Feedback

It is nice to get feedback on your work. This job was a replacement strap for a field lens case.

Jules from Birmingham emailed "I thought I'd let you know the strap you made for me arrived safely and fits
perfectly.

Ash - Evil Dead 1

   I like to do costumes or at least part of them. The more under stated the better. A chap asks me if I would consider tackling the harness for the boomstick [shotgun] for the hero, "Ash" from the zombie classic Evil Dead 1. We don't have a lot to go on. We have clips from the movie and a resin cast figurine. The resin cast model turns out not to be that faithful to the film. It is in the spirit of the hero, Ashley J. Williams, but he production constraints probably had a hand in the sculpting. Having viewed many YouTube clips, reviewed many screen shots together with measurements of the replica props, the shotgun in particular and measurement of the customer a pattern emerged.
  

  All I had to do was find suitable brightwork [Buckles and rings], suitable leather and manufactuer a chainsaw toggle hook. Making the harness was just a case of careful measurement and strap making, finishing and stitching. The boot for the shotgun [boomstick] took some careful pattern making as the replica shotgun, a 1830 Eyatt Earp side by side shotgun is heavy and only comes in one size. The challenge was to make the shotgun boot the right shape relative to the customer and the shotgun. I think I pulled it off.  






The belt was
was not part of the brief but I thought the overall look demanded the extra work. I managed to find a very good match for the buckle based on the screen shot. The next special element was the chainsaw toggle hook. Ash loses a hand in film and replaces it with a chainsaw....as you do. He has a hook on the harness to grab the toggle on the pull starter. I managed to find suitable materials and a morning in the workshop left me with a good version of the hook. It fixes to the harness with a pair of Chicago screws.

   I like everything to be multi-purpose where ever I can arrange it without compromising the piece. In this piece I made the shotgun boot detactable. It took a little imagination to design the clips but the effort well worth the effort. The customer put in as much effort to the other elements of the costume and it shows. Once the harness was worn, the heat of the body and the weight of the boomstick as well as a slight alternation to the boot closure thongs brought the boomstick into the correct position on the back.




 


Ashley "Ash" J. Willaims - Evil Dead 1

Ashby Show

   Ashby Show [Click HERE for website] was a big deal for me. It was the first full scale agricultural show I had attended as a trade exhibitor. I had been on the other side of the counter many times. I had been fretting about the weather. For a week before the show the weather had been amazing, hot and sunny, just as a summer should be. I was concerned the weather might break on or before the show. I was at the show ground at 7am. It was grey and we, my fellow traders, felt a couple of spots of rain. We set up, optimistic that the weather gods would be kind to us. As the morning gave way to the afternoon the sun came on in full effect. It was glorious summer's day in England.

   The horse riding event were held early in the morning so they were pleased with the relative cool weather. It took me ages to get set up. As they say work expands into the time available. I usually get set up in 45 minutes at the market. It took me over an hour. My pitch was on the main avenue running between the public car park and the show ring. My stall neighbours was Lester who made horse inspired jewellery on one side and on the other side a pair of brothers, Geoff and Ben, who sold knives. All very complimentary trades. I like to think that was arranged by the show organisers. I was set up before the gates opened although there were some very early starters.

 

   I nipped off and got the bacon butty and a brew. I sat in my fold-up chair and ate them in peace for a few minutes. Just as I wiped the flour off my face the fun began. I was on my feet all day. There was a steady stream of browsers, questions, folks reminiscing about bygone skills, stories of lost loves and working in leather. One chap asked if I was mending things today. Yes was the answer. He whipped off his belt because it needed a rivet resetting. His missus was a bit put out at his actions but this happens to me all the time at the market. He was an interesting chap. I had a chat with the knife brothers. They asked about a sheath for a 14" butchers knife. So just for something to do I made them one. I knew if I started making something it would draw a crowd. The brothers were chuffed with the result. I let them have the sheath. Their knives need sheaths they are wickedly sharp.

