Tove09Tilda

Thanks for your feedback! 🙂 Just to clarify, the seam on a rolled collar is intentionally smoothed rather than seamless, and the stitches can sometimes be slightly hidden or recessed. This is a traditional English saddlery technique — skiving down close to the stitching and smoothing the edges ensures comfort, even on the inside seam. With a dog’s fur and proper finishing, it shouldn’t cause any irritation. Skiving takes a lot of patience, as you have to get as close as possible to the stitch line without cutting into it, while maintaining a clear and even edge.

Hey guys, I spent New Year’s Eve on a last practice before my internship at a saddlers workshop. Since I only own dogs and got a new toy (what my friends jokingly call my little leather splitter), I decided to make a flat and a rolled collar. Both were made to measure for my mum’s dog. I’m still waiting on my new creaser, which might arrive tomorrow, so all decorative lines are missing for now. # Italian leather with steel hardware. The blue hide is dead stock and no longer available. I originally bought it for my dog’s new harness, but I had already planned to use some for dog collars. When my mum and I discussed the collar, she mentioned a whole hide of flower-print fashion leather (1.5–2 mm) that I was gifted by my grandparents. Since I was already working on some reflective piping for my dog’s new harness, we decided to use this leather for a colorful twist on the plain blue design. This project really tested my patience — I had to cut a 2-inch strap three times due to mistakes! Just when I was ready to give up, I finally got it right. If you look closely, you can still see my maker’s marks on the back side of the pull. The pink stitches are purely decorative and inspired by the beautiful work of Windsor & Hanly Bridles from England. The stitching ended up being the most fun part of the project! For my first rolled collar, I’m quite happy with how it turned out and learned a lot in the process. My mum already wants another one as soon as I’m back from my internship, and I’m planning one for my dog too. I used 10 mm dog leash rope for the core, as my mum’s dog is fairly large. Both collars measure 46 cm from the third hole. On my bench right now are a half-checkered/martingale collar and a harness, which I hope to finish by Tuesday evening. All in all, these were fun last projects before trying to convince the pros that I’m worth their while. The rolled collar, in particular, was a great stress test.

