to "Dream by Day"

[paul]

Nasser,

How could you resist!
What an interesting and challenging project!

Well done.
Paul

[dearbone]

Hi Paul,

Well, we are looking at the finished work,but honestly i spent agonizing time trying to figure out how to put it togather, without pattern or guide to work from, Usually when i start a project,I like to see the end result (in my head),but on this one, i had to depend on faith,that everything will work the way i intended and at last it worked and i learned something new.
ps, Glad to hear,you will be with us in Gathrie

Regards Nasser

[dw]

Thought you all might get a kick out of this photo...my new kilt came in today. Looks like I will be making it to Guthrie--the odds are probably around 75% at this point--and I will have a kilt to wear at the dinner. Look Out!!

7725.jpg

Tight Stitches
DWFII--Member HCC

[dearbone]

Looking good DW, I have no issue with the Kilt or any other apparels,but I worry sitting cross a bench or table from you with that hard wood stick, which you call a "Cane" in your hand,are you bringing that cane with you to Guthrie? Do you use the cane when you teach your students? Few thoughts that crossed my mind.

Regards Nasser

[dw]

Nasser,

Thanks. Yes, I'll probably bring the stick...which, BTW, is a vintage blackthorn root knob shillelaigh or walking stick. At one point in time, there was almost a martial art that evolved around stick fighting with these kinds of sticks.

Good blackthorn root knob sticks are rare these days and very hard to harvest as the thorns, which are dulled but left prominent on such a stick, are poisonous.

7737.jpg

Tight Stitches
DWFII--Member HCC

[dearbone]

DW,

That is a good walking stick,I thought it was no ordinary cane,i have not seen a root knob stick since i was a child,and it was lighter color wood,i also heard of tribes fighting,using root knob sticks,not a sight i wish to watch.Thanks for the picture.

regards Nasser

[dw]

Don't get me wrong, I'm still making shoes and boots right along and I have a present student and another from Denmark next month. But I just finished this and I wanted to "show and crow."

This is my first sgian dubh--the "black knife" or sock knife that is worn with a kilt.

I made some mistakes making this due mostly to inexperience and ignorance but thankfully I recovered well enough that they aren't visible from the highway.

I think the handle is walnut although it was sold to me as ironwood. The bolster is poured, lead free pewter. The pommel is amboyna burl.

I'm proud of this. I may never make another so I'm doubly proud I got a good solid functional knife out of my first fumbling attempt.

OBTW, the overall length is 7" and the blade is 3-1/4". The handle is 3/8" of an inch thick and flat on the leg side but slightly flared on the "presentation" (medallion) side The blade itself is 3/4' wide at the bolster.

7804.jpg

Tight Stitches
DWFII--Member HCC

(Message edited by dw on August 07, 2008)

(Message edited by dw on August 07, 2008)

[homeboy]

Dee-Dubb,

First a stick, or club, now a knife? What are you up to? Dang, the people from Oklahoma aren't that bad?

Seriously, you cease to amaze me! Great job!

Adios, Jake

[dw]

Jake,

Thanks old friend.

Actually, none of it is any different than wearing a hat with boots, or a bolo tie...although I was always partial to frock coats, cravats, and a red sapphire stick pin that was a gift from a customer.

The sgian dubh and the shillelaigh are more or less standard with Scots attire.

Besides I haven't even sharpened this yet. It's pretty short and about the only thing it's good for is peeling an apple or cutting the tip off a cigar. Or, more traditionally, cutting the haggis.

Tight Stitches
DWFII--Member HCC

[paul]

DW,

Sweet little knife! You should be proud of it.
It's not easy venturing into another craft form and having it come out so respectably.

The celtic knot medallion is a nice touch.

As DW says, "Good on you!"

Paul

[dw]

Paul,

Thanks. I think I'd "inlay" the medallion if I ever did it again. As it is, the medallion is a little proud of the wood...less than 1/16"...but I think it would look a little more professional if it were flush.

