bruce johnson

Mike, You can probably tell by looking but Bret's work uses as well as it looks too. I've got a set of reins and a two rein bosal and just dandy to use. Have a 1/2" coming, and then I'll be making a headstall and some hangers to suit them.

I have added three Gomph and Three CS Osborne round knives for sale today to my website. Also several pinking punches, slot punches, round ends, and one English point punch. Here is the link to the tool landing page - http://brucejohnsonleather.com/content/index.php/leather_tools_for_sale/ Thanks, Bruce

3-in-1's will do edge skiving on vegtan and most latigo. They won't do chap or soft chrome tans. Chase splitters split with the grain side up. The split falls off to the bottom. The old originals didn't have legs. They were screwed down flush to the bench and the splits fell through a hole in the bench into a container. Some guys mount them just overhanging the edge of the bench slightly and the splits go to the floor or into a handy trash can.

Reddevil, The 12 inch sold right away. I will be having some more splitters, skivers, and maybe a 3-in-1 within a couple weeks. A few leather orders to finish this week and then no more orders with a time frame for a few months to catch up on tools. Thanks, Bruce

Quite a few of us have business licenses. The upside - You can buy from some sellers who sell to wholesale only. Other sellers have several price lists - and wholesale usually gets you the same or better pricing than their "buying memberships" without paying a fee. You can write off a lot of expenses if it ties to the business - travel for one. I spend a week in Wyoming and it's mostly a write-off. I visit my dad in Indiana and go buy some tools, ditto. Some people who work out of their house take a business deduction there, portion of utilities, phone line, cell phone, internet, etc. The downside is record keeping and taxes. Record keeping can be simple or complicated. It is really not hard once you set up a system and keep it up. Individuals file a schedule C along with your income tax. The state will want sales taxes collected for in-state sales too.

I have cleared up the want list for Dixon plough gauges and have added two Dixons and three Blanchards to my website this morning. I also put on two rein rounders - one of the best CS Osborne vise mounts made and a good Sauerbier bench mount. Here is the link for the landing page for tools - http://brucejohnsonleather.com/content/index.php/leather_tools_for_sale/ . Thank you! Bruce

I have added a new page to my website today of carving and stamping tools. There are swivel knives by Leather Wrangler, Chuck Smith (Ol Smoothie), Barry King, and Henley. I have stamps from Barry King, Gore, McMillen, Horse Shoe Brand, and CLT. Here is a link to the new page - http://brucejohnsonleather.com/content/index.php/leather_tools_for_sale/leather-carving-and-stamping-tools-for-sale/ . Thank you, Bruce

I use Feibings Leathersheen on elephant to protect it some, but most top grain elephant is pretty durable as is.

I have 1" plates and am convinced that is way overkill, at least for the top. On the flip side, they were cut offs at a steel yard and free. A dozen doughnuts got me past the secretary and into the back. He gave me a big piece for the bottom and a couple sizes for putting over the dies. A 12 pack was later delivered in appreciation.

I like to use them. I think they are easier for bigger widths than a draw gauge. Push is in line with the blade, don't need to hang the leather off the table since you cut on the tabletop, roller to keep the leather down on the blade, etc. I still use a draw gauge too, but much over an inch and I am ploughing. They are a European tool and so most of the popularity is either in those countries, influence from them, or being taught by someone who grew up using one. I normally have a want-list for the Dixons. Mechanically most of the Blanchards work very similar, but at one point this spring I had a waiting list 9 deep for a Dixon - all but one to Australia. Being of English bent, they prefer the Dixons and Lefflers is still listing a new Dixon on their website for around $1200 (One thousand two hundred!).

Ask the Australians what they pay for a new Dixon plough. I have finally cleaned up my want-list for Dixon ploughs, and most every one of them took a plane ride southwest from here.

It is probable sewn with a partial thickness stitch pattern. The thread comes out about half way through the thcokness of the leather and into the other side, then up to the inside. The camo stamp is used to help hide the butt joint.