I can only recommend trying that out. We measured my mums dog today and damn! He looks so easy to get a harness for, but when you look at the measurements he is even more of a challenge than Tova. Hope you had a nice new years eve and good start into the new year. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 3 - Measurements to design In the previous part, we took our measurements. By now, you should have three values for each measurement. For the next steps, we will work with the average of those values. This helps smooth out small inconsistencies and gives us a realistic baseline for design decisions. Measurements alone, however, do not build a harness. Before we translate numbers into leather and straps, we need to talk about harness types—because not every set of measurements works for every design. The goal of this part is not to rank harnesses as “good” or “bad”, but to understand: what each harness type is designed to do where its anatomical limits are and which measurements matter most for each design Only then can we choose the right harness for the dog in front of us. Overview of Common Harness Types 1. The Y-Harness For a long time, this was my go-to harness for most dogs—and in many cases, it still is. However, while researching for this guide, some findings surprised me and made it clear that even the Y-harness is not universally ideal. A typical Y-harness consists of: two neck pieces forming the Y-shape one chest strap one dorsal strap one torso (thoracic) strap, usually opening on the left and right Its main advantage is that, when correctly designed and fitted, it can: keep straps away from the shoulder joint distribute pressure relatively evenly allow good shoulder extension Its biggest risk lies in incorrect vertical placement of the chest and neck straps, which can interfere with shoulder and elbow movement—especially in dogs with long forelimbs or narrow chests. This harness type is highly sensitive to accurate measurements and will be used later in this part as a full worked example. 2. The Chest Strap Harness Chest strap harnesses use a horizontal strap across the chest rather than a Y-shape. They can work well for: dogs with longer legs dogs where the elbow-to-floor distance is large dogs whose anatomy causes Y-straps to sit too high or too low However, they are more prone to: restricting stride extension if placed too low pushing into the shoulder if strap width is poorly chosen This makes leg length and elbow movement critical measurements for this design. 3. Tactical / Working Harnesses These harnesses are commonly used for working dogs, such as guide dogs or service dogs. They are typically: heavier wider more rigid designed to distribute load over a larger surface Their priority is stability and load bearing, not minimal interference. As a result, they are rarely suitable for: young dogs dogs with sensitive shoulders dogs expected to move freely at speed For leatherworkers, these designs require special attention to weight, padding, and strap width, as poor choices can quickly lead to restriction. 4. Step-In Harnesses Step-in harnesses are easy to put on and popular for small dogs. Biomechanically, they often: cross the shoulder area sit close to or directly over the scapula restrict shoulder rotation They may “measure fine” in circumference but still significantly alter movement, especially at the trot. 5. Vest Harnesses Vest harnesses distribute pressure over a large surface area and are often marketed as comfortable. In practice, they: limit skin movement restrict shoulder and spinal motion trap heat hide poor fit behind padding They can be appropriate in very specific cases, but from a biomechanical perspective, they leave little room for precise adjustment. ——————— Now that we have talked about the different harness types, we now need to figure how our measurments translate into each type. 2. Translate Each Measurement Into Design Parameters Take each measurement from Part 2, and show its relevance for each harness type: Measurement Y-Harness Chest Strap Tactical Step-In Vest Elbow-to-floor Determines lowest safe chest strap Determines strap height Safety, clearance Clearance Clearance Shoulder blade width Limits dorsal strap width Limits dorsal or back strap width Width of harness back panel Step-in strap clearance Shoulder padding placement Chest width (elbow-to-elbow) Determines chest strap width Same Same Same Same Torso circumference Stability & snug fit Stability & snug fit Load distribution Fit & security Fit & surface contact Neck circumference Neck straps placement Often secondary Often critical Critical for step-in Neck padding Now, let’s check how that looks for Tova. Here are her measurements. Neck 38.3 Elbow to floor 26 Torso 57 Chest 27.5 Elbow to Elbow 14.5 Back 22.5 They already tell us that she has realtivly long legs in comparision to her Torso. So anyting with a low strap or a step- in is not a good fit. Also she has quite narrow shoulders, this rules out any design requiring a wide dorsal part, so no teactical or vest harness as they would rub and restrict her movement. She also sports a moderate chest width this limits our options for chest straps quiets a bit when we want to avoid intereference with elbow extension. Her Torso gives enough space for a Y-harness or a chest harness, but a vest is too much coverage for her specific anatomy. In .Conclusion: Y-Harness: well-suited if straps are carefully sized and positioned as it allows free shoulder and elbow movement. Chest Strap Harness: possible, but strap height must be checked against elbow-to-floor to avoid interference. Step-In Harness: unsuitable, likely restricts shoulder rotation and interferes with stride. Vest Harness: unsuitable, shoulder clearance too narrow; could rub and restrict movement. Tactical / Working Harness: borderline — width and rigidity may cause pressure points; careful custom adjustment required. Using her measurements like this, we can already rule out designs that don’t fit her biomechanics and focus on the ones that do. Next, we’ll translate these numbers into exact strap lengths and widths for a Y-harness. Step 1: Determining Strap Widths As mentioned in Part 2, Tova has very little space between her shoulder blades. This immediately tells us that any strap wider than 1 inch on the dorsal strap would risk rubbing or restricting her shoulder movement. Because I also plan to pad the harness with plastizote and leather, the final effective width needs to account for that padding. For the best fit: Dorsal strap: 1 inch (carries the most pressure, so slightly wider is okay with padding) Other straps (neck, chest, torso): 3/4 inch (enough clearance and room for padding without restricting movement) Tip: Always measure the space between shoulder blades at full stride — you want straps to move with the dog, not press into the anatomy. This simple width plan ensures the harness is comfortable, safe, and functional while still allowing you to add padding where needed. Step 2: Determining Strap Lengths For each strap, length is calculated not just from raw measurements, but also considering clearance for movement, leather thickness, and adjustment. 1. Neck Straps Measurement: Neck = 38.3 cm Calculation: Start with the neck circumference. Add ~2–3 cm for padding and to allow one finger gap. Add extra 2–3 cm if you plan to include a buckle or adjustable closure. Result for Tova: ~43–44 cm for the full neck piece, I also calculated the buckles and O-Rings into the measure. I decieded for buckles left and right as with her measures the harness does not work as an overhead slip harness and I wanted to have more possibilities for adjusting the harness. I also added 4 inches to both parts of the neck piece for a more easy to work buckle turn. Tip: Ensure straps sit in front of the sternum and do not push into the shoulders. 2. Chest Strap Measurements: Elbow-to-elbow = 14.5 cm, Chest = 27.5 cm, Elbow-to-floor = 26 cm Calculation: Base length = distance between attachment points on neck pieces. Add clearance to sit ~2–3 cm above the elbow path. Include padding allowance (~0.5 cm per side). Result for Tova: ~32–33 cm total length plus 4 inches for buckle turns. Tip: Test fit loosely first; the strap should never touch elbows during stride. 3. Dorsal Strap Measurement: Back (shoulder blade distance) = 22.5 cm Calculation: Length = distance from top of neck straps to thoracic strap. Add 1–2 cm for padding and stitching. Result for Tova: ~24 cm plus 4 inches for turns Tip: Keep it centered along the spine; do not widen — your max measure is really your maximum width measure! 4. Torso / Thoracic Strap Measurement: Torso circumference = 57 cm Calculation: Base length = circumference just behind the forelimbs. Add ~3–4 cm for adjustability. Result for Tova: ~60–61 cm plus 4 inches for turns and I split the part into a shorter part with straps, and a longer one with buckles and looping. Tip: Strap should stay above elbow range, snug but not tight. 5. Sketch up the design Having a clear overview of what you want to do is key, so I can only advise you to make a sketch and take note of your measures. After that you can start on making a road map of the order in which you want to build your harness and get an overview of what you will need. I for example will need 2 x O-rings 1 Dee- ring 4 buckles (2 roller, 2 belt) 3 straps of leather (2x 3/4 inches and 1x 1 inch) 6mm plastizote padding leather (leather cord, reflective tape -> I decided to include reflective piping) looping 1/16 inch wide. I also decided I will post my WIP. You might've noticed, that I wrote this guide a bit in advance and am a bit further along in the construction process. As I splitted the neck piece I now have two pieces. Actually, that was really nice for stitching! This is how it looks without the torso strap, as I am still waiting on some buckles and my new adjustable creaser. This is how the strap around the torso will be joined with the dorsal, padding is still missing to avoid any sliding. And here you can see that I decided for a loop (full leather thickness!, skive started behind the point where both layers meet) to keep flexibility when the leather softens, but I will add some "restruction" by possibly adding some padding left and right, but I will test it's performance on "bare bones" before. I tested the harness progressively during construction. For full-motion testing, I used flat rope in place of the thoracic strap so I could confirm fit and movement before cutting final leather. This made it easy to adjust geometry without locking in strap lengths too early. Part 4 will go more in depth with construction.

