Seems I forgot to squeeze out this additional bit of HLYWD trivia from my post about Sly’s Expendables. I’ve been a fan of vegetable-dyed, hand sewn leather goods ever since my friend Eldon bestowed its few but exceptional virtues upon me. The stuff we use is made primarily for saddlery and tack gear, it’s a little stiff and a bit unforgiving at the start, but once you get some wear under your belt (so to speak) you’ll have yourself a leather piece to last a lifetime that feels as comforting as your grandpa’s hands ever did. There’s nothing like a perfectly worn wallet or key chain to make you feel at home until you get there. So that’s why we make things this way. We get our hides from a tannery that’s been doing it the same way for 140 years. No chromium, no weird caustic chemicals, just vegetable dyes in pots in the forest. We cut and punch everything out by hand and use two needles and thread to pull it all together. Earnest and study are the orders of the day when we’re making something from leather. And this Single Buckle Triple Skull leather bracelet is no exception. Start to finish, made by hand, cut and sewn, the Sterling Silver pieces cast right here in our little foundry, this like everything we make, is the genuine article. Expensive? No. Does it cost a lot, yep. But if this helps any, Sly can be seen wearing one most every day, and that includes in his latest movie. So if you want me to make you one too, go here.
Author Archives: JW
Sly’s Expendables
Always up for a good fight and with a flair for going over the top, Sly classed up the screen this month with some GOOD ART in the release of The Expendables movie. I’m so glad that in a world of skinny jeans and latte’s, Stallone has the gumption to single-handedly keep lit the torch of mega action films. You go Rambo, er Rocky! You see what I mean, he’s not just legendary, he’s a bunch of legends. His lucky ring is a custom GA job; a large rose-topped Sugar Skull in Sterling & 22KT gold with propeller blades for eyes, lightening bolt brows, sticks of dynamite for cross bones and a bomb for a third eye. Subtle. What you won’t see in the movie is this huge bracelet I didn’t get done in time.
You want in on this action? Get your own right here!
I’ll shrink your fucking head
Not really, but this Jack Skull #11 sure does look the part. It’s a an epic piece, approaching two pounds of Sterling Silver, this little fella was polished and beaten into submission by a five foot 3 inch Honduran. Fit for the desk of any endeavoring pirate, this one’s already found a home, watching over a friend’s office, but I’ll gladly boil up a few more for those with a yearning.
Not the flavor of the month…
But designer of the day! This is cool, thanks for the acknowledgement. See the whole write up here.
Off To Zenji
X-Games LA
Got to catch a few events with our friends from Countour HD and ended the night at Coles, the best spot in town for a Pastrami Dip & a glass of Bourbon. Johnny Drum is their house and it’s great with one big cube.
Moto GP
I went to Moto Grand Prix in Monterey, CA at Laguna Seca. It’s one of my favorite tracks, one of the best to watch a race and just a generally great area to take a weekend trip. Standing alongside the Corkscrew or above Race Control in the lounge, it’s always a great view. GP is a weekend long moto-bonding session not to be missed by any 2-wheel go fast fan. An annual pilgrimage of gear-goodness and I spent it with some great friends. I got to brainstorm about a new GOOD ART / BATES Leathers Bates Custom Leathers collaboration with Dana who owns the legendary California custom leather jacket company. I feasted with Jason, Tony and Brando, lounged on Ducati Island with Dan from Contour, I met Paul & Becca from Spidergrips, and rider Greg Tracy who took their Multistrada to the win at Pikes Peak last month, and I got very intimate with a good number of amazing bikes, even reuniting for a moment with my first Ducati by chance. It was Ducati-filled funtime for all. Stoner took 2nd and Nicky 5th! Thanks for the great weekend Skipper, really wish I had a photo of your face to share here, next time around I guess.
Oh no you didn’t
Now I’m not saying that violence is a particularly aesthetic theme, but you might agree that the Nazi’s were a very well dressed military, compliments to the stylings of Hugo Boss. You might also think the 1873 Colt single action Peacemaker is a mechanical masterpiece, or even beautiful. From Samurai swords to Seventeenth-Century sailor’s scrimshaw, that knives are collected for their beauty more than function doesn’t make them any less dangerous. I’ve always been a fan of good design. The cool shit’s better than the crap (so to speak). And I’ve always had a strong fascination and appreciation for weapons. I’ve shot guns and collected folding knives since I was about 11. Not that any of this really means much, I just figured I’d bridge my affinity for these Sterling Knuckles with any disgust their implied use might create. And if not a weapon, it makes a very imposing paperweight. Either way, they create an effect on anyone who picks them up.
We Three Kings
Or at least fit for three kings. Just finished these Jack Moto Rings, Sterling and Sterling w/22KT head, Ruby / White Diamond eyes. And now you can order your very own in the freshly updated SHOP
Nice Double D’s
Most people can find something to admire about a nice pair… of almost anything. Here’s a pair of Model 10D’s. The “D” is the baddest on the bracelet block right now. Ultra thick and heavy and you’ll need a note from your chiropractor to order one. The 22KT one is the weight of a Yugo and price of a Porsche. Just finished this Sterling one for a friend of ours up in SF, she’s leaving via Fed-X in the morning. I’m almost sad to see her go, but I love to watch her walk away.




