  One chap was very interested in the stitching leather together. After a minute or two of disconnected questions I stopped him. I got two small pieces of leather and showed him the process; edge, mark, prick, stitch and burnish. He was fascinated. I gave him the piece and he went any way delighted with his "gift". I like an enthusiast.

   The Denna piece, on the dummy on the left of the stall, drew comments and enquiries all day. I even got one of the girls to try the gorget on. She was a LARPer [Live Action Role Player] so she liked dressing up. The table was arranged from left to right as re-enactors/costumes, tack, bags/cases, belts and the Cedar blocks on the end. At the back I had a couple of hides and on the left I had a belt lengths of hide. I don't make belts a spec. I like folks to pick the leather for the belt from the strips of hide. I think it adds something to buying a bespoke belt.

   Hazel came along to help me with the day. Hazel had sense to turn up a a civilised time. Hazel kept me going but did manage to see all of the show. I managed to see the car stand directly opposite me across the avenue and the quick scan over the vintage cars as I quickly walked to the loo and back.

   A number of familiar faces popped up on the other side of the counter. So a big thanks to them for the support. You know who you are. 

   Plenty of cards where taken and given out with a bit of luck commissions will arise from them. One chap, Ian, said he would see me the next afternoon, Monday. OK I though. 4pm Monday my phone goes off and it is Ian. He give me a commission, exactly as discussed. [Update the commission is completed]. I also went over to see the stunt rides but I just missed there show. I met them at their tent/stable/truck and had a good chat with them about tack and horses. I did just happen to have a few pieces of tack over my shoulder...as you do. It was a very full day. Hazel had brought some lunch but I did not get a break until 2pm and then had to eat on the run as folks were still coming by. I also met a very interesting fellow from the Hedgelayer's Society. 6pm came and a flurry of activity saw the camp disappear into its respective vehicles. It went away quicker than it came out.

   So that was Ashby show done. I got a few ideas, some of which I have already put into action, and met a bunch of decent folk. I even picked up a few quid.

Apron of all aprons

   I decide I should have an apron to work in, to stop my clothes getting grubby and to protect myself from the odd slip of the awl or knife. As usual it took me a while to decide on the design. After all this was to be for me rather than a customer. I had a piece of oiled calf hide earmarked for the body of the apron. Then it was just a question of how to secure it me whilst I worked.





I made a belt. I had a fancy Brass buckle set [buckle, keeper and belt tip] in stock. I used rivets and stitching to join the belt to the apron. Next I made a neck strap and just for the hell of it connected one end of the strap to the bib of the apron with a shield and a sam brown. On the other side of the bib I used an cast brass Eagle clasp.






   I am fussy about things hanging on my neck. That issue comes from a old motorbike injury...that's a whole other story. I made a bridle to sit on the neck strap. From the bridle a ran a strap down the back to a buckle and loop on the belt. That takes the pressure off my neck. I had a neat medieval centre bar buckle in stock to use on the back strap. Then to finish job I made a pocket on the bib for my pencil and split the front panel so I hold the clams between my knees.

Probably the most expensive apron in the world...but it looks good.

 

In retrospect I am not keen on the look of the bridle so I will probaly do that piece again.

Lead Rein

  It has been a busy week. The hours have just flown by. However I do have plenty to show for the hours spent this week. I more or less finished a Mord Sith costume, had a commission collected, made a halter for a  heavy horse, made a lead rein, sorted out someone that has been messing me about on Folksy, tweaked a costume I am delivering in a week or so. And I have chatted to lots and lots of people on facebook and elsewhere. So it has been very positive. Next week I will have to very organised and nothing must go wrong so that everything is done and ready for the market and country show next weekend. I foresee early mornings and late nights all next week. If it is all not ready by Friday we will just have to "run what we brung".

