Leather Satchel Of Sorts

**Ravnari86** · 07-17-2009, 09:44 PM

So while watching a movie I was recently introduced to I noticed a character almost constantly wearing a leather bandolier, that didn't quite hold bullets. It got me thinking. I had the leftovers of a thick cow side in my closet. I have been planning on using the same leather, once sanded down, for a seal for my home made fire piston.

I've been ignoring the scraps I had left from making a few sheaths, an arm protector or two, and a few dog tags for local pets, for a good two years or so now. I just haven't been inspired to really work leather for the whole time... This movie, screwed up as it was, inspired me to pull my leather back out. I was ecstatic to find I had just the right size piece to pull this off (There was one inch or less left on each side after adjusting the angle 5-6 times).

Part of me worried this would go the direction of my fire piston, and not get very far at all for weeks, however I apparently forgot to take into account the old passion for leather work I've had. Wood just doesn't get me "excited" the way leather does, and if you took that the wrong way not only are you messed up, but you've spent too much time without human contact.

I've gotten to the point of having almost the entire cutout fisnished from the raw cow hide. Nice part being, I lost my leather tools about one year ago during a move. I've only been using my Tramontina hunting knife to cut the hide.

Either way, this should be an interesting project.

**crashdive123** · 07-17-2009, 09:50 PM

Pictures man.....we need pictures.

**panch0** · 07-17-2009, 10:01 PM

If there are no pictures it didn't happen.

**Ravnari86** · 07-18-2009, 07:53 AM

For now I'm still cutting the basic shape. The pictures are kinda crummy quality, but it gives an idea of the thickness of hide I'm using, and the other picture is to show my Tramontina knife I'm cutting the hide with. Wouldn't trade that knife for anything. Had it for years, it's easy to fix, and slides through full thickness cow hide like butter.

Got a bit... distracted, last night, but the girlfriend's at work as is the room mate, and it's just the dog and myself until 3. I should have much more done by then. I'll get some better pics up showing the basic idea once it starts taking a bit more shape than a strip of hide.

**Ravnari86** · 07-18-2009, 11:43 AM

Well, there are good and bad parts to having a disgustingly sharp blade. Just realized I somehow, at some point, without noticing, cut the inside of my finger. Luckilly not deep, but it was 2 inch long, deep enough to cut through all the layer of skin into muscle, and I never even felt it happen... Ooops?

Anyways, almost done with the main body of the bag. Just slicing the large strip down the center. I'll have more pics up once I'm done with this.

*Edited*

Figured editing was better than adding yet another reply.

Apparently I'm accident prone today. Just noticed a papercut-type cut running the length of my thumb as well. If this knife was a BIT more dull maybe I would notice when I miss the leather.

**crashdive123** · 07-18-2009, 03:19 PM

All right now.....box up all of your knives - I'll be by to pick them up.

**Ravnari86** · 07-18-2009, 09:42 PM

Lol. I think not. Unless you're buyin me a new one, or feel like bringing me a good few leaf springs and helping me set the forge up in the backyard.

So, I've just gotten finished with tapering the sides of each piece of the bandolier type body of the bag, burned the holes with a soldering iron to stitch one side of each piece together, and started stitching. And by the way... Crash, you're not allowed to take the knives 'til I'm done with this leather. That Tramontina and a small throwing knife are all I have to work with.

Took a few new pics for you guys so you can see how far along it is. Can't add any pockets to it until I get home to stain and seal what I have so far, but I'm determined (despite the fact that the girlfriend and roomy got home and are a slight distraction) to get the main pieces together.

**panch0** · 07-19-2009, 12:25 AM

Great idea with the soldering the holes.

**Ravnari86** · 07-20-2009, 12:46 PM

I would be putting a picture up of the finished stitching on one side, but I left the piece at the girlfriend's house. I'll have her bring it over today, and hopefully I can get some more work done.

I've decided, after looking at the cut of things, that the bottom will be laced together with a small mail bag. That's my next part of this project... I'm certainly going to need to order more leather after this... Using every last scrap except the seal piece of the fire piston, to build this bag.