Part 2 – Measuring Your Dog This part is much more hands-on. You will see photos and graphics and get an explanation for every single measurement, so you can fully understand what you are measuring—and why it matters. Before we start, I want to introduce the dog who will be the model for all graphics and pictures in this guide. Meet Tova This is Tova. She is almost three years old and an English Setter mix from Tuscany, Italy. I got her when she was imported to Germany at six months of age. Since then, we’ve been a team—chaotic, playful, and always on the lookout for an adventure. When I got her, I already had years of experience with dogs and their equipment. Still, I quickly realised that I didn’t know everything. It started with collars and ended with constantly ill-fitting harnesses. The harnesses she wore caused discomfort over time, especially for her long back—and that was on me. They were always some unfortunate mix of too large in one place and too small in another, and I didn’t spot the problem early enough. She is the reason I want to do better. So, how do we actually do better? By measuring our dogs correctly. General Measuring Rules - Take each measurement three times - Let your dog move a few steps between measuring rounds - Later, before cutting leather, check each strap length three times - Precision matters. Your dog will thank you. What You’ll Need Chalk (as soft as possible) or any non-toxic, non-permanent marker that shows on fur A flexible tape measure Something to write on Something to write with What We Are Going to Measure Neck circumference (in front of the sternum, below collar position) Elbow to floor Elbow to elbow Distance between the shoulder blades Torso circumference (widest part of the ribcage) Distance from chest to torso Distance from neck to widest part of the ribcage Before Measuring: Position and Anatomy Before taking any measurements, we need to understand the anatomy of the individual dog in front of us. Your dog should stand directly in front of you. I was able to measure Tova on my own, but if your dog is more active, get someone to help hold them calmly. Make sure: all four paws are on the ground the paws are as parallel as possible the dog stands “closed” (equestrians know exactly what I mean) Now grab your chalk—and a good amount of patience. Marking Anatomical Landmarks (This Is the Key Step) 1. Shoulder Line First, locate the shoulder and draw a line along it. In my photos this may be hard to see because Tova has her winter coat and the chalk didn’t show as well as I hoped. If you’re unsure what to look for, Figure 1 will help. Repeat this on both sides, then connect the lines across the neck and chest. 2. Shoulder Blade Positions (Static and Dynamic) Next, locate the shoulder blades and mark each side with a dot or cross. Now lift one front paw as high as your dog normally lifts it while walking. Feel for the shoulder blade again and mark its new position in the same way. This shows you how much the shoulder blade actually moves. 3. Elbow Movement Zone With the paw still lifted, locate the elbow and draw a vertical line marking its range. Repeat this for both sides. 4. Widest Part of the Ribcage Now locate the widest part of the ribcage. Some companies recommend measuring “one hand behind the elbow.” From observing different conformations, I’ve found that this rule of thumb does not consistently hold true. Instead, visually and manually identify the widest point and mark it with a vertical line on both sides. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ At this point, your dog will look like a child discovered abstract art. Now is also a good moment to calmly reassure your partner or other dog owners or concerned bystanders, that yes—you are completely fine. These chalk lines are our guides. They show us where movement happens and where straps must not interfere. Our motto here is very much work smarter, not harder—especially if your dog is not the calmest individual. Taking the Actual Measurements 1. Neck Circumference Using the shoulder line you drew earlier, measure above this line and around the neck, between the chalk line and the collar position. The tape should sit flat You should be able to slide at least one finger underneath If this measurement does not fit over your dog’s collar, that is not a problem. This will make sense later when we translate measurements into design. 2. Torso Circumference (Widest Ribcage Point) Use the vertical chalk lines marking the widest ribcage point as your guide. Measure all the way around the torso. Keep the tape level and as vertical as possible Now cross-check with the elbow movement lines: there should be at least two finger widths between the torso strap position and the elbow movement zone If not, move the measurement slightly backward. Elbow clearance is non-negotiable. 3. Distance Between the Shoulder Blades Measure the distance between the dynamic shoulder blade markings (the lifted-paw positions). This measurement tells you how wide the dorsal (back) strap is allowed to be. In Tova’s case, I ended up with less than one inch of usable space during movement. This means: the strap must be narrow, padding must be minimal and carefully planned Ignoring this leads to direct scapular restriction. 4. Distance from Chest to Torso (Between the Front Legs) Measure from the chest/sternum area back to the widest ribcage point between the front legs. This measurement defines how long the chest strap is allowed to be without drifting into the elbow movement zone. Measurements That Seem Odd—but Matter a Lot 5. Elbow to Floor Measure from the lowest point of the elbow straight down to the floor. This measurement tells us: how low a chest or Y-strap may sit where vertical restriction begins whether a harness design risks interfering with stride extension This is especially important for chest strap and Y-harness designs as this measure give us an overview of the swing radius of the dog. 6. Elbow to Elbow Measure horizontally from one elbow to the other. This measurement defines: how wide a chest strap or Y-front can be how much lateral freedom the forelimbs need Too narrow causes pressure and rubbing. Too wide pushes straps into the shoulder joint. Now take these measurements another two times until you have 3 measures for each measurement point. Caption: This is written in german and says Neck, Elbow, Torso, Chest, Elbow to Elbow, Back ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Final Note for This Part If a strap crosses a chalk movement zone, it will interfere with movement—no matter how well it “fits” on paper. Measurements are not just numbers. They are boundaries defined by anatomy and motion. In the next part, we’ll use these exact measurements to: choose the appropriate harness type and translate them into a functional design This is where everything starts to come together.

Thank you! Ah! Yes, that was definetly a mistake due to sleepiness. My trainer would yell at me as we just had a discussion about martingals and when and when not to use them. 😆 The measurement part, is currently in wirting and I hope to have publish ready this evening. And again thank you! I hope to learn a lot and maybe even find a new calling. I'm literaly sick and tired of pro-bono work by now and constantly having to fix the issues non-certified consultants caused. They get paid a lot of money, I don't even see a cent while doing the work they promised to do but failed to deliver - I don't think I have to say more. 😅