I used to make harness leather reins but stopped several years ago. It was not profitable enough to compete with everybody else that was selling them.I make doubled and stitched latigo reins, but that is as far as I go there. I am not particularly fond of the new tannages of harness leather. Too stiff for me. It takes some work and oiling and more work to have the feel they did 30 years ago.

Nate, It is the neck end and natural thickness on most of them. These sides are unsplit/unleveled then selected or picked through for long sides with heavier necks. You can also skive a short piece 10-12" long and skive one edge then sew it on for a popper to add weight.

Barry King makes them

Another option is to get duckbill pliers for thinner seams and glass pliers for thicker seams. They can be found fairly wide, but not as wide as those webbing pliers.

My bottom covers are sewn together at the back of the neck. The wings are long enough they are hitting the back of the fork (wood). I tacked them.

When I was doing repairs I drilled and tapped holes, then put flat head machine screws through the filler. I ground them off flush on the bottom of the horn. An old repair guy had me paint two coats of Rustoleum primer on the steel horns to keep the rust and markings on the leather down some. Talked to a guy at Sheridan who paints them with truck body coating in a can first.

Too bad they won't see use but look at the bright side - this proves there are still more of these good old tools out there waiting to be found!

I have added eight leather splitters for sale to my website this evening. There are 2 sizes of Osborne #86's - a seven inch blade and nice inch blade. I also added 6 Chase pattern splitters in sizes from 8 inch up to 12 inch. The 12 inch is one I have used for about 5 years. I have stopped making saddles and don't need a big one for leveling anymore, and my 10 inch does all I need for now. Here is a link to my website for the landing page of the tools - http://brucejohnsonleather.com/content/index.php/leather_tools_for_sale/ . Thank you, Bruce

Mostly used to crimp or pleat fabric or paper. There are a ton of variations in these fluters/crimpers/pleaters and a whole set of collectors for them.

Interesting stamp, I got a similar one from Bob Beard. As far as duplicating it exactly, a few makers could do it.

I have a few Chases apart and will have pictures tomorrow. Batteries died in the camera half way through a shoot tonight. One spare in the drawer, stole one from the wireless mouse, and paired them with two of the dead ones. You'd think that'd work. It did for one more picture.

Thanks for letting me know - the link should be fixed now. Yeah, I believe several leather tools could fall into the category of self-defense aids. Always thought a draw gauge might handy in close combat too.

Twice in a week for fresh tools may be a personal best, but nursing a bad tooth/teeth has kept me from working in the shop much. It has allowed me to catch up on tools we have had ready to go for while – just hadn’t got to them yet for pictures and descriptions. Today there is another big run of 150 or more tools scattered throughout the site. Slickers – Best glass slicker I have ever held – CS Osborne Newark marked with beautiful wood. Also two Dixon edge irons – the ones you heat and run down a lightly waxed edge to give that finally pizazz of Old World craftsmanship. The European masters on Facebook leather groups talk them up highly. Hammers – A couple of the best saddler’s hammers I have had a hand on – CS Osborne and Blanchard, along with a really nice Marples tack hammer. Pliers – A few more here, including a cute tack pulling pliers with channels in the jaws to grab the heads without deforming them much like what you may be using now – recycle those tacks and reuse them. Channelers and Stitch Groovers got filled out a bit more Creasers – Double lines, single lines, and large round/layer creasers too. Highlight here is a Gomph #6 large round creaser with a super handle. Showpiece quality. Miscellaneous – One the “Rein Rounder, Miscellaneous “ page there are some really cool and eclectic additions! A huge scalloping wheel carriage that is CS Osborne Newark marked, dividers, old set of spot setters, collar palms, and conversation pieces/weaponry/Using tools such as collar/drawing awls, washer cutters and a straining fork. Here is the link for the landing page for tools - Leather Tools For Sale