Wanted to make a sheath for my Bearded Axe. I have done a lot of Celtic knotwork in stone, so I thought about trying my hand at leather. Decided on the fighting dogs/Britain in the Book of Kells & Viking dogs/wolves from approx. 800 A.D. This is my hybrid design I did about a year ago, of a dog taking down a stag. John

Got half tooled, Going to revise the left side background which I started first.

Also a question for all you leather workers out there. I'm torn on anymore work on this. Should I stain or paint this? John

Personally I like the shade in the pictures. I assume the leather is still damp? Maybe some dye to hi lite the shaded areas but otherwise it looks good to me. I can't speak about painting, I have seen some beautiful work done with painting but like leather more natural.

By the way, your a natural at the tooling. Good job!!

Stain or paint, IDK. It's looking great so far. JF

Wow!!

Very nice!!

Very nice job!

Woah! GOOD job!!

That is awesome, the sketch is riveting!

Looks great so far!!

Very cool!!!

Only your first try?? Great work.

Nice, you are doing well!

Great job.

Stain rubbed in deep and wiped off fast will antique it more then paint, so stain gets my vote. That really is a fine piece of work. Post photo when finished. Thanks.

Very nice work!

Great job!

As for finish, I would suggest using Fiebing's Antique Finish or Eco-Flo Gel Antique. These are thick, pudding like consistency products that you rub into the finish and wipe off. The stain stays in the depressions and gives a nice antique look to the leather. They're easier to control than a liquid stain or dye. They come in several different colors. I think medium brown would look good on this project.

I assume you bought the leather and tools at a store that carries finishes also. Tandy Leather Factory definitely has these.

Let's see more from you in the future.

Wow

Very nice especially for your first time. You've got a hidden talent. Would love to see the finished product.

That's some good figure carving, that's comming from a guy who has done leather work on a hobby level for nearly 15 years. 10 of them were learning and mastering the craft through 4-H. My last 5 or so years in 4-H I was consistently at tge top of the heap.

looking good

Outstanding work! Where have You been hiding all this time? Hope to see the finished creation!

Thank you all for the compliments , encouragement & suggestions. I think sometimes less is more. So I think I'll finish it with the Fiebing's Antique Finish or Eco-Flo Gel Antique.

I met a leather guy by the name of Joe White from Hidemasters (Colorado). He set up next to me at the Fountain Hills Art Fair (Arizona). Well he was a Spartan & myself a Wolverine, so the banter went back and forth all weekend. We developed a friendship and did some other art shows together in AZ. He helped me with my Javelina quiver and a buckskin shirt similar to Blackhawk here on the LW. I started picking up tooling at rummage sales, a couple hand me downs and some new from Tandy. I don't see Joe anymore so I decided to stop reading and get down to it. I will finish the tooling, staining and sewing. I would like to set it up similar to the Hinterland Rover who attached his to the side strap of his quiver.

Thanks again, John

Awesome job....I haven't tried the tooling yet. I have done just some simple stamping.

Marsha

Very nice!!

Well finished tooling. even though I did not have to do the left side. Did not realize till I thought... I'm right handed and you don't tool the back side of a sheath....DOH!! Oh well I needed the practice. Went with the Eco-Flo Gel Saddle Tan.

Nice work! Will you add a belt loop?

Very impressive!

Nice Work !!!

Very cool looking. Good job.

Very nice. Just getting started in this myself. Great job.

Handsomely done!

Stitched it up with black faux sinew. Burnished the edge with chocolate dye. Cut a strap & sewed it on. Now I'm debating on a snap or a antler tine / button. John

I off set the U in the back to account for the strap & hook the back of the hawk. Thank you all again for you compliments & insight. I take it to heart coming from my piers. John

Awesome. I'd go antler tine. JF

Beautiful, I played with this a few times and just don't have the talent. Great Job!

Now that is a fine piece of work. Nicely done! Antler gets my vote on that.

Wow the Vikings in Valhala wished you were around back in the day. Nice work.

Beautiful job, Stoner! I like the axe too.

Awesome! Jawge

Very very nice! That is sweeeeet!

That's a truly gorgeous piece of work.

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