   I like the lead rein I have made. It will compliment the halter I made. You could just as easily use it as a dog lead. The leather is English bridle leather. This leather is great to work with but does take some extra effort. However it fairly glows when the job is done. The strap billet starts 1" [25mm] wide. It cut it length ways into three strands. Then the fiddly bit, to dye and burnish the edges of the strands. Very hot work on a hot day. Next the strands were plaited making sure the strands lay flat. It is a good job I have strong fingers as this was a power job to bend the stands required by the plait. The clams came in handy to hold the free ends of the plait whilst I secured them with some stitches. It was a bit ticklish to line up the handle loop around the free plait ends in readiness for stitching, but I got there. Thereafter it was plain sailing to stitch the handle loop on and then on the other end of the rein to stitch the lead chain on.

   The plaiting makes for a supple and shock absorbing connection between the animal and the handler. Where the strap is still a billet the leather is stiff and strong. The overall length of the rein is 32" [800mm]. About half leather and half brass. The brass has twisted links so that it lies flat, a swivel at the the rein end and a Walsall hook on the business end.
   

Smart Belt

    I am very pleased with this belt. Partly because it turned out so well but also because it is repeat business. Thank you Mr and Mrs B. The leather for this belt is 3mm full grain shoulder. The buckle is cast by the last of the brass founder in midlands and perhaps the country. It is solid and heavy. The keeper is old stock I picked up on the my travels. It too weighs a ton. It looks very smart I think you will agree.

No1 Dress belt

Originally Posted 9/23/2012

   Whilst I was on holiday me and fragrant Mrs McD dropped in on a number of antique fairs and jumble sales. Mostly to get out of the rain but also onthe off chance we might turn up something interesting. At the place near Penrith I found a stall on the antique fair seling vintage tools. In the corner of a box was a heavy plastic belt. I dragged it and fond it was a uniform dress belt from a British Army unit. I still don't which unit it belongs too. I offerred the chap a tenner [£10 sterling]. He said ok and it was mine.

   All I really wanted was the buckle and the adjusters. The remainder of the belt acted as a template. Much to Mrs McD's digust I spent a whole evening with a cloth and a tin of Brasso cleaning up the dirty and tanished buckle and adjusters. I am not one for bulling brass but I have to admit the bright brass work looks good against the white leather.

   The flash behind the buckle is attached to one of the belt loop. The original belt loops where closed with rivets. I decided the fix the loops with Chicago screws. They made a nice clean job and quite a good way of working too. I have decide that this belt will form the basis of a Victorian styled webbing set. I just need to make a bayonet frog and cross straps. Somewhere along the line cartridge cases will be needed. I doubt I will make them from the 3mm I made the belt from. It will be just too heavy.

Infantry Cross Belts Circa 1780

Originally Posted 9/22/2012

    I made a cartridge case or cartouche some time ago. I figured I should have a set of cross belts to compliment the case. If your having a cross belt set you really need a Sabre to go with in. I picked up a scruffy re-pro sabre a few months ago and the leather. With everything available I sat down the make the set. The design is based on the uniform of the British Infantry about 1780. The cross belts carrying the cartouche and sabre and/or bayonet had been in use since the introduction of muskets and went out of use in the Victorian era, circa 1850 when the more scientific webbing was introduced.

    The  leather is 3mm white natural finished hide. The poor Infantryman would be required to keep the belts bright white using pipeclay. This set is not finished to that level just yet. The belt for the cartouche has narrowed strap ends in order to fit the buckles onthe bottom of the cartouche. The wide belt spreads the load of the heavy case which would be heavier still when filled paper, lead ball and powder cartridges. It quite simply make. Cut the belt to width and length then sow on the strap end.





  I am short of a buckle to secure the cross over point of the belts. Choosing a buckle is tricky as the buckle signified the unit.

  The baldric is a little more complicated. Depending on the unit or the decade Baldrics had different configurations. Some carried only a bayonet [Socket or plug types], other the sword bayonet [a dual purpose weapon] and yet others carried a sword and bayonet, typically a plug type bayonet. The version I have made is the sword and bayonet style. The bayonet frog has a small strap and buckle to secure the bayonet scabbard.

I picked the sabre up at a junk shop for pennies so you will have to excuse the item for not neccesarily being of the period.