather working class at Tandy, maybe being around people that are new to the craft will get me excited again, the way I was when I took my first class. It certainly cannot hurt ! Maybe they can teach an old dog some new tricks! I will let you all know how it goes.

Lionheart Leather and Blades: Friendly Projects

Lionheart Leather and Blades: Friendly Projects: "When we have a project to do for a friend the whole process takes on a whole new dimention. I have several good friends that wanted items do..."

Friendly Projects

When we have a project to do for a friend the whole process takes on a whole new dimention. I have several good friends that wanted items done and although they just wanted something simple , because they are friends I seem to want to keep adding to it and it never seems to reach completion. A good example is a pair of cowboy cuffs for the founder of the Cowboy Church in Albertville. Tommy just wanted a simple pair of cuffs and I just could not be satisfied until they were what I thought they should be. Well now after a year they are complete.

This is checkbook cover for another good friend in Georgia. Robbie wanted a leather cover that was more than the simple plastic cover the bank gives you and would hold up to everyday wear and tear. I knew he is an tournament fisherman and it just had to have a huge bass on the front as well as his initials.

My next endeavor is for a very good friend from my childhood. Chuck and grew up together, and went to the same Elementary school and High school. When you spend twelve years of your life together in those formative years, you really want to make a good impresstion. Well Chuck... it is getting close, but it's not quite ready yet.

New Year Old Material

Typically we have old things lying around the house that we have held on to for many years , because it had belonged to a relative or someone close to us. Tools of all kinds are a common hand-me-down that are much more of a dust collector than a useful instrument for everyday chores.

Old cross-cut saws are big and hard to show off unless you have a wall big enough or a barn to hang them on. A great alternative to taking up a whole wall is to immortalize that old saw into a true collector item. These old saws are made from high carbon steel that will hold a great edge for a very long time , and are easy to sharpen. The metal can be polished out to a high gloss finish , if that is what you want , or left with the character of the aging patina definition. Handle material is also up to the individual's choice , whether it is antler , bone , or walnut.
Now do not let me limit you to thinking that a saw is the only tool that can be used to make a high quality knife, many other tools have potential.

This fine looking blade was made from a very old framing square. The old framing squares our grandfathers used were made from a high carbon steel , unlike the modern version of today which are made from aluminum or even fiberglass. The bone handle , brass guard , and matching leather sheath finish off the total package.
Please , do not throw away those old tools that my get in the way , or have been taking up space in the garage , make them into a collector piece you will be proud to hand down to future generations. I get great joy and excitment from making new family heirlooms from old items that you may have thought were useless.
If you have a piece you want to find out it's potential , please contact me on the comment line.

The Christmas rush is over and all the orders have gone out. Hopefully all who received their custom presents will be happy with them and they will add to their collections.

This year we had some very unusual  knives that were more personal. For example , this client brought us a set of grips from a revolver and wanted a custom piece that would be  unique , as well as functional. The knife blade is cut from one piece of 440 stainless steel from handle to point,even the guard is part of the same piece,with another section of stainless laminated over the top. Then the grips are attached to the sides. The sheath is form fitted from veg tanned leather , custom carved, and hand stiched. This is a great way to use those old gun grips when you install those new Hogue or Pachmayrs.

This skinner was requested by a client that needed more handle than blade. Stainless steel was the blade of choice , because of the constant use , and the large handle because of big hands and good grip. The sheath was formed to the shape of the knife because of the unusual design. 

Everyday we learn something new and interesting , for example , I never knew that elk had ivory. This client brought us a set of elk ivory and wanted them mounted in the handle of a knife for her husband , who had havested the elk. Well , now comes the fun part ,  just what do you mount elk ivory in ?!? After searching through the wood bin , we came across a rare piece of tiger wood.....no, not the golfer...but an actual piece of wood known for it's unusual stripe pattern. The blade is 440 stainless (full tang) with a nice brass guard , with some good looking file work. The tiger wood slabs , with the elk ivory are pinned in place with brass pins for a great finish. Then of course we have the custom fit sheath, with veg tanned leather ,  hand stiching ,and custom dyeing to match the handle.

I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas and a very enjoyable Holiday Season.   Please keep those comments coming in , we love hearing from you.

Lionheart Leather and Blades: Trying to Catch up

Lionheart Leather and Blades: Trying to Catch up: "I always get into a rush at this time of year trying to catch up on orders for Christmas presents , but there is always time and we are stil..."

Trying to Catch up

I always get into a rush at this time of year trying to catch up on orders for Christmas presents , but there is always time and we are still maintaining a custom , one of a kind  present , that no one else will have gotton that special someone.

