jcuk

Nice work. I have to say part of the problem with certain items of tack is lots of people do not know how to fit their tack also its seems to me they want the the said items of tack to ride the horse for them at times, instead of maybe improving their own riding ability. I had one customer asking if I had a French snaffle knowing this was the latest trend at this time asked her why she wanted one she said her daughters pony was not facing the bit keeps throwing its head up. So her daughters riding instructor told her to get a French snaffle so she came to me, I did not have one at the time but could get one for her but added I don't want to sell you something you may not need she asked how so I said has the pony just started doing this she said yes about a couple of weeks, I asked when was the last time the pony had its teeth done she replied oh its six years old after five years they no longer need their teeth doing I laughed and said where did you get that info from she said people in her daughters pony club and instructors. I said they just like us they need their teeth checking and doing twice a year, as I was based where the pony was stabled I offered to go and check its teeth for her and yes they had got very sharp at the back and needed rasping, on the down side for her the cost of her getting the teeth done would maybe cost more than the bit she wanted which would have not worked either until she got the teeth done. Again I am shocked at the lack of knowledge and the B/S around the equine world most are just naive but also unfortunately there are also many that are chancers too. Regards JCUK

Yes a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing. I have turned down plenty of work which was well past its sell buy date, once had a lady who wanted her rubber reins recovered when I started working something did not seem right under one of the rubber reins it had been spliced together I said to the lady sorry I am not going to do the repair she said that's okay I take them somewhere else to get them done. I said to my other half wow that's her daughters reins that's just mad. Got me thinking about the owner of the saddle with their nice white Jodhpur's or Breeches on I have policy if I would not ride on it I would not repair it or send it out Yes it is cringe worthy, I also buy mine in from Abbey they use to carry some really good raw hide ones sadly no longer have them they were super strong no stretch either. Regards JCUK

Just because you maybe very good in a certain area of leather craft does not mean you can take on certain things, here is a prime example she maybe a excellent cobbler I don't know but she should have said no to this. People at there very least can get hurt and walk away but could also be changed for life If they survive, just because you may get away with it does not make it right so again please don't. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ksl9Xdw59E Hope this helps JCUK

A few months ago I had a local tack shop who I do so repairs for, gave me two head collars to restitch as the stitching had failed on both of them. He had sold one the customer who brought the first one back so he replaced it like for like, low and behold the second one had the same problem again brought back again, not sure if he gave them their money or what. Both were fancy head collars and machine stitched with in my opinion with to light thread, anyway i took them to my workshop as I was looking at them the stitching was unravelling before my eyes, that would never happen no matter how badly a saddle stitch had been done, even using a lighter thread. So the question is a saddle stitch stronger than machine stitch - it's a yes from me. Also in the saddlery trade you will find there are certain things that will only be hand stitched for safety reasons, that said a machine is a great time saver when time is money and for certain things its can save you hours which is a good thing for the right time and piece of work required to use a machine. Hope this helps JCUK

Nice work on the stitching without a clam, I love hand stitching things no matter how tedious it can seem to be at times once I get into it, music playing in the back round or listening to the TMS ( Test Match Special ) its Cricket commentary. What is the spi you have used. Regards JCUK

My cutting board is used only for cutting I do not use it for anything else as I know it will mark or scratch my work, so it would maybe better to get another board and use that for other things other than cutting and punching. Once I have finished cutting that board is removed from my bench same with my punching surface. Hope this helps JCUK

Have a look here shipping cost may make you think though. https://www.abbeyengland.com/hardware/locks-case-fittings/cheney-locks/ Hope this helps JCUK

Hi are you able to remove the seat from the tree if so patch it from the under side of the seat much neater fix, looking at seat the i would put a larger patch than just for the tear because looking at the area around the tear, looks fragile as well that would help strengthen that area too(saves another repair in near future) glue it onto the seat the stitch onto the skirt trim excess with skirt shave/french edger, just make sure you have allowed enough so that you can stretch it back onto the tree hopefully you will not have to stitch anymore stretching back onto the tree should hold it in place as Ron has said not a quick or cheap option but quicker and cheaper than replacing the hole seat and a much better fix than a patch on top also a good learning curve for you. The leather i would use would be pigskin or kangaroo both strong and light weight. Hope this helps JCUK Hi nice work, its been a long time since i made one i believe the chain fitting is a 1/18'' or 1/14'' pretty sure 1/18'' Hope this helps JCUK

Try here chttps://sfleather.co.uk/search?q=kangaroo+lae Hope this helps JCUK

Nice work on your knife, its also called a single head knife which seems more apt to me when you look at a double head knife they are different to a round knife. Hope this helps JCUK

I seem remember you mentioned this in another thread, but to be honest i have never seen this and i have been using it for almost 30 years now also its what we used when did my training. But as daft as it sounds i suppose there maybe a varying quality of MDF from different suppliers.

I use MDF no drag and does not dull the edge once its to cut up on one side turn it over, just remember to only use it for cutting because it will scratch your work. Hope this helps JCUK

I know of them but never had any leather from them, but think they may have a minimum order clause, a saddler i know told me they are quite pricey because i was looking at their latigo not many places here carry it. I tend to stick with what and who i know i like Sedgwick and what i get from Metropolitan. A few years ago Sedgwick nearly went to the wall Abbey and others in consortium saved them i think one was a German company cant say who though, Abbey have done that a few times Equus was another i know of. Here is a link to J.&F.J. Baker. never used them but its supposed to be really nice and strong but again pricey but nice to see a tannery still doing that way, may treat my self in the new year. Having said it was pricey not sure if their price list is up to date but it looks like its cheaper than Sedgwick so looking good for the new year me thinks. https://www.jfjbaker.co.uk

Its helps not perfect but good enough. Just remember if they are so long to hit the floor hold them enough to help the threads re-coil

When doing longer runs of hand stitching it helps if you drop both threads every now and then, it will recoil its self and then and then a quick re-wax. Hope this helps Jcuk