Two New Pouches Finished

[Jefferson58]

Hi Folks:

Attached are a few photos of two new pouches I just completed this week. Any comments, criticisms, etc. are always welcome. I can always use good feedback.

The top pouch is a combination of Southern Appalachian and Virginian features. The shape, flap and size were taken directly from a Southern Appalachian pouch, while the gusset, fringed welts, and fringed, wrapped binding are all straight from Virginia. It is made of veg. tan goatskin and lined with blue stripe pillow ticking. The pouch is 7.5" wide and 7" deep. There is a hanging, inside pocket in the same shape as the pouch body. The strap is 1" wide with an aged, brass buckle.

The second pouch is a copy of an original Staunton, Virginia pouch that I was able to photograph and measure earlier this year. It is 6.5" wide and 6.5" deep and lined with 10oz. hemp. The original was lined with linen. An inside pocket is sewn to the back of the pouch body. The leather is a "rough side out" cowhide that I picked up in a scrap bin at a local shop. The strap is 1" wide, as was the original.

As usual, both pouches are aged to suit my tastes. I will have both of them in Lexington at the CLA next week, if anyone wants to see them in person. I just found out today that we will be at table AM1 in Hall D. I believe this is somewhere in an adjoining county to downtown Lexington. See you there!

Thanks,

Jeff Bibb

[Rayant]

Jeff, fine work and attention to the  schools. Your combination of the two schools is well done.

[Tim Crosby]

 Nice work, those are good looking bags.

 Tim C.

[eseabee1]

real nice work

[Doug Cline]

Really nice, I like both of them

[G. Elsenbeck]

Jeff, I do like the first bag with the fringe.  Nice touch and it doesn't look 'too' aged/antiqued.  After much thought, not sure what to think about the second bag.  With all due respect, why would the original maker or user make their bag, for lack of proper phrase, 'inside out'?  Wouldn't that have made daily or weekly maintenance a pain in the butt or am I missing something else?  Or, was this simply the result of a maker, as in todays society, an individual that refused to march to the beat of a drummer that everyone does?       At least it makes for a good conversation and you did excellently job reproducing the original.  Great job again.
Gary

[smorrison]

Hey Jeff!  Nice bags, especially the first one with the fringe.  That came out real well.
Scott

[Jefferson58]

Gary; in response to your comments about the Staunton pouch, I don't think you missed anything.  The original pouch I examined was "rough as a cob" as my Dad used to say. It may have been made from brain tan or something similar as its texture was really rough.

I was also talking with Ken Scott last Fall about rough-side out pouches. He stated that he sometimes makes one for a different look and effect. I know that he then spends a lot of time burnishing it to smooth some of it out. I do think that the next one of this type I make is going to be done with the "normal" side out.

Thanks for all the good comments folks. I do appreciate it and I am glad you like them. I have one more Appalachian pouch being finished today. If I have time, I may shoot a quick photo out here.

Jeff

[G. Elsenbeck]

Jeff, can't wait to see the new one.
Gary

[TPH]

Jeff, two beautiful pouches, your work is very fine. I might add one thought to the rough out Staunton pouch, in the early days, much military leather gear (especially belts and straps) was done flesh side out for a very good reason, it took die deeply and, perhaps most important, it took oil, grease and/or wax well, allowing the leather to be weather proofed so that the contents could be better protected. Is it possible that the original pouch you copied was waxed or greased for this purpose? Of course, after a long period of time without application of the preservative/protectant the original may not have shown evidence of such treatment but it is a possibility. Just a thought from someone just outside of Staunton.

[Jefferson58]

That is a very interesting observation about greasing/waxing the flesh side of the leather. I learn something new every day. I wasn't aware of this practice, but it makes a lot of sense when you think about it.

Thanks for the great input.

Jeff

[Frank Barker]

Jeff.....It was good to see you at the CLA show in Lexington and your craftsmanship is superb. Keep on posting your work and I just might learn something. Thanks again.........Frank

[Larry Pletcher]

I enjoyed talking with you  at CLA.  The explanation on bags was helpful.  I hope to have a plain "northern" bag with me when I see you next at Conner Prairie.

Regards,
Pletch

[Ole Doc]

  ...very nice indeed .
Like how the two schools married on the pouch.
 Saw mention of "rough side out" in the comments ...
recently messed up a trade knife sheath ... went ahead n stitched it rough side out.
Saddle soaped it real goode '
and ya know what ... looks alrright.

[ghchristian]

Jeff, Really nice craftsmanship!! I,ve been thinking about making me one and the one with the fringe is what I was thinking about. Keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing others you have made.

  Greg

[Randy Hedden]

Did anyone else lose the pictures of Jeff's bags that were posted with his initial message???

Randy Hedden

[Robert Wolfe]

Nope - I can see the pics.........................