rickybobby

Johanna is right, When you are a master at something, you can make it look good almost no matter what tool you use, these folks have mastered the ART. That said for the rest of us that do this (the best we can) Some of the other makers tools help us by not leaving bevel marks, untrue, crooked borders, basketweave that does not line up, ect. because these tools have inherent caracteristics that help us avoid these things with our less than perfect techniques. This is not a put down to anyone (me included) but I have used several makes of tools on the same piece of leather and had different results. The custom makers tools made my work look better!!! I own more Craftools then any others, and I use them everyday, I also have some that were made in the 60's next to same tool made lately (no comparison) the older are cleaner and crisper, closer to the custom makers tools. I weigh the service, cost, quality, when I buy tools and if one makes my work look better and it is easier to use, I make the investment. Like Bruce said, I file, grind, sand the $6.00 tool it makes it better or if not I don't mide tossing it and looking for another answer (custom maker stamp). Use the tools you have and perfect your techniques, if you continue to have problems maybe search elsewhere. For me the other makers BEVELS helped me a bunch. And after using a custom makers basket stamp, I will continue to build my tool collection with what works best for me and my customers. Rick Jorgenson

Greg, Hide crafter tools are o.k. I use my checkered bevels from them a lot. Barry Kings tools are a good step up from Tandy's. I just bought the basic set from Hackbarth and they Rock!!! I have had a basket tool from them for 6 or 7 years and to look at it next to a Craftool you cannot believe how clean and crisp the fine lines and edges are compared to the Craftool!!! Call them direct Lonnie is working with Ellis now (Ellis is 86) Lonnie will take great care of you. This set is only a couple of dollars a tool more then tandys but they are worlds apart! check this out http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...hackbarth+tools Hope you try them, I really like mine. Rick J.

Dan, Nice job on all of them, You have been officially bitten by the "leather bug" !! Just tell your wife now that all additional money in the house fund will go to leather tools and supplies!!! Keep posting! Your work looks great!! Get a few "standard" holster patterns perfected and you have yourself a little "bizness" That will help pay for your new "HABIT" Take care, Rick J.

Patricweill, I have not worked with ostrich yet, so I am not sure how to direct you for the problem, but I wanted to say how nice the belt is that you posted! Beautiful job! I did not know you could use the neck skin. Welcome to the Forum, I wish I knew the answer but someone here will know. Rick J.

Update on the large copies, Staples now charges me for the large sheet copies, they have a price list but are all over the place on price depending who I talk to!! Rick J.

Julia, You could try a "rigging hobble". They are usually on full double riggings (2 d-rings or 2 round rings) on that hardware there in not much room but 3/4 or 7/8 wide leather strap is fast/cheap and easy to do. It is a strap that runs from the rear cinch ring to the front cinch ring and it keeps the leathers from hanging up on the frt. ring. I can email you a picture if you need. Rick J.

Ronny, Nice work!! I like the floral and basket weave combo! The finish cuts on the cantle are a nice touch!! Rick J.

Start by brushing and then saddle soaping, follow up with Bee Natural #1 saddle oil with fungicide http://www.beenaturalleathercare.com/cgi-b..._id=73874_21664 I have used these products and they worked great. I lived in Hawaii for 2 years and had mold on my saddle every other day until I started using this!! Rick J.

Ken, I use sheepskin for most pieces. For your 18 x 18 a piece of shearling about 1/2 the size of your hand will do it. Keep a couple of others handy to wipe excess off after you are sure of coverage. Like others have said, don't panic over light/dark streaks they will go away when completely dry! (do not predampen leather, it will act like a resist!) Good luck, be sure to post finished results! Rick J.

Nice looking rig Luke!! Rick J.

Emma, Welcome to the forum!! I work in a saddle shop in Wickenburg Az. I do repairs and tooling and have began doing some of the assembly of custom order saddles. I build saddles on my own at home. We see a lot of folks from England and Germany that stay at the guest ranches in our town. They love the western stuff! They stop in when they first get to town and by the end of the week they have purchased cowboy hats, boots, and western belt and buckle from us! Some have even bought saddles and have them shipped home!! Any help with materials, books, or information I can help with, just ask. I will see how to get it to you. Rick J.

Nice work!! Welcome to the forum!! The neat thing here is you can share and ask questions about leather work and techniques. It is a great group of craftspeople and a wealth of knowledge!! Great job on the leather !!! Rick J.

