NG, I don't know Jack or LaBonte, I got no conflict with either of them. I've been members of many of these forums and there always seems to be a contention somewhere.I am still a member of a certain computer game forum where several of the guys made fun of the fact I got my copy of the game at a thrift shop rather than paying 100+ bucks when it was new. I'm on SSI Disablity from being t-boned by a 16 year old who was smashed. Feces occur. I've done floors, cleaned toilets and was proud of it, put autopsied infants back together in funeral homes, was a coolector for a loan shark. I'm a Ted Nugent conservative but I don't recognize either social or economic classes.I've been aware of LaBonte's work for several years now, I've Google searched primitive knives and have the pictures he posts here before I joined this forum. If he wants to show his wares for whatever reason, I don't mind. If Jack objects, he can do that too. This forum is not going to be one that I'm going to be drawn into contentions however, or cliques. I joined this forum for the sole reason to find a source of parts for some rifles, You guys are pretty cool and helpful above and beyond the call of duty, I'm gonna fill out my profile and hang around.
I'm gonna let LaBonte reply to your questions, I'll give you my methods: I cut the rawhide to shape, make sewing holes with an awl, and sew the hide into place. I lay down a layer of sinew so the rawhide don;t slip, and the leather is sewed on over a layer of hide glue. I would guess the pewter is cast before the rest of the work is done, then shaped and polished afterwards, I'll let LaBonte give you his tecniques. I have not done lead/pewter casting, I don't have the space to do it.
Indian crafts are great for Boy Scouts, I could keep the kids working round the clock, lol.
I'll be in touch my friend.
Bones