Hello everyone, Some of you might already know that I am currently working on a Y-harness for my dog. During my research for this project, I noticed a recurring problem: many people try to build their own harnesses but miss several critical points. At the same time, there are surprisingly few good tutorials that explain not only how to build a harness, but also why certain design choices matter. This guide is my attempt to change that. You are very welcome to contribute—whether by adding points I may have missed or by correcting information if something turns out to be inaccurate. This guide is not intended for training purposes, provides no medical advice, and does not include product comparisons or commercial recommendations. It is a design and fitting guide, grounded as much as possible in biomechanics. I am not a professional—just a science nerd who loves her dog and struggled to find properly fitting harnesses in stores. My goal is to share knowledge and reasoning, so you can make informed choices when designing or fitting a harness for your own dog. In several parts, I will explain how to measure a dog for a harness and, more importantly, the reasoning behind those measurements and design decisions. Before we dive into the topic : a few general words on harness building and materials. When building a harness, always ask about the intended use first, and only then look at the dog and honestly assess whether the harness type you have in mind is suitable. Some harness designs simply do not fit certain dogs—no matter how well they are made. In my opinion, a harness must fit the dog first, and the purpose second. When choosing fittings, always check: breaking strength maximum load overall size and weight A practical rule I follow is: maximum load = dog’s body weight × 4 Scale matters. A Dachshund needs very different (lighter) fittings than a Newfoundland. Oversized hardware adds unnecessary weight and can negatively affect balance and comfort. Leather Choice (This Is Not Optional) For leather harnesses, I recommend: 3–4 mm thickness normal to hard tempered leather (I personally prefer hard) leather from the butt or dorsal (spine) area preferably harness or bridle leather (For my own harness, I use Italian harness leather, double butt with a resin back. (Note: this particular leather is not suitable for equestrian saddlery work, but works well for dog harnesses.)) This type of leather stretches less over time and holds its shape better, which is essential if you want to use the harness for more than a few weeks. Heavily oiled or fat leather is cheaper, yes—but it stretches significantly more and often has a very high breaking strength. In a worst-case scenario, we want the leather to fail before the metal fittings. If a dog gets caught and cannot slip out of the harness, it is safer for the leather to break than for rigid metal to hold indefinitely. For animal welfare reasons: do not use heavily oiled or fat leather for harnesses. Breed, Build, and Development Breed and build must always be considered when fitting a harness. For example: My current dog is long, mid-height, and slender My previous Springer Spaniel was long, sturdy, and rounder My mother’s dog is tall, long, slender, and overbuilt Three dogs—three very different ideal harnesses. Also consider how your dog may change with age. While growth and muscle development cannot be predicted perfectly, ignoring them entirely is a mistake. Some breeds are also more prone to injuries caused by ill-fitted harnesses, which makes proper fitting even more important. Part 1 – Biomechanics As mentioned earlier: a harness has to fit the dog. The other way around is simply impossible. The goal of a harness is to act as a leading device that interferes with the dog’s natural movement as little as possible. To achieve this, we must first understand canine biomechanics. In this section, I reference several open-access scientific sources using APA 7 style, all linked at the end of this part. I will do the same in every following section whenever possible. Harnesses and Their Effect on Movement The way a harness distributes pressure across a dog’s body actively affects gait and overall movement. Research on this topic is not entirely uniform: some studies show changes in spinal movement when a harness is used others show changes in stride length compared to walking on a collar some find little difference under certain conditions What we can safely say is that harness design matters. Many modern harnesses are marketed to restrict “undesirable” movement, such as pulling. This is not a long-term solution. If you are using a harness to prevent pulling, please work with a qualified trainer. The main advantage of a harness is that it removes pressure from the neck and—ideally—distributes it more evenly across the body. Stride Length, Shoulder Freedom, and Body Proportions In a study by Williams et al. (2023), it was shown that the distance from a dog’s elbow to the ground is a key measurement when evaluating how restrictive a harness is on stride length. This has practical consequences: Dogs with longer legs may benefit from a chest-strap harness rather than a Y-harness Smaller breeds often have relatively longer shoulders compared to forelimb length In these dogs, a chest strap may sit too high and actively restrict shoulder movement The conclusion is simple but important: no harness fits every dog. Weight Distribution and the Kinetic Chain A healthy dog carries up to 60% of its body weight on the forelimbs. The spine, shoulders, and limbs function as a single connected kinetic chain (Sürer et al., 2020). Even small changes in one area can alter overall movement patterns, affecting back motion and limb coordination. Irregularities in movement are most easily detected at the trot. An ill-fitted harness can, over time, lead to a shift of weight from the forelimbs to the hindquarters (Williams et al., 2023). One simple indicator for owners is to closely observe their dog’s movement on a collar versus in a harness. Because dogs do not have a clavicle, the shoulder joint is a so-called “false joint,” stabilized primarily by muscle. Poor harness fit can affect both the scapula and the spinous processes of the spine. Compensation and Injury Risk Canine gait can be modeled in three dimensions and is normally symmetrical. This symmetry breaks down when the range of motion of any limb is restricted. A study by Lin et al. (2020) demonstrates that dogs compensate rather than stop moving. Forward motion is maintained by redistributing forces—often until injury occurs. Dogs are very good at hiding discomfort. This makes it our responsibility as owners and builders to ensure that equipment supports healthy movement instead of silently undermining it. This concept is very similar to saddle fitting in horses. A well-fitting saddle that allows the shoulder to glide freely results in smoother, more even movement. Girths and breastplates also offer useful parallels. The thoracic (belly) strap of a harness serves a similar function to a girth: keeping the equipment in place Like a girth, it must allow free elbow movement If it interferes with the elbow, stride length is restricted and weight shifts rearward A breastplate in horses prevents forward saddle movement; in dog harnesses, the chest strap primarily distributes pressure and stabilizes the harness. Anything positioned in front of the shoulder has the potential to restrict stride extension and must therefore be fitted to the individual dog. This is a common shortcoming of chest-strap harnesses when strap width and placement are poorly chosen. A Final Word on Restriction For those who intentionally want to restrict their dog’s movement using a harness: be aware that restriction worsens under tension. An open-access DAWGAIT dissertation shows that while a dog may appear to move normally at a walk, restrictions become evident at trot and gallop. What feels like “only a little restriction” can quickly turn into a real problem under load. Personally, I use a harness to allow my dog to move freely in front of me. The leash is never tight—it is simply an extension of my arm, used for safety and communication. Our walks are calm, low-stress, and give my dog the freedom to explore while staying secure. I also use harnesses as a secondary safety measure in new or potentially frightening situations, especially with young or insecure dogs. Used thoughtfully and fitted correctly, a harness can be a valuable tool. Used carelessly, it can do long-term harm. In the next part, I’ll show you exactly how I measured my dog for her new harness. I’m still waiting on some new tools, so updates might come a bit slower than I’d like—but I’ll share everything as soon as I can. Sources: Lin, C.-C., Wu, C.-H., Chou, P.-Y., Chen, Y.-C., & Chen, C.-H. (2020). Evaluation of a multibody kinematics optimization method for three-dimensional canine pelvic limb gait analysis. BMC Veterinary Research, 16(1), Article 105. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-020-02323-5 Sürer, E., Evangelisti, M. A., Paolini, G., Della Croce, U., & Manunta, M. L. (2020). A canine gait analysis protocol for back movement assessment in German Shepherd dogs. Veterinary Sciences, 7(4), Article 195. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci7040195 Williams, E. R., Hunton, V. D., Boyd, J. A., & Carter, A. J. (2023). Effect of harness design on the biomechanics of domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris). PeerJ, 11, e14719. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14719 University of Georgia. (n.d.). DAWGAIT: Development and application of an open-source tool for canine gait analysis(Doctoral dissertation). UGA Open Scholar. https://openscholar.uga.edu

