Just Finished My First Pair Of Chaps

[thenrie]

I made these based on patterns from Bob Klenda. The leather is 5/6 oz pebble-grain finish chrome-tanned chap leather, with 7/8 oz skirting leather for the yokes, and pocket flaps, 10/11 oz for the belts. It was not only my first effort at making chaps, but also my first effort at stamping. I learned more in the couple of hours of decorating those yokes and pocket flaps than all the time I have spent reading about it and watching videos combined. I made some rookie mistakes, but I learned a ton. Finished them with neatsfoot oil.

Question, should I finish the whole shebang with Tan Kote, or just the tooled leather? I'm looking for weather resistance and durability. They will be working chaps for pack trips.

I've already started my next pair, which will be a pair of Arizona Shotgun chaps, again, from patterns from Bob Klenda.

[plowboy73]

Very nice job! I would only use the tan kote on the veg tan.

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

Nice look. Like Plowboy said, I would only tan-kote the tooled portions. The chap leather looks like what they call an "oil tan", having an oily finish from the tannery. You wouldn't have to do a thing to it, but if they are going to be exposed to lots of moisture, you could use something like "Ray Holes Chap Wax". I have never used that specific product, but I've heard good things about it. I know some guys use mink oil or similar dressings, anything that leaves a waxy water-resistant coating. Have fun packing!

[Dwight]

Yessir, . . . I like those. That will probably be awful close to my pair when I get around to making them.

Just finished these up for a cousin, . . . they'll be going home next week.

I just wish the next two pair I have to do were as easy as this pair. These are just work chaps for around the old Ky hacienda.

May God bless,

Dwight

[thenrie]

Thanks for the responses. I finished the tooled parts with Tan Kote and I like the look. That's the first time I've ever put any kind of finish on leather, other than neatsfoot oil (except for on my boots, of course). I still have a lot to learn about tooling the leather. Getting a basket stamp pattern right isn't nearly as easy as it first appears! I keep looking at the work of others and trying to make my stuff look as nice as theirs. Slowly, but surely, I'm learning.

Got a chance to give them a test-ride. I'm currently horseless, so I had to borrow one. They were pretty comfortable. I might shorten them just a tad, to keep them from dragging so much when I walk. Also, I think I might have made them a little loose in the legs. I might adjust that a mite. I have never used chaps before, so I wasn't sure about the fit. I'll just have to use them a while and see.

Nice chaps, Dwight. He'll like those.

Edited June 21, 2014 by thenrie