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I recently received my first maul from Ed - very pleased with it. I had mentioned how i wanted it, and it turned out exactly like i wanted it. Great work. Devonmillsleatherwork: I just contacted Ed via PM here on leatherworker.

Bluesman: Its sides, when i wrote back i meant backside, sorry tor being confusing Yes i do intend to call them, and their service have been exceptional, especially considering their size. Andrew: Its bridle leather - sides - and i had it split to 3.5mm, thats close to 9 oz. I didnt ask for a specific finishing, i assumed they would finish it the way ex. their samples are. Or is that named something else?

Nobody who can tell me if the back is supposed to look like that?

Hi guys I ordered 2 hides from W&C - std grade, ive had it split and refinished the back. But im wondering if the back is supposed to look like this. I thought they would finish it just like their samples are. Please take a look at the pictures, i would like your opinion before i contact W&C. Im not trying to bash them, im just wondering if this is what i can expect from my future orders from them. Ive previously bought smaller strips of W&C bridle from stores like outfitterssupply, which were much better looking then what i have received. Ive also attached a image of the front side which i think has quite many "wrinkles" - the image of the front side is the best part. Thanks.

Your right - thanks. i will contact him soon. And if anyone else know of a another supplier of bridle in natural color, feel free to post

Thanks guys - after reading your suggestions im thinking that one of my faults was not straightening the edge first. I actually have a long metal piece i could use to straighten it up first. I will try that when i receive my hides in a few weeks

Thanks Celticleather - i had not thought of them. I actually have 3 samples from them, but none in natural color. Dunno why i didnt ask for samples back then. But i kind of disregarded them as i found them to be a little too expensive. But if there are no other alternatives then i will buy it from them. Do you know if they split and refinsh the flesh side to the desired thickness?

Mike516: You are probably right about having a straight edge first - before cutting the strap. I hadnt thought about that, but now that i do, it makes sense. But how do you get that - relatively - straight edge first, do you just use a ruler and cut off the irregular parts? Bruce: Interesting technique - i would have to try that. I too found the edge to be a little to thick, so i thinned it down and its perfect now. Im pretty good at sharpening and the knife goes through the leather very easily, no problem there. I cut straps 1 1/2 wide, hmm i have thought about trying a plough gouge - do you think it would make a difference? Knipper: Thats a excellent tip, i never thought of sliding a ruler between the knife and the handle. Mine doesnt look misaligned, but i will check it, to be completely sure. Mine came with only 1 shim, but im using it without it, it works fine enough this way i think

Hi guys Im having trouble cutting my straps even, with a draw gauge. Either im doing something wrong or lack the experience, so im curious to how you guys do it. I have a old osborne draw gauge, and i find the handle to small and to short, its difficult having the leather close to the handle as its quite small. Im thinking if one of those wooden ones from Tandy would be more suited as its handle seems longer. Anyways, would love to hear how you cut your straps.

Anyone know where to find bridle in natural color - ive searched for a long time now but havent been able to find anyone. And also - could someone tell me what the dimensions are of a piece of 25 square feet? I mean how long is it - how do i calculate that? Thanks a lot.

Hehe thanks for the warning - ill try not to spill And thanks for the link.

thats interesting - im wondering what are the benefits of using powder instead of something allready mixed. I mean, a fiebings dye can be thinned as well to the desired level. i just had a look at abbeys, but i couldnt find it, could you provide me with a link?

I just got some beautyful W&C bridle and i wanna dye the edges, but having a look at Fiebings site show many types of dyes, Edge kote, oil dye - acrylic dye and so on, so im wondering which type of dyes is "best" for bridle leather?

The ones that come to mind now: USA: Wickett & Craig Maverick leather RJFLeather Siegel (carries Sedgwick bridle) Hermann Oak - But cant remember who carries them UK: Abbeysaddlery (Sedgwick) J & FJ Baker

Im not that fond of Lac, but if i dont find any other alternative i will give it a try. I tried yesterday with just water and/or Gum T yesterday, and it turned out fine as long as i dont press to hard, like you said. I just have to let the water dry completely otherwise it will darken it more then if i burnish wet. And then i put on some clear wax, and again if i just put a little on and dont press to hard, it turns out just fine. And i think if i put some conditioner on top it will be satisfying, but i would still like to hear on what others do Oh and i will follow op on your advice and seek advice for a conditioner at a upholstery or saddlery shop.

Is it possible to make round edges on veg. tanned leather without darkening the edges ? And if so, then what to use. Ive tried with some different waxes, but they all make the edges darker. Im also looking for a finisher/ conditioner that doesnt darken the leather, i tried Montana blend and a few other greases, but that made it lot darker. After searching threads here, ive seen people recommend Lexol and Bick4, but are these waterproofing? Thanks for your time.

So far ive only used linen thread, mostly 3 ply Barbour or larger, but for making wallets this is quite thick. Im looking for something thats much finer, what should i look for? Thanks.

Sure - but they dont do private sales. The company is www.asleather.dk - they have veg. tanned in 3 colors i think.

Great info - i didnt know WC resprayed the hide after they made the splitting. And yea its expensive and customs here make it to expensive for me to import, but fortunetely i found a danish company who (mostly) deals with upholstery leather but also have veg. tanned. Sorensen leather is the name in case your interested. Thanks for the link oldtimer, looks nice and i will most likely ask for a sample.

Yea i know about wicket and craig, lovely leather but its too thick for making bags, i would have to make them skive most of it away. Rjfleather - i did ask, but they dont deliver to Europe apparently. Maybe i explained myself poorly - i was thinking about leather like the one in the link, thinner and seems smoother as well. http://aimetuna.info/brics-life-leather-18-duffel-cognac.aspx

Ive been searching the internet for weeks without finding a supplier who got veg tanned leather in colors. Most suppliers only got natural colored but im looking for colors for bag making and ect. Any of you guys know where to look? Thanks.

thats my understanding too, that their jfjbaker leather is exceptional, but hows the price compared to Sedgwick and W&C? I did ask Mr. Andrew for samples, im waiting for it to arrive.

Art: The samples are just small pieces and yes, some of the parts can barely be bend - they are that hard. I asked for 3mm shoulder samples, but now im in doubt whether some of the samples are something else then shoulder. Or perhaps its just poor quality which they use to send out as samples - i dont know. Ive heard nothing but good about Sedgwick, so im assuming that the hides they sell are of much better quality and more flexible then what i received. No doubt W&C leather is amazing, but importing it to Europe is gonna be more costly then buying it here in EU. The customer service was exceptionally good. I just wanted to check with you guys experience before i made an order. So you guys would not doubt in using either butt or shoulder for belts? Zoej: The samples i received where from Abbey - they are as i understand it, the only supplier in Europe of Sedgwick products.

I just got some Sedgwick Bridle Shoulder samples and i can barely bend the parts, is this normal for Sedgwick leather? Or perhaps they are bad samples? I want to make belts, but im looking for something a little softer and flexible, is Bridle a bad choice for this? Last week i got samples from W&C, which are far more flexible and softer, but i prefer the colors and the waxy feel of Sedgwick. The customer service from W$C was amazing though, very quick shipment to Europe with samples of all the different type of leathers and a pricelist.

Ok, im going with a dmt stone now. Thanks for the help and info all.