I get the fear! Starting a business is scary, especially when R&D feels like it’s draining time and money. But here’s the truth: A/B Testing ≠ Huge Stock You don’t need shelves full of products. One prototype, a couple of good phone photos, and you’re ready to test. Especially if you want to test on social media! A/B testing is about interest, not inventory. Perfect for handmade. R&D Isn’t Wasteful — It’s Smart Every business, big or small, starts with prototypes. Sharing early versions, showing the process, or testing reactions isn’t lost effort — it’s efficient. R&D teaches you what will actually sell. There are no shortcuts, and there shouldn’t be. Stop Comparing Handmade to Cheap Imports Mass-manufactured and handmade are two different worlds. Different markets. Different expectations. Different pricing. If you keep attracting people who don’t value handmade work, the issue isn’t your product — it’s your branding and targeting. If People Don’t Care About Your Quality, You’re Aiming at the Wrong Crowd! Handmade was never meant for everyone. So don’t try to sell to “everyone.” It won’t work. How to Define Your Actual Customer Create a clear profile of your ideal customer, like a blue print: Who are they? How old? Income? Style? What do they value? Why your product? Where can you reach them? Example: Luxury Handmade Leather Dog Collar Let’s say you make a premium Italian leather collar with brass hardware. Your customer? Women 25–30 who love luxury fashion. They hear “Italian leather,” and instantly think of designer handbags. They earn 45–50k a year. They want aesthetics, exclusivity, status — for themselves and their pets. You’ll reach them on Instagram, TikTok, and through boutique-style soft launches. They aren't bargain hunters. They want a vibe. Position Yourself Smartly Look at brands in your space and map out the market. Find where you fit — and where you stand out. Your personal USP, if you will. Branding Matters More Than You Think Handmade brands collapse not because the products are bad, but because their story is bland. Have colours. Have a logo that means something. Know your story and say it with confidence. People buy a feeling, not “just a collar.” Tell a Better Story Example: Weak version: “My granddad gave me his watch, strap was broken, I made a new one.” Stronger version: “When I was sixteen, my granddad gave me his watch. I adored the man. When the strap broke, I couldn’t find anything worthy of it — so I made one myself. It fit perfectly. Friends started asking for the same. That’s how this all began, and I still love creating pieces that make people light up when they finally get the strap they’ve dreamed of.” Same facts. Completely different emotional impact. And yes — follow-up matters A simple personal message a month later with cleaning tips or care advice? A small newsletter with new products and maintenance tips? Or at Christmas fairs: offer gift wrapping for a small upcharge in simple paper in your brand colours, sealed with a cheap sticker that carries your logo — instant “premium” feel and almost free advertising. There are so many options. The more personal and creative, the better — and none of it has to be expensive. A sheet of stickers costs what, here in Germany maybe 10€ for 500 pieces? Set a tiny marketing budget and actually plan with it. Small, thoughtful touches go a very long way. That’s how you turn a one-time buyer into a loyal fan who recommends you to everyone. If you still have questions about any of this, feel free to message me. I’m happy to point you in the right direction. ☺️ Best, Tove

Oh, this is exactly my kind of question! Certified business consultant here 😉 A/B testing is your best friend — whether online or at fairs. How it works Create a small batch of Product A (e.g., watch straps) and Product B (e.g., journal covers). Photograph both well. On social media If you use Meta Business Suite, you can even target different groups. Show Product A to Group A, Product B to Group B. Let the test run for a few days up to a month, then compare: likes comments link clicks profile visits Whichever product generates stronger engagement is the better performer. This method is often more reliable than fairs because the data is cleaner. At fairs Best if both fairs are in the same region. Bring slightly different assortments each time — more of Product A at one fair, more of Product B at the next. Compare: actual sales total revenue which product attracts more conversation or attention You can A/B test pricing too Announce Product A at Price X (production cost + 40% raw profit) to Group A, and Product A at Price Y (production cost + 56% raw profit) to Group B. Check the same statistics as above plus any DMs or inquiries. It’s an easy way to find your optimal price point. Don’t forget the math When you evaluate a product line, include: production time (based on average hourly wage in your area) material costs packaging share of workshop rent tool depreciation (please don't forget that! Most hobbiest do and it's simply undermining the value) insurance booth fees (for fairs) + costs to get to fair (fuel etc.) percentage of profit cost of storage Calculate how many units you must sell just to break even. Then look at how realistic that number is within your usual sales cycle. That alone often reveals whether a product line is worth pursuing. Despite that also consider if things can be bundled or cross sold, e.g If a person buys a watch strap, do they buy a matching belt? If so - make a bundle (a watchstrap and a matching belt together for production cost plus 45% profit so slightly cheaper together in a bundle, than as two seperatly chosen products, also advertise it as a great deal (even if it's not)) or at least a cross sale offer (the belt is suggested when someone looks at watchstaps or simply place the somewhat matching belts close by at your booth, that they are in eyeside together). Selling is simple psychology and not magic or high profile science you need countless degrees for, make use of it! Hope I was of help, Best Tove

Hey JDFred, Coming from English saddlery but having ridden plenty of sporthorses in side pulls, I’ll just flag one thing first: true bitless side pulls never include a bit, so double-check whether the bridle you’re copying is actually a side pull in the traditional sense. About the rope noseband: rope can be quite severe depending on thickness and how the bridle is fitted. Thinner = harsher. A double-rope noseband looks nice, but for a genuinely bitless setup I’d think carefully about comfort, pressure points, and avoiding nerves, vessels, and airflow areas. Bitless absolutely needs good fit and thoughtful construction. I looked at the Weaver version — the construction is simple and easy to adapt for a made-to-measure fit. The two-piece crown connected by loops wouldn’t be my first choice for bitless. I’d switch to an anatomical crown with proper tongues for the cheekpieces and a clean buckle setup for the throatlatch. It distributes pressure better, has a more stable fit, avoids hot-spots, and lets you disassemble the whole bridle easily for cleaning or repairs. Plus you can tool it and make it look extra special and pretty for your mother-in-law. The browband seems optional in their design, but adding a V-shape, U or straight keeps things stable and makes the bridle look intentionally built, not improvised. I personally would, lookwise go with a V-shape as it is something slightly different and kind of special. Noseband: For each side: cut one wider strap (matching the crown attachment width) and two shorter, narrower straps to attach the noseband. Instead of tying rope directly to O-rings, I prefer attaching rope to leather: thin both ends of a small strap (half thickness, about 1/2 to 1 (British)inch), sandwich the rope, stitch through the center, then attach that piece to the cheek section. Add the O-rings at the midpoint for the side-pull action, and a small buckle strap underneath to fine-tune the noseband fit. Yada yada … you know the deed. This gives you a cleaner look, better stability, and avoids bulky knots. About your leather choice: Harness leather is great for headstalls and heavy-duty tack because it’s strong, dense, and heavily stuffed with oils and waxes. But for a full bridle — especially something bitless where pressure distribution matters — bridle leather or dorsal generally performs better. I heard it's hard to come by in america, due to more and more tanneries closing down (?) but I would at least give it a try, Bridle leather is smoother, more flexible, takes edging beautifully, and breaks in comfortably on a horse’s face. Dorsal leather is even firmer and extremely stable, ideal for pieces that shouldn’t stretch. Harness leather, while durable, can be a bit stiff across sensitive areas and doesn’t contour as nicely around the nose and jaw. So: harness works, bridle leather works better, dorsal is excellent if you need maximum stability. Measure the horse, mark the key anatomical areas to avoid, and from there the whole bridle comes down to thoughtful strapwork. I hope I was able to help and give some ideas, Best Tove

