Johanna

http://leatherwranglers.com (If you call ask for Paul or Rosa.) I have always had trouble with the big fat dull knives that are pretty standard in our work, and then I held one of Paul's knives. It fit perfectly in my hand, and I felt like I could "draw" with it. Johanna

The problem is that "latigo" means different things to tanners, suppliers and customers. A good rule of thumb is "don't let pets or humans chew on leather that you don't know where it came from and how it was tanned". We consumers haven't got the faintest idea where the hides came from, how they were handled and what chemicals were used to tan them, and unless you know your supplier really well, and he, in turn, knows his stuff, it's always a big question mark. I had a dog that needed his collars lined because veggie tanned leather irritated his skin. Dogs have choked on leather or needed surgery from swallowing scraps. I know of birds that died because their owners bought them leather to please them. I can break out into a full body rash from handling some leathers, and I've been around the stuff for more than 20 years. I am not a horse person, so I can't comment on a leather bit, but it seems that if they were a good idea they would have caught on a couple hundred years ago. Slobber is eventually going to make the toughest latigo break down. There are too many variables to calculate the horse's safety chewing on leather, so I'd pass on that one just so I wasn't responsible for a healthy animal getting sick. (What if the bit gets swallowed? I'm not a vet, but I doubt it's going to pass easily through a horse like it might a dog.) Shep Hermann (Hermann Oak Leather, St. Louis MO) told us at the tannery that if we fell into the vegetable tanning pits and swallowed the solution, we would be fine, but not to do it unless we wanted a much darker skin color for a few months. To make latigo and other waxed and oiled leathers they take the hides and rotate them in driums the size of small apartments. There are precise formulas for the leather the customers request, and only a chemist like Shep could say with any certainty "safe" "poison" or "Who knows?" I don't advise putting leather in any animal's mouth without a compelling reason and a full evaluation of the leather to be used. Johanna

Brian, we know from our respective online communities that every now and then we get one who just doesn't "get it". I do appreciate all the contributions you have made to braiding and teaching braiding and knots here and at KHWW. At least we know that what we do isn't for selfish reasons, and I'm glad you can let this incident roll off you like water on a duck's back. Leatherworker.net will always cooperate with KHWW because we pretty much have the same mission- education, entertainment and fellowship, right? I respect the way you gave the other fellow full credit for his work and practiced to learn it. I'm sorry that he didn't understand the compliment you paid him. Johanna

Just a thought, Mike- have you contacted Bob Beard? I know he buys his tools back occasionally. Ferg, I'm not sure you understand that this knife is more of a collector item than a regular swivel knife. Are you familiar with Robb Barr's work? Bob made these knives to raise money to help a friend who needed medical care. The knives are quality tools, and people were glad to have a way to help a fellow leatherworker. Some of us are sentimental, and Robb had many friends. The real value to the knife is in the love and caring which inspired it. ~J

Thanks for letting us know, Wayne. He was a friend to many of us, and we'll miss him. ~J

On the left side of the page. at the bottom of every topic there is an envelope (email the topic) a printer (print this topic) a box with a green arrow, (download and save) and a share to FB. ~J

Hmmm... you aren't the only one having problems with the inline notifications. I changed a few of the settings just now. Log out, then log in and see if the problem is fixed. If not, let me know. THANKS! Johanna

I do remember some sort of disclaimer with these hides, that nothing should be built with them that a human life depended on, like climbing gear, for example. Johanna

What kind of tools do you have? What kind of leatherwork do you do? Johanna

In the End Of Year Specials is a note from Steven I find interesting:

Hivemind- I know you meant no harm, but this kind of thing has come up before and TLF has made their position pretty clear. I know they have insisted employees take web materials down- I have not heard of a customer being prosecuted, but nothing would surprise me these days. ~J

Tandy's official line was "Leather is a natural product, and range markings and other slight imperfections in the leather add character to your piece." I don't think they ever tried to squiggle pattern pieces for usable leather on the floor. Unless your holsters must be black for an LEO or Military, those marks might dye with "character" and look "natural", which is appealing to some. If the leather is thick enough, those fat marks won't affect the strength of the leather unless the leather feels mushy or stretchy as someone pointed out. Some people swear by shoulders, some by backs...really it depends on the style of holster you are making. We always bought sides because in a working shop, a couple of straps off the back will pay for the hide and the rest is gravy. Sides are economical- think of it this way, the more they cut, the higher the price, just like the butcher shop someone said. Bellies can be useful for lots of things, especially if it's a good hide to begin with. If someone were not very experienced, I'd tell them to buy a side and make knife sheathes and odds and ends from the belly for practice before they cut into the good leather towards the top for their first holster or other intermediate project. If you don't like the leather and don't want to use it, send it back with an explanation and get a different one. When you order over the Internet or phone you have to be very clear what you are looking for and making, and since the seller wants you satisfied, they'll look for a piece to meet your needs. You can often call for swatches if you're not sure what to order. If that piece doesn't suit you, send it back. They'll make things right with you. Johanna