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How it started...
Truth go on ahead and be told, this endeavor was born out of boredom between deployment cycles.
I had a Marlin 1895 that was looking a little boring. Hobby Lobby was just down the road so I spent a few bucks on leather, stamp tools and dye.
A few minutes spent enrolled in YouTube University, a little more time adjusting a bear paw in Photoshop, and I had my template. What you see here, including the strap, was my first attempt. A bear paw on the right with a stamped basket weave on the left. I'm still pleased with the result several years later.
How it's going...
After several years of tinkering, I'm at a point where I wouldn't mind seeing my work on other people's adventures. It's become less of a hobby and more of an obsession to see what boundaries can be pushed and where I can take my work.
I hope you'll join me.
So, why the beaver?
Castor canadensis, the North American Beaver, and I have a storied relationship. The first one I ever harvested was with the .30-30 pictured above in 2022, the hide is still with the taxidermist.
The second and third beavers fell victim to traffic leaving the Memphis metro. Only one of them was salvageable enough to tan and I did that in the spring of 2023.
Further attempts have proven....unsuccessful. I remain undeterred. To this day, I continue my pursuit of the beaver each fall.
A twenty year career in the Navy has taught me to be meticulous in my work. Attention to detail, adaptability, discipline. Throw in a keen eye for composition after hours of watching Bob Ross, and you get Dam Fine Leather - a friendly play on words because what I make wouldn't be leaving my hands if it wasn't damn fine. Thanks for visiting!
-Russ
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