Hey, as BlackDragon has already pointed out, saddles are a sensitive piece of equipment. The idea of toring saddles apart is nice, but also try to get your hands on books and stuff by Jochen Schleese and saddlefit for Life to understand the basics. I really never get tired of recommending Schleese (also the saddles, as well as Albion), as he has great insights into: 1. saddles and why they have to be constructed as they are 2. Biomechanics and why a saddle has to fit a certain way 3. The work of a saddler (he was trained by Passier and Sohn but now lives in Canada) And believe me, you need those things to understand saddlery and therefore how to repair things. If you want to learn the basics, there you get a very good foundation, so you can offer a real benefit to your customers. He also writes in some articles about western saddles and what to take into account for them and why don't fit every horse, despite most saddlers (at least here in Germany) trying to make them work on every horse. I can't say much about Stohlman and Gonzales, but they seem to be great for observing how it is done. Schleese, gives you the why it is done in accordance with science. As a scientist and a soon to be saddler apprentice, he is my best weapon and also helped me to prepare for my upcoming try outs, so I can ask informed questions instead of dumb ones. Best Tove.

My quatermoonknife by a swiss knife factory - forgot the name and am too lazy to check. I would by now probably rather buy a Solingen Pik Ass, as they are cheaper here (and are supposed to have superior Quality) also I live somewhat close to Solingen. But since I own that knife and especially learnt how to use it, my leatherwork became much more intricate and life so much easier!

Oh wow, what an amazing story! That’s, by the way, also what I love about female entrepreneurship. It’s so often born out of necessity and the environment these women exist in (Ekensmith, 2017), and ends up being so much more than meets the eye. To me, those women are the real heroes! They deserve far more recognition (and funding… looking at you, Friedrich Merz, for cutting so much start-up support in the name of “kickstarting” the economy)! I'll try to keep my fingers intact! 😂 So far I only heard very good things about the company. It is what it is … I'm a certified Business Consultant, that's somewhat of a rarity, especially here in Germany. So I can't really be mad, when people don't get why you need to be certified in order to consult businesses. I guess on that end, there is also a lot of unwillingness to recognise the benefits and the therefore misfit of 90% of the other people working at the consulting firm. Plus, probably the biggest problem, I still have 6 - 9 NDA's running and can't talk about the most fun and hugh projects I did, while studying. I'm so sad about it, as OMG they were sooooo cool! What did your sister end up doing? What a waste! I don’t even want to imagine how many brilliant ideas were lost because men told women they were “amazing at the typewriter.” 🙄 What if someone had said that to Marie Curie, Hedy Lamarr (not the best example, I know), or Elizabeth Arden and they’d actually listened?

Uhh! That sheath looks like it's going to be a show stopper at any LARP event. Nice work!

Oh Sheila, that sounds really too familiar! It's a men's world, we are just allowed to exist in it as it feels. Some time ago, I used to be furious about it. Now I just shrug and say, “As long as no man kills me, it’s fine.” It’s dark humor, but honestly… it’s survival. In my field, it’s insane how you can be highly qualified and still not get the job, while a man with barely any qualifications — just a few more month of experience in any field, but yours — gets hired easily and then looks at you like you’re crazy for even daring to apply. I’ve beaten McKinsey consultants in practical exams, but none of that seems to matter anymore. Instead, people get angry that I refuse to work for free. So really, changing careers just feels healthier — especially considering how the political climate here in Germany is shifting. And thank you for sharing your story! And glad you found your place as a nurse! The Dr. Best story sounds amazing and inspiring. I can totally understand why you would have loved to do this permanently. My best story is probably working with THE family business consultant and scholar (he loves! like really loves, alpro chocolate milk and is the most chill Italian guy I've ever met! Plus had the craziest stories form sitting in family boards) and being told by an Ex-Wallstreet Broker, that he thinks I'm highly talented (best about that: A McKinnsey Consultant heard that and was sooooo goddamn mad at me, she really showed her "best" character" 😂). Since then, I can't take any McKinsey Consultant seriously for life of me.