Nice job!! Your work is getting more professional with every post. I like the color combo, the pocket is a cool touch! If you make them for a customer that ropes, they would need the pocket on the left if they wanted one. Great work, keep posting!!! Rick J.

I googled "wool saddle pads" and came up with this http://www.5starequineproducts.com/saddle_pads.html You want 100% wool for a burnishing wheel. Also mix 50% bees wax and 50% pariffin wax for applying to the burnisher. I saw this first on John Bianchi's Holster Making videos. It seems to work great!! I just ordered Ivans (he is on LW) burnishing wheel and motor off of ebay and got it a couple days ago (99.95 w/ shipping) eBay search "motorized fantastic leather edge " under "Crafts. I could not put the whole thing together for less then this so I bought it. Just a thought for you! Rick J.

Daniel, Do you mean shearling? Shearling is the "fuzzy" stuff on the underside of the saddle. There are felt saddle pads but they are whole and usually not cut up. Just checking to make sure you get what you need. I have plenty of shearling scrap I could send. Rick J.

I just bought this set, I used them today and they work great, I will post some pic.s as soon as project is done!!!! The edges are so sharp and crisp! I bought a basket stamp from Ellis at a leather show in Riverside ca. about 8 years ago and because of the quality of it, I thought I would try these. They are top notch!! I called to order these and had them in a day (usps). Rick J.

I just finished a gunbelt like this and I tried the meathod that Mike and Jordan suggested, "run the lope in the same hole" I is very "clean" looking and the shells are so close together it looks very professional. I am never looking back at sewing loops again! Well look at it this way, Ya got one to try it on!! Hope this helps, Rick Jorgenson

Eric, Thanks for the list. This information will help me get a few that are most usable first. Right now most customers will leave their gun with me for a day or I borrow one from the gunshop down the street, (the owner is a friend) but blueguns are the most professional and hold the least liability (for loss or damage). I like your website, it is informative, easy to navigate, and it is very clear what your product look like and a good discription without being overcrowded. The products look great! Rick Jorgenson

A customer got this out of his familys hardware/feed store attic in Philidelphia. The building and store has been in his family since 1893, the building was built in 1910. He was told at a museum that it was for harness making. The whole thing is wood, the bow is bent wood and it is hinged with wood pins. The "arms" are rounded where they come together but appear not to put a whole lot of pressure on anything when squeezed together. Any clues??? :wtf: Thanks for looking, Rick Jorgenson

Here are some we make, 10/12 oz harness leather backed with 7/8 latigo, they are very strong and durable. Sorry, I forgot to get measurements for you but I can send a pattern for you to compare to any others you get. Rick Jorgenson

Thanks for the information. I looked into these, the website for Duncan did not give prices and Lindell did not appear to have the guns on their site. I also have read on another forum that duncan molds were not very good, I have seen pictures and they did not appear to have as good of detail as the Lindell molds. Rick J.

Butch, About 8 years ago I started doing saddles. I have done leatherwork for 30 years, belts, wallets, holsters, ect, then I bought the Stohlman books and read them page by page. I worked with a friend that went to saddle school on a few saddles and that was good expierience. I have done 4 saddles on my own and am now working in a saddleshop. My tooling ability got me the job, I do all the tooling for the shop and I also do repairs which has been great expierience, I assemble and make alot of the parts for the custom saddles but have not done one complete start to finish at work. I am doing holsters at home and have started a saddle to sell. My opinion of saddle schools is, To get the most out of them you need some "hands on" trial and error so you can focus on what questions to ask while there. For me I would want to go to see how to be more efficiante at some tasks but concentrate on doing the SEAT. This has been the toughest part to do for me and takes the longest. There must be a better way. I need to see it done and ask questions. Just some thoughts for you, take care, Rick Jorgenson

Nice work Bob, you incorporate so many styles without them clashing or looking "overdone" you really have a great style! thanks for sharing that piece! I asked about you at work (Ben's Saddlery) Bruce and Arlene both remember you and your family. Bruce commented that your work is some of the finest he has ever seen. (I have to agree) they both say "Hello" and hope to see you again in March for the leather crafters show in Wickenburg. Take care, Rick Jorgenson

Tac, nice job, the customer should be very happy! Rick J.

Dan, Great job, that cover was not as bad as I thought so this was an excellent way to go. Looks good, done on both sides, "looks like it was supposed to be like that !! " Take care, thanks for posting the final repair! Rick Jorgenson