LynBrook

Thanks again! I am feeling excited and relieved at the same time now that I finally have my list together. Thinking about the different kinds of leather, a few years ago I purchased a pair of reins that were a bit on the stiff side but I liked the fancy hardware (stupid, I know). No matter how much I use them and oil them they are always on the stiff side. There is another pair of reins which I think are harness leather. They are very strong, but also flexible and soft and pleasant to hold. I never knew how much the tanning process affects what the leather will be like. Anyway, here is my modified list! Leather Marking Pen Strap Cutter round knife oval punch oblong punch (bag punch) Stitching awl stitching pony Harness needles Waxed Linen Thread Edge Slicker gum tragacanth harness leather latigo lace conchos (?) Tandy's Horse tack accessory patterns Robert Brenner- “How to establish prices...” Pete Gorrell- “The Business of Saddle Making” I'm looking forward to getting started. I will post pictures of my first bridle! I may end up keeping the first one for myself!

Wow, thanks so much! You have been very helpful. I want to start with something I am very interested in (horse tack), but later want to branch out to other things like holsters, wallets, bags, maybe even gloves. I do want to make a living out of this eventually. I have no need for mansions though, lol. I found the one by Gorrell, "The Business of Saddle Making". Do you have the title for the other one, as I couldn't find it? After reading your list, I started adjusting my tool list but I am finding it a bit overwhelming. What tools, needles, and thread do you recommend for making a simple bridle? I want to saddle stitch the buckles in, put in chicago screws or leather lace for the bit ends, and bevel and slick the edges. I was planning on using gum tragacanth for the edges. What do you recommend as a sealer/protectant for the rest of the bridle? Does it even need one since its harness leather? Thank you so much for your time. The information you have been giving me really is invaluable!

Thanks! Noted. I'm wondering if maybe I should forgo any stamping and do just a plain headstall? Should I buy harness leather and forget lining it? Yes this is my first project. If you sell your bridles, what do you normally sell them for? And if you don't, what would you want to sell them for? It seems that the cost is high to make a nice quality bridle. I have purchased decent quality bridles for between $40-$60 and am wondering how they manage to get away with that. Is that because of the use of machinery to make production faster?

Oops! I did not see the saddles and tack section, I will check that out.

Hello! I am just getting started in leathercrafting. I want to make horse tack, and maybe branch off into other areas later. I have extensively researched leathercrafting, so I've already got a pretty good idea of the steps and techniques involved. I want to make a western style headstall (bridle), as they are simple and somewhat similar to making belts. Basically what I want to do is a stamped design along the cheek pieces and possibly the browband as well. To do this, I know that I will need tooling leather at least for the stamped pieces. I wanted to line/glue and stitch the tooling leather on top of either harness or latigo leather, for its sturdiness and resistance to water/sweat. Is this a good plan? What size leather should I get? Should the tooling leather be heavier, or the lining? (ex. 8 oz tooling leather, 2 oz lining, or vice versa). Would it work if I went with a lighter tooling leather and heavier lining, since the latigo or harness I want to line with usually comes in heavier pieces? Also, can anyone give me an idea of how many items you can make out of a double shoulder or a side? Specifically how many straps you can get out of one, for belts or bridles, etc. My last question is on what tools I need. Making bridles is somewhat similar to making belts. I have made up a list here, if you all could tell me what is unnecessary (besides the leather marking pen) and what I don't have that I should have, I would greatly appreciate it! I want to be well prepared, but not buying more than I have to. Carving Stamp Leather Marking Pen Strap Cutter Leather punch Stitching punch or chisels Harness needles Thread Edge Slicker Skiver Edge Beveler Tandy's Horse tack accessory patterns Book on handstitching Thank you all so much for your time and input! I can't wait to learn leathercraft