Need help with buying leather to make horse gear

[wyldflower]

Ok, so this newbie here thought she was ready to go leather shopping... and then realized she needed some help with leather buying!

a little background on what I'm doing:

I'm interested in making horse gear for my two broomtails. I thought I'd start with making some slobber leathers, then move up to making a headstall or two and a sidepull (to replace the sidepull I have but don't like the fit). If I survive those projects with leathermania intact, I'll move on to a set of saddlebags for either an organic horse or an iron one I will do some sort of carving/stamping on most of these projects.

I've already learned from the wisdom of this board that dyeable vegtan is required, as I'm sure at least one of these projects I want to try dyeing. (hopefully I will be better at dyeing leather than I was at dyeing my hair).

Here's where I'm stuck:

Harness leather acceptable? Or stick to skirting?

What weight range is ideal these kinds of projects?

Would double shoulders be acceptable?

I plan to purchase Herman Oak or W&C ~ primarily because I don't know much except that both HO and WC have an excellent reputation for the quality of their leather, and this is what I usually see the really good using gear made from. Yes, my mistakes are gonna cost me a little more, but I'm thinking I'm also likely to be more satisfied with end results as well as the process. However, that's just my idea and I'd be grateful to hear thoughts from others on who make this kind of gear.

thanks so much,

Dixie

[rhall]

Dixie,You can find the answers and alot of info from the Weaver Leather catalog.The shoulders are not very large so that limits the length of any project.Get the cat. an let us know what else you need! Also...Welcome to the group!!

[Randy Cornelius]

Harness leather acceptable? Or stick to skirting?

I would stick to skirting as harness leather is very waxy, it is given a wax bath to prevent the sweat from soaking into the leather. It would make very good horse gear if you were not going to tool it. It will not take water very good and you need to case it to carve and stamp. I have used some basket stamps on it before but just not as good as using veg tan.

What weight range is ideal these kinds of projects?

I would order an 8/10 oz for most of what you are doing. You can always skive it down if you want thinner weights. If you are wanting to make a set of saddle bags I would have W&C split it down to 6/7 oz. You will also need some 3/4 for the gusett.

Would double shoulders be acceptable?

They will work but they will not be very long, ususally 50" is the max on a double shoulder. So if you were wanting to make a set of reins it would not work

Hope this helps

Randy

[wyldflower]

Harness leather acceptable? Or stick to skirting?

I would stick to skirting as harness leather is very waxy, it is given a wax bath to prevent the sweat from soaking into the leather. It would make very good horse gear if you were not going to tool it. It will not take water very good and you need to case it to carve and stamp. I have used some basket stamps on it before but just not as good as using veg tan.

What weight range is ideal these kinds of projects?

I would order an 8/10 oz for most of what you are doing. You can always skive it down if you want thinner weights. If you are wanting to make a set of saddle bags I would have W&C split it down to 6/7 oz. You will also need some 3/4 for the gusett.

Would double shoulders be acceptable?

They will work but they will not be very long, ususally 50" is the max on a double shoulder. So if you were wanting to make a set of reins it would not work

Hope this helps

Randy

Randy,

Thank you so much for the advice. I will stick with skirting and order a side. I have some scrap skirting to practice on for now. I was guessing I'd need heavier like the 8/10 but it sure helps to have guidance. Great to know W&C will split heavier stuff - hadn't even thought of that.

Dixie,You can find the answers and alot of info from the Weaver Leather catalog.The shoulders are not very large so that limits the length of any project.Get the cat. an let us know what else you need! Also...Welcome to the group!!

rhall,

Thank you for the welcome and the Weaver catalog resource - I'll add that to my list. I love catalogs!

Dixie