I do live in a unique town. Not only is Stratford home to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, it is also home of the internationally famous Stratford Chef school.
I was asked today if I would make a Chef knife roll out of leather. This is essentially a case to hold knives, keeping them separate and protected. For us wrench guys think of a toolcase for wrenches and spanners that keeps them organized. each knife has a pocket, a flap comes over it and you roll it up to keep it compact with a tie.
My customer decided on British rebel tan, I added a bit of colour and laminated burgundy leather to protect the tips as well as make the tie strap
I made pockets for various size knives as well as for a sharpening steel

The top flap will fold over the long knives and is held in place with velcro on the edges

When all the knives are in place you roll the case and slide the tie strap through the dee rings

I also made an Initial brand for that personal touch.

Always something interesting happening at the shop.

It has come a shock to a few. Most of my friends have gotten used to me wearing a kilt full time and it always takes them aback when the see me in pants.
This is the reason I wear them

This past weekend I participated in “The Forbidden Ride” It was used to raise funds for Big Brothers in both Perth and Huron county. It’s a two day event, starting on Friday night. There’s a parade of bikes, show and shine and taking in a show at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.
We gathered at the Festival Marketplace mall

Then we rode into City Centre and arrived at Market square

About 45 bikes attended this as it was threatening to rain for most of the evening
Met up with an old friend who rides a classic beemer circa 1973

Saturday Morning we gathered in Shakespeare and were given packages with maps, checkpoints and routes.
So here I am in pants

Then began the tour checking into various stores along the way
One of the stops was Treasures in Stratford

Also Chocolate Barrs (Received a truffle because I used foursquare to check in, they have a number of specials associated with foursquare)
One of my customers belongs to the RATS (triumph riders, many of them wear kilts at rallies) This is his bike a Triumph Rocket

It was a good ride the weather cooperated and we checked into a number of places in towns along the way



With the final stop in the evening in Goderich

Close to 200 bikes participated.
Looking forward to next year

There are a number of kilt orders on the board right now, so I must employ some mass production techniques in order to stay on top of it.
Some more material arrived this week, and I thought it best to prepare it for the kilt orders.

The material was cut to length for the various kilts I have to make

I set that aside, and then stamped out the pockets

I can stamp out about ten pockets at a time, lay them out and get them ready for assembly

I’ll do the blue one first, as that customer is anxiously awaiting his kilt to be delivered to California. Then I will tackle the Army Green, one is heading to Pennsylvania, the others in Ontario.
I shall be busy over the next while, hopefully we shall get some warmer weather, this rain is getting to be a little boring. For entertainment I listened to Bill Cosby and Noah… and of course the classic Chicken heart as well as Chocolate cake for breakfast. That sure brought a smile to my face on this dreary day.
Cheers

I had a wonderful email from Rob, one of my customers in Tasmania. His tag line says it all.
“Rkilts ROCK and that no BULL”

Need I say more?
Thanks Rob.

I took a little break from building kilts and sporrans. Awhile back I made a dispatch bag for one of my daughters, then the other one wanted one, and her partner and …well the list goes on. So I thought I would make it available to the public.
These are ideal for macbooks and the like. It’s made of supple buttery soft leather. Unlike other bags in this category this bag is lined inside with the same buttery soft leather to protect that investment.
This one is made from distressed black leather so it looks like it’s been in the family for years and overtime it will develop a rich patina.

It also has some pockets to hold accessories like a mouse, power cord and headsets

a magnetic clasp holds the plain flap in place.

The gusset is 2.5″ wide so it will accommodate a computer in a foam case A solid leather strap for the dee ring is stitched and riveted into place for extra strength.

The strap is made from the from the same leather that I use to make my belts and straps. It’s built to last, and is adjustable.

rugged hardware too


This bag will last for generations and is of a timeless design.
email rkilts@bellnet.ca for availability and pricing