Believe it or not, the hardest part is coming up with a sheath that is suitable to stick down inside a sock. No roughness or rivets and as low a profile as can be.

Tight Stitches
DWFII--Member HCC

[paul]

Hello Friends,

I don't know where else to post this.
It is so cool, I just had to share it.

It's boot related, however it's from the International Internet Leather Guild, of which I am a member also, as are several of you others.

A link was posted this morning on our forum, to the site, announcing a fun new feature just added 'tis a Puzzlement. It's right there on the front page. Check it out...

http://www.iilg.net/

I'm very flattered,
Paul

[dw]

Paul,

That's neat!

Of course, being a lazy sot (and with an eye and ear to the thunder and lightening coming closer and closer) I had it auto solve.

I generally like jigsaw puzzles though. Maybe I'll head back over and try it again when the weather is better.

Tight Stitches
DWFII--Member HCC

[paul]

DW,

Thanks for checking it out, in spite of the great peril.

It took me 10 minutes to complete. But then I spent the first 7 minutes just being amazed that my work was so used. I used autosolve myself the second time I went to it.

It made for a good start for the day.

Paul

[dw]

Please welcome Lucien Mila Kinzer, 8 lb. 10 oz., 21 inches, born about 10:00 am PDT, Friday the 26 of September, to Chloe and Ben Kinzer, daughter and son-in-law of Randee and DW Frommer.

Lucien got stuck part way through the birth and dislocated his shoulder. He had some problem, at first, finding his rhythm breathing. He was on oxygen supplement for a couple of days but he's now home and looking and acting good Attached is a photo.

Chloe is doing fine, but tired. Randee, who assisted with the birth is also tired as the event began at 3am.

Lucien is a braw wee laddie with a strong will and a single minded focus. It goes without saying though that having Colquhoun and MacSuibhne blood in his veins he's bound to be feisty. He has already garnered the nickname "Lucky" although Randee is worried he will become a boxer. I don't know whether he will grow out of it but he's already got a pug nose like a fighter. Of course, he is a fighter or he wouldn't be here.

8025.jpg

Tight Stitches
DWFII--Member HCC

[homeboy]

Well now....Hello "Lucky"! He's a fine lookin' feller!

Congratulations to all!

My only question.....when does the bootmaking start?

I am extremely happy for your family Dee-Dubb. Tell Chloe, "Job Well Done"!

[donrwalker]

DW

Congratulations, You must be very happy. I am expecting my first grandchild in Dec, and I can hardly wait. I am trying to figure out what size boots to make and how to get a last that small. Any sugestions?

Don

[paul]

Wow! He looks really good for such a fresh one!

Congratulations! There's nothing like being a grandparent.

Best Wishes to all,
Paul

[das]

DW, or should I call you "gramps" now? Pass my congratulations on to one and all. Get "Lucky" fitted for a kilt ASAP. A famous actor, Kenneth Williams, explained that the kilt was ideal because, "The kilt is the perfect garment for the two main activities of Scotsmen abroad: fornication and diarrhea." He'll probably have the latter before he needs to start worrying about the former

[relferink]

Congratulations to the parents and obvious proud grand parents. Is it too early to tell if "Lucky" is going to be a cordwainer? Either way I am sure he has many visits to Grandpa's shop in his future to soak up the virtues of the gentle craft.
Best Wishes to all.
Rob

[relferink]

Donald,

Back in May someone emailed me that this company was selling baby lasts. I never checked it out and the link emailed to me is no longer working but you may want to give them a call.

Rob

[donrwalker]

Rob

Thank you. I got ahold of them and ordered some lasts.

Don

[dearbone]

DW,

Congratulations to you on the occasion of birth of Lucky.

Nasser

[shoestring]

DW,

That's a fine looking young man,as broad as he is across the shoulder he can,t help but being a survivor and there is no shortage of food in his house.The bible says there is know greater joy than a man's or womans grandchildren............so enjoy.

Ed

[mac]

DW,

I'll raise a glass of Scotch tonight to toast "Lucky" into the world. Congratulations to all!

Sean