Hello guys, I thought as I have nowhere else to share this and it might be appreciated here, I'd post it. Three weeks ago, I applied to a very well-known (not allowed to say which one) saddlery here in Germany for an apprenticeship. At first, I was hesitant — starting again from zero with two higher education degrees is scary! Especially after being told (and basically lied to) for years that a degree in economics would secure my future. Well… times have changed since I got my master’s degree last year. After a year of grinding my teeth, sending out endless job applications for any position I could find, getting only one interview, and being ghosted over 500 times — I was done. My chronic depression was acting up again, the worst episodes I had in years. One following the next. My options were: A - Leave Germany and never come back (which the job center actually suggested - one problem less in their book), or B - Change careers completely, despite not having had the chance to work in my actual career since finishing my degree (fun fact - I've even won a prize for a concept 😆) After some serious thinking, I realized a career change might be for the better. The final nail in the coffin was when a psychologist told me I should “get married and have children” because I’d studied for a job I’d only get if I had a family — or if I were a man. That was the moment I accepted that finance and consulting might not be for me or just as a hobby — at least, in this society. So, what was left? Passion. Don’t get me wrong, I love helping emerging companies succeed, and I’m passionate about female entrepreneurship and family business consulting — but let’s face reality: I’m a woman in my mid-20s. I’ve always had a deep love for leatherwork. Saddles have fascinated me for as long as I can remember — and don’t even get me started on bridles! So when I saw that this company was still looking for an apprentice, I just sent in my application: CV, degree, motivation letter, and a detailed portfolio. I was terrified. The last saddlery I applied to (after a boring PhD seminar that had me reminiscing a lot) had sent me a very "kind" rejection. So I expected the usual phrases like: “We had more qualified applicants” or “Thank you for your application, but we had too many.” But instead, something almost magical happened — I was offered a two-week internship to see if we’re a good match. No “you’re overqualified,” no “another failed academic.” Just a kind invitation, a start date in January, and a short list of what to bring and where to stay. Never in my life did I think I’d be so happy about an internship! Getting this chance means the world to me — even if it doesn’t work out. Just being given the opportunity for a new beginning, and not being treated like a problem for once, feels amazing. I was also informed that I’m not allowed to share anything about the saddlery online, especially during my stay, since they own several patents. That’s fine by me — I’m used to NDAs from working with companies during my master’s. (Fun fact: when you hire a consultant, you always let them sign one because of sensitive data!) They can hand me one, and I’ll gladly sign — though, of course, I always read before signing 😆 I’m just beyond excited to get a glimpse into the professional leatherworking world — and maybe even meet my master along the way. Until January, I plan to level up my leatherworking skills as much as I can. In start-up consultancy, we say: “A raw diamond is perfect because you can shape and sharpen it — until it either breaks or becomes a jewel.” That probably applies to apprentices too, but I still feel like I want to be of use right from the start. Sorry for the novel — and to anyone who read the full story: thank you! ❤️ Feel appreciated!

Tom, if they ship to the US, Sprenger might have what you are searching for. https://www.sprenger.de/collections/geschirrbeschlage They usually have everything you need for Horsebridles, Harnesses and even some saddle parts. Quality is really superior!

First of all, thanks for the mention! Even though I don’t do tooling myself and mainly focus on English-style leatherwork, I thought I’d share a few points that might be useful. I work almost exclusively with an adjustable creaser, a saddler’s compass (or “circle”), and pricking irons (French style) or overstitch wheels — the latter being very common and easier to get here in Germany. One important thing to consider, especially when making gear for larger dogs, is: avoid diamond chisels. There’s a great explanation by Nigel Armitage in the pricking iron review thread (I’ll link it when I find it). In short — pricking irons and overstitch wheels are marking tools, not punching tools. They’re used to show where your awl should enter the leather. You only pierce one hole at a time, which allows the leather to swell back around the thread, creating a stronger, cleaner, and more traditional stitch. Also, about needles — don’t go for the cheapest ones. With 9 oz leather (around 3.5 mm, right?), you’ll occasionally need pliers to pull them through. My long-time recommendation: harness needles. They’re reliable and made for heavy work. And don’t forget beeswax! Even if your thread is pre-waxed, re-waxing from time to time helps a lot. Beeswax has been one of my must-haves ever since I started leatherwork at 14. If you want flat stitches, tap them gently with a soft mallet or use a thread roller — one of my favorite tools lately. Personally, I’d say 5.4 mm spacing is quite large. My old 4 mm irons already produce a fairly wide stitch pattern, which can look unfinished depending on the project. Outfitting your workshop is definitely challenging in the beginning — I’m not exactly looking forward to how my toolbox will expand once I start my apprenticeship! You really do need some disposable income for this craft, but don’t be fooled — you can skip a few “nice to have” tools in the beginning. Also invest into a good awl and figure out which one works best for you and also try different handle sizes. I have very nice (good quality! No breakage in over 10 years) Osborn ones, which make my life actually harder, as I have small hands with long slander fingers, but still not enough space for the handle, when stitching. I'm planning to buy at last one smaller flatter one pretty soon, so that my stitching becomes faster and my master (whoever that will be) has one thing less to complain about. I personally switch between diamond, sword and round awl almost all the time, with diamond being my favourite and already 4 destroyed blachard sword awls (ups … shall not be, I think!). I started off with a round awl and added the others over time. Remember, awls - just like your knives - need regular sharpening to stay efficient. You might want to try overstitch wheels first before investing in more pricking irons. They’re much cheaper, come in a variety of sizes, and help you figure out what stitch length fits your projects best. It takes some practice, but if you’re grooving, they’re actually very easy to keep straight since they can’t roll off line easily. Have fun — and yes, stitching, thread, saddle stitch, and everything connected to it really is a rabbit hole! Here in Germany, it’s even part of the exam when you become a certified saddler. Best, Tove

Wow! Okay, that looks like… something … Just asking as I am only used to english saddles, for what are those buckles used? I've never seen anything saddle-related that oxidised only some rusty head-irons which were replaced and since used for schooling purposes.

Hey Jonas, Thanks for your input! I actually prefer a stronger and more stable build for her, which is why I opted for 3.5–4 mm leather. I wanted a thickness that’s sturdy enough to provide a reliable fit and hold up over time, especially since her current nylon and neoprene harness is way too soft for that. The thickness also allows for padding without compromising durability. For mounting, I’m planning to use steel roller buckles in combination with looping. I’m not a fan of clips or Velcro. I also want the chest strap to be replaceable, so it can be adjusted if she becomes wider as she ages. We experienced that with our Spaniel, she grew wider again when she turned 10. I want this harness to be for life, not just a few years. ☺️ Best Tove

Hello Leatherworkers! I’m reaching out to those with more experience in English saddlery than I have — I need some advice! My dog needs a new harness. Sounds simple, right? But it’s turned into quite the project, and I wanted to share my approach to see what others think. About my dog: 2 ½ years old, medium-sized (~40 cm shoulder height, ~20 kg) Very fine-boned, which makes fitting tricky Her current harness is always too short. No matter how I adjust it, it slips over her shoulders and restricts her movement. She mostly wears it for nose-work at hunter dog school (long-leash) or jogging with us, but I just can’t settle for “good enough” — she deserves a harness that fits properly. Today, I approached it like I would saddle fitting — I even chalked her up! Yes, I literally drew on her shoulders. To understand how movement affects the fit, I lifted each front paw one at a time and marked where her shoulder blade sits in each position. That showed me how the surface between the shoulder blades shrinks as she moves — finally explaining why most harnesses rub or slip. Her shoulders are steeply angled and quite flat, and there’s very little surface between the blades — about 1" to 1 1/16". Because of this, I think I need to build a bit more room in the front so the harness doesn’t rub. Her back is straight, so I can safely use plastazote (6 mm) padding. If she were more overbuilt, I’d use a flocking system like in saddlery to ensure proper pressure distribution. Her back is long, and she’s had back problems before, so I can’t extend the harness beyond the widest part of her ribcage plus about an inch for padding under the D-ring. My current plan: Y-harness with padding under the back strap, shoulder straps, and chest strap Two D-rings: one near the shoulders, one at the end of the back strap Leather: Italian harness leather (double butt, 3.5–4 mm) Padding: 0.4 mm calfskin Reflective piping on back and shoulder straps (for being fancy) I think a Y-harness makes the most sense given the small space between her shoulders. A sport harness wouldn’t suit her, and a step-in/vest harness would be too tight in that area. So my question to you: Does this sound like a solid plan? Any tips for shaping the Y-harness to prevent rubbing over steep shoulders, or advice on padding placement and what to keep in mind, would be amazing. Or do you might even have another suggestion shape-wise? Thanks in advance! And yes, I did just saddle-fit my dog with chalk — she’s a very patient princess and just proved to me that self-making it is the best solution in her case. Best, Tove

Another vote for Tokonole! I honestly wouldn’t know what to do without it — easily my favorite burnishing agent. With some Irish linen or a wooden slicker, plus sandpaper in ascending grits, you can get a clean, professional finish without much effort. If you prefer using water, I’d recommend sealing the edges afterward with a bit of beeswax. Beeswax reacts to temperature, so depending on how warm or cold your workshop is, it can be a bit tricky to work with. In this case, it acts as a water repellent and helps hold the fibers in place. You can also use clear or colored edge paint, though that usually takes a bit of trial and error — especially with cheaper paints — before you get a nice, even finish. Best, Tove

Okay, I see what you mean — we’re clearly making very different kinds of collars! Mine are all fully padded, so the stitches sink into the plastazote on the back. That means there’s little to no friction on the thread, so I never felt the need to groove. In your case, especially on the flesh side, it makes total sense to do so. My dogs also don’t wear their collars 24/7 — they take them off at night — so that’s another factor that changes the wear and tear quite a bit. As I mentioned, I’ve had the chance to discuss this topic with a few master saddlers, and that definitely shaped how I work today. In Germany, saddlery is still a regulated trade — you need proper training and certification to work professionally — and that background really influences my approach. For me it comes down to simple logic: if there’s friction, grooving makes sense; if there isn’t, it’s unnecessary. I also lean heavily toward more traditional English saddlery, which probably explains part of my bias too! From what I’ve seen, padding is quite common in English work, whereas in Western-style leatherwork, grooving makes total sense. No offense meant at all — your work looks great, and if your method works for you and holds up, that’s what counts in the end.

Thank you very much, Bill! That is truley valuable information. I just went with the smallest I was able to get from a Germany based tool-vender, but you are definitely right. 7-8cm is totally fine. So I might also consider a Tandy Dupe. I found a HIGH-TECH Pro Dupe within my budget. That splitting is better than most workouts I already assumed, but am as a former University-Rower thrilled to experience that! - yep! We're a bit ... and learned to love everything that makes you feel every muscle in your body. I also search for those parameters on a regular, with little luck. I just found a set of Henkel Holepunches for 120€, after checking back with my usual tool-vendor just an hour drive away, it was slightly overpriced. I feel like whoever owns leather tools, holds on to them for a loooong time and then overprices them just because people like us hope for a good deal. It is true luck if you find a good second hand offer! But truley I can unstand that. Sadly my granddads leather tools have been thrown away after his death. No-one thought that the youngest of his granddaughters (at that time 3 years old) would pick leather as her poison as well. Very sad as he learned the craft from military saddlers while being in american captivity as a prisoner of war, when he was only 17 and deserted the army prior to participating in any battle. I guess we would have had a lot of fun and his tools would have had a nice new home with me, especially if I should finally be able to start as an apprentice in a Berlin equestrian saddlery next year (if they take me and don't see my scientific publications, my begun PhD and the two University degrees as a no-go).

Thank you Jonas, I already had a look at Kleinanzeigen (no saddlery tools at all, or for a hell lot of money!) and Facebook, but that is not necessarily that popular in Germany. I already saw the Tandy/IVAN "rebuilds" and was wondering if anyone has one of these and might be able to tell a bit about it. I guess 7-8 centimetres still does the job. I will have a look at those and try to figure out more about their quality and ability to do their job! If it is a Tandy "rebuild" there should be a high chance that the Tandy/ Ivan HI-TECH Baldes for 45€ a pack should fit. To me that sounds like a good bet. Best, Tove

Hello folks, I am planning to upgrade my toolbox a little bit after Christmas. Despite it being a few months away, I am already creating a list of things to get. On top of that List is a splitter. So far I have always pushed this purchase off, as other things seemed more relevant like a saddlery knife, more colours of thread, and so on. In my latest projects I realised that a splitter is slowly due. I started to use more looping and having to use several leathers for a project, which shall end up sort of unifrom, is not very satisfying. So I am searching for a good, durable and cheap option to add to my tiny portable "workshop", for splitting leather for looping, round stitching, raising etc. I am mainly doing dog collars, am planning for some horse equipment in the near future and also some belts. It has to be available in Europe, without crashing the bank, so Tandy (I guess that's IVAN in Europe), Weaver and Osborn are off the table. I already checked the secondhand market, but it seems that everyone, who has a splitter, does not want to get rid of it or exactly knows how much a good splitter is worth. My favoured budget would be roughly 100 - 150 € ($117.14 -$ 175.71), if that is reasonable. I'm not a professional (yet) so I don't see a point in spending more, despite me being unable to even spend up to 1000€ ($1171.40) on such a thing in this economy. I am not searching for a premium solution, just a very basic splitter of maximum 15 cm width (5.9"/6"), that does its job without any major hiccups. Maybe anyone has a good recommendation. Best, Tove