If a custom knife and sheath are not the type present you had in mind, there are many other things available, such as braclets, checkbook covers and belts.

This is not my regular blogging about my travels or even my normal leather, but I am trying to make sure everyone of my good friends that want that special present gets it in time for Christmas.
Thank you ,and my God bless you in this very special CHRISTMAS season.

Lionheart Leather and Blades: My Thanksgiving Blessing

Lionheart Leather and Blades: My Thanksgiving Blessing: "Every year I like to reflect on the year and think of everything I have to be thankful for at Thanksgiving. To make a simple list, would ta..."

My Thanksgiving Blessing

Every year I like to reflect on the year and think of everything I have to be thankful for at Thanksgiving. To make a simple list,  would take more space than  I have on this blog space , but I will make an attempt in my common terms to thank my God for being so wondrful and gracious to me.

First, I am thankful for my Lord and Savior, for without him there would be nothing to be greatful for. I am blessed with a wonderful family that are always there when I need them in every way. I have a wonderful bunch of really great friends that even though I do not get to see them as regularly as I would like, they are just a phone call or email away. I am blessed with relatively good health , and a doctor that even though his bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired , seems to keep me straight. I am also blessed with a fabulous job that allows me to travel all over the beautiful Southeastern States and see senery on some back roads that many may never see in their lifetime. The people I work for and with , are just like family, which means they are great support ,but can also get on my nerves and I on theirs.
I am also very thankful for my hobby of leather , that allows me to relax and channel energy to being creative, and I am very thankful to my loving wife , who has always encouraged me to be creative and do my leather work , even though I took up more space than she thought I really needed.

My God bless all my family and my friends on this Thankgiving Day, and may you all have many things of your own to be thankful for as well.

Some Different Things

Sometimes you just get caught up on the same old thing, day in and day out. That old rut gets a little deeper and wider if you let it , so here are a few diferent things I have done just to let you know that I am capable of doing more than just knife sheaths.

We started going the renasisance faires a few years back and I was asked by several of the attendees to make leather bracers for their costumes. There were venders that a piece of leather laced together , but very light weight and no design , so I put together a heavy weight leather with deep carvings that appeared more the like time would have demanded when swords were in hand.

New Reason to Enjoy South Georgia

As I travel around the beautiful Southeast, I have certain places  that are near and dear to me. One of those places is South Georgia , and in particular Moultrie, Georgia. Just off the beautiful downtown square, is Edges Knives and Collectibles that is owned by my good friend Marshall Thompson.

Marshall asked me to place some of my work in his shop ,which was a wonderful compliment . To make the display different I choose some very unusual damascus blade knives, and three different style sheaths. They were placed in the front display case in Marshall's store , which again made me proud. Along with the knives and sheaths, the newspaper article of Mike and my partnership is prominently displayed .

If you are in or around South Georgia , stop by Edges in Moultrie and see Marshall, and tell him the Lionheart sent you. Oh, and while you are there, ask to see his new card case.

Western Gun Belt

Sometimes we are able to go back to the days of our youth and relive the memories that were so good for us. My leather work lets me go back and enjoy the old westerns that I grew up with, and enjoy the happy times.
Recently a good friend of mine asked me to make a western cartridge belt for his SASS (Single Action Shooting Society) competition. My mind went back to Paladin, Maverick, Marshall Dillan, and the whole Cartwright family with their low slung gun fighter type belts.
My fond childhood memories were quickly smashed when Jerry told me that the belt had to totally be authentic, and the gun fighter rigs were invented by Hollywood after the turn of the 20th century. After I pulled myself together from my disappointment ,I got busy and researched the exact belt for the era. The bullet loops are even to proper specification. According to the research, the bullet loops are woven in and out through a series of cut slots and not sewn on the top. Well , enough about the boring history lesson, here are the pictures of the finished product. There was a problem, I had to also make a matching hat band and matching knife sheath,I just can't stop myself sometimes.

Busy Week

This has been a crazy week , and I have not had a minute to spend on my leather. That is quite depressing since that is my tention reliever. This week I have to hit it hard again on the road and try to see customers that I have not seen in several months. My customers are very understanding and are themselves trying to keep their business alive in these stressful times. We can only hope that the November elections will make a possitive change and get big government out of our way so we can get back to work . If our elected officials would understand that they work for US and we do not work for them this country would be operating smoothly again. Government does not create wealth, the people and business creates wealth.
For those who follow this blog , thank you , and check